Chief of Staff

🌊 Who we are?

At Aquablu, we’re disrupting the marketplace with a revolutionary (flavored) water system. Founded in 2018 by Marnix and Marc, our mission is to provide a healthy yet tasty alternative to soft drinks. Since launching our flagship system, Aquablu REFILL, in 2023, we’ve experienced 300%+ year-over-year growth, expanded to 16 countries, and were named the Fastest Growing Tech Company in Health & Wellness in the Netherlands.

About the role

This is a high-impact role at the center of the business: you’ll help translate vision into execution, run goal tracking and leadership processes, and drive cross-functional initiatives that move the company forward. From strategic projects and investor communications to keeping the leadership team aligned and accountable, you’ll act as a trusted advisor and force multiplier to the CEO.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Partner to CEO & Leadership

• Track progress on company goals and ensure accountability across the leadership team.
• Run leadership meetings (agenda, decisions, follow-up).
• Act as a trusted advisor and problem-solver to the CEO.
• Prepare briefings, decision docs, and action trackers.

2. Cross-Functional Strategic Projects

• Lead company-wide initiatives (e.g., new markets, values rollout, offsites).
• Align stakeholders, set success metrics, and ensure on-time, on-budget delivery.
• Coordinate execution across teams (e.g., Product, Sales, Marketing, Engineering).

3. Communication & Alignment

• Own company goal-setting and tracking; ensure team goals align with strategy.
• Design and run internal comms: All-Hands, updates, decision frameworks.
• Ensure teams are aligned on priorities and progress; lead change management and feedback loops.
• Work closely with the CEO and CFO in investor relationship management and communication.

4. People Strategy & Culture

• Lead People & Culture and act as HRBP to leadership and key teams.
• Monitor and improve engagement, retention, and culture health.
• Coach managers and run team development programs (mentorship, offsites, rituals).

About you:

• 5-10 years of experience in consulting, tech, operations, people/HR, or another role with strong leadership and cross-functional exposure.
• Ability to translate executive vision into clear priorities and lead cross-functional execution.
• Strong communicator: confident in exec meetings, company-wide sessions, and written updates.
• Proven experience driving initiatives in culture, compensation & benefits, engagement, or performance.
• Skilled at influencing senior stakeholders and leading change in a fast-moving, scaling environment.
• Strong project management skills: able to juggle multiple priorities, drive completion, and hold others accountable.
• Analytical and structured thinker who can break complex problems into actionable steps.
• High EQ and relationship-building skills; comfortable working closely with C-level leaders and teams across the org.
• Startup or scale-up experience is a plus, especially in lean or fast-growth environments.
• Bonus: experience with investor/board communications, goal-tracking tools (Asana/OKRs), or organizing company-wide events.

Why this role?

This is a rocket-ship role for someone who wants to become a future COO, CHRO, or even CEO.

• Gain company-wide exposure: finance, product, marketing, people—not just one silo.
• Own complex, cross-functional projects that sharpen strategic and operational skills.
• Lead projects visible at the highest levels and that ripple across the company.
• Enjoy the unique combination of strategic influence and hands-on delivery.

Why Aquablu?

📈 Equity through our Aquablu for All plan: it’s not just about shares, it’s about shared success.

🎯 Purpose with Impact: shape how the world hydrates while wiping out single-use plastics.

📋 Scale-up pace means fresh challenges (and new skills) every quarter.

🤝 Join an ambitious, bold, and fun crew that’s always got your back.

🌱 Company-sponsored gym membership keeps mind and body in sync.

💰 Pension plan with Zwitserleven (50/50 split) so you grow while your savings do, too.