Chief of Staff and Product Specialist

KNR <> ZORPA.Ai
Position: Chief of Staff & Product Specialist
Onsite Location: Gurgaon, India
About KNR & Zorpa.ai
KNR is an executive search firm built on deep specialization in senior talent placement. Zorpa.ai is KNR's venture, an early-stage, AI-native HR tech startup building an end-to-end platform spanning HRIS, ATS, sourcing & recruitment, video interviewing, and employer branding. KNR serves as Zorpa's design partner and early customer, which gives this role a direct line between real-world search operations and product development.
About the Role
We're looking for a versatile operator to serve as Chief of Staff at KNR while also acting as a Product Specialist for Zorpa.ai. You'll split your time between running point on strategic and operational priorities at KNR, and translating that on-the-ground recruitment expertise into product input for Zorpa. This is a rare dual-vantage-point role for someone who wants direct founder access, real ownership, and exposure to both a specialized services business and an early-stage AI product.
Key Responsibilities:
As Chief of Staff, KNR
Partner directly with the founder on strategic priorities and special projects
Drive operational efficiency and process improvement across the search practice
Own key internal reporting, planning, and cross-functional coordination
Represent leadership in select client and partner conversations
Support research, business development initiatives regularly
As Product Specialist, Zorpa.ai
Translate KNR's recruitment and executive search expertise into product requirements and feedback for Zorpa
Support product research, specification, and testing across the modules in Zorpa
Help pilot new Zorpa features within KNR's own workflows as an early design-partner testing loop
Conduct competitive and market research across HR-tech and AI recruiting
Enable the GTM strategy for the launch and include in the core team
Turn customer and user feedback into structured input for the product roadmap
What We're Looking For
Experience in an operational, chief-of-staff, or business-operations role; ideally in professional services, search/staffing, or a startup
Strong interest in product, technology, or HR-tech specifically
Excellent communication, organization, and stakeholder management skills
Comfort working directly with founders and switching context between two organizations
Analytical mindset and comfort with ambiguity
Bachelor's degree; MBA a plus, not required
Nice to Have
Prior experience in recruitment, executive search, or HR-tech
Experience contributing to product development: specs, user research, or beta testing
Familiarity with AI-native SaaS products
What We Offer
A rare dual-vantage-point role: real operational ownership at KNR plus early-stage product exposure at Zorpa
Direct access to founder and leadership across both ventures
Competitive salary plus equity in Zorpa
Fast-paced, high-ownership environment

Work arrangement
No