Founding Business Development & Operations Lead — NYC (Beauty & Lifestyle)

About Curi AI
Curi AI helps brands understand what their customers really think, need, and want through AI-powered surveys and in-depth interviews. We turn customer conversations into actionable insights that support better product, marketing, and business decisions.
We are looking for an entrepreneurial, New York–based Business Development & Operations Lead to help build our presence in the U.S., focusing on beauty and lifestyle brands in Manhattan and the broader NYC market.
This is a fully remote, contract role with performance-based compensation and the potential for equity participation. While there is no office requirement, the role includes local client meetings and relevant industry events.
What You’ll Do
• Identify and connect with beauty and lifestyle brands that could benefit from Curi AI.
• Own the B2B sales process, from prospecting and introductions to discovery, product demonstrations, proposals, negotiation, and closing.
• Build relationships with founders, executives, and decision-makers in marketing, consumer insights, product development, and e-commerce.
• Manage client onboarding, coordinate project delivery with our team, and support ongoing client relationships.
• Drive renewals, account growth, and long-term partnerships.
• Translate client feedback into practical recommendations for our product and U.S. market strategy.
• Represent Curi AI at relevant meetings, industry events, and networking opportunities.
Who We’re Looking For
• Based in New York City, with strong knowledge of the Manhattan beauty and lifestyle business community.
• A proven track record in B2B sales, business development, partnerships, or account management.
• Relevant experience in beauty, skincare, cosmetics, wellness, lifestyle, consumer insights, or technology serving these industries.
• An established network of relevant decision-makers through professional relationships, industry communities, and/or university and alumni networks.
• The ability to turn relationships into qualified opportunities and paying clients.
• Strong operational skills, with the ability to manage onboarding, timelines, communication, and follow-through.
• Excellent professional English communication and presentation skills.
• Comfortable working independently, collaborating remotely with a Korea-based team, and taking ownership in an early-stage business.
• An entrepreneurial mindset and interest in building a long-term business with meaningful ownership potential.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience working with K-beauty brands or introducing Korean beauty products to the U.S. market.
• Relationships with beauty brands, retailers, distributors, agencies, or relevant industry organizations.
• Familiarity with Korea, Korean business culture, or collaboration with Korean teams.
• Korean language proficiency is a plus, but is not required.
• Experience selling SaaS, AI solutions, consumer research, or marketing technology.
Engagement & Compensation
• Contract engagement.
• Fully remote, with local client meetings and industry events as needed.
• Performance-based compensation tied to agreed sales and business milestones.
• Potential equity participation for a candidate who demonstrates sustained results, strategic contribution, and long-term commitment. Equity terms would be discussed and agreed separately.
How to Apply
Please share your resume or LinkedIn profile and a brief introduction covering:
• Your experience in B2B sales and the beauty or lifestyle industry.
• The types of brands and decision-makers you can reach through your network.
• An example of a deal, partnership, or client relationship you helped build.
• Any relevant experience with K-beauty, Korea, or Korean-speaking teams.
We’re looking for someone who can open doors, close business, and take care of clients—and who wants to help build Curi AI’s U.S. business from the ground up.

Work arrangement
Yes