Hybrid General Manager - Applications Business Unit na Shakudo
Shakudo · Toronto, ON, Estados Unidos Da América · Hybrid
- Escritório em Toronto, ON
Shakudo is the operating system for data and AI, providing enterprises with production-ready AI and data infrastructure that combines the flexibility of custom-built stacks with the reliability of managed platforms. Founded in 2021 by Yevgeniy Vahlis, Stella Wu, and Christine Yuen, our Toronto-based company has raised $11.1M in funding and serves enterprise customers across aerospace, automotive, financial services, healthcare, and technology sectors.
We're executing a strategic pivot from small-account software licensing to enterprise-scale platform deployments, targeting $10M+ ARR within 24 months. Our platform integrates 200+ best-in-class data and AI tools, enabling organizations to transition from notebook to production with zero DevOps overhead.
## The Opportunity
As our **first General Manager hire**, you'll lead the Applications Business Unit - one of five distinct revenue-generating business units at Shakudo. This is a foundational role in our NVIDIA-inspired organizational structure, where each GM operates with full P&L responsibility and autonomous decision-making authority.
The Applications business unit focuses on **point solutions for specific use cases built on Shakudo** - standalone applications addressing targeted business problems for departments and teams needing ready-to-use solutions. This represents a strategic opportunity to build and scale a dedicated revenue stream targeting customers who need immediate value without full platform implementation.
## Key Responsibilities
### P&L Management
- Own complete P&L responsibility for the Applications business unit
- Drive revenue growth from $0 to meaningful contribution within 12 months
- Manage unit economics, pricing strategy, and profitability metrics
- Report directly to CEO with full autonomy over business decisions
### Product & Go-to-Market Strategy
- Define and execute product strategy for standalone applications built on Shakudo
- Identify high-value use cases and market opportunities for point solutions
- Develop ready-to-use applications that serve as compelling sales anchors
- Create pricing and packaging models specific to application offerings
### Team Building & Leadership
- Build and lead a dedicated team for the Applications business unit
- Recruit and manage product managers, engineers, and sales specialists
- Foster cross-functional collaboration while maintaining unit independence
- Establish success metrics and KPIs specific to applications business
### Customer Development
- Engage directly with target customers (departments and teams)
- Understand specific business problems addressable through point solutions
- Drive customer discovery, validation, and feedback loops
- Ensure applications deliver measurable time-to-value improvements
### Market Execution
- Develop and execute go-to-market strategies for application launches
- Create sales enablement materials and competitive positioning
- Build strategic partnerships relevant to application distribution
- Drive demand generation activities specific to applications market
## Required Qualifications
### Ex-Founder Preferred
We strongly prioritize candidates who are **ex-founders** with either:
- Raised $1M+ in venture funding, OR
- Generated $500K+ in revenue for their company
Ex-founders align perfectly with our GM strategy because they're naturally autonomous problem-solvers accustomed to full P&L responsibility, experienced building from zero with limited resources, and understand the urgency required in venture-scale growth.
### Core Requirements
- 5+ years of experience in B2B software, data/AI platforms, or enterprise applications
- Proven track record of building and scaling revenue-generating business units
- Experience with product-led growth and application/solution marketing
- Strong understanding of enterprise software sales cycles and customer success
- Data-driven approach to business metrics, unit economics, and growth optimization
### Technical Background
- Understanding of data and AI infrastructure, modern data stacks
- Experience with enterprise software platforms and API ecosystems
- Familiarity with DevOps, MLOps, or data engineering workflows
- Ability to communicate effectively with technical customers and internal teams
### Leadership & Execution
- Demonstrated ability to operate independently with minimal oversight
- Experience managing cross-functional teams and complex initiatives
- Strong communication skills for CEO reporting and customer engagement
- Proven ability to adapt quickly in high-growth, evolving environments
## Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience at a high-growth B2B SaaS company ($10M+ ARR)
- Background in data infrastructure, AI/ML platforms, or developer tools
- Experience with enterprise sales and customer success at $100K+ ACV
- Technical background in software engineering or data science
- MBA or equivalent business strategy experience
- International market expansion experience
## What Success Looks Like
### 90 Days
- Complete market analysis and competitive positioning for applications business
- Define initial product roadmap and pricing strategy
- Begin customer discovery interviews and use case validation
- Establish key metrics and reporting framework for the business unit
### 6 Months
- Launch first standalone application with measurable customer traction
- Build initial team of 2-3 dedicated resources (PM, engineer, sales)
- Generate first revenue and establish unit economics model
- Create scalable go-to-market processes and customer success framework
### 12 Months
- Achieve meaningful revenue contribution to overall company ARR
- Scale applications business to multiple product offerings
- Build dedicated customer base with high retention and satisfaction
- Establish Applications as a distinct, profitable business unit within Shakudo
## Our Culture & Values
### NVIDIA-Inspired Organization
-**Flat, mission-driven structure** with minimal hierarchical layers
-**Autonomous leadership** with full accountability and decision-making authority
-**Cross-functional collaboration** while maintaining business unit independence
### Global Talent Strategy
-**Worldwide recruitment** to attract the best talent regardless of geography
-**Immigration support** through Canada's Express Entry program for strategic hires
-**Remote-friendly** culture with comprehensive relocation assistance
### Venture-Scale Growth Mindset
- Aggressive growth targets with venture-scale expectations
- Data-driven decision making with real-time metrics and accountability
- Rapid iteration and adaptation in a fast-evolving market
## Compensation & Benefits
-**Base Salary:** $150,000 - $200,000 CAD
-**Equity:** Meaningful equity package aligned with venture-scale growth
-**Performance Bonus:** Tied to Applications business unit revenue and profitability
-**Immigration Support:** Comprehensive visa and relocation assistance for international candidates
-**Professional Development:** Budget for conferences, training, and continuous learning
-**Health & Wellness:** Comprehensive health coverage and wellness programs
