Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Business Operations Generalist

at Constellation

🏢 About Constellation

Constellation is a unique physical hub in Berkeley that brings together over 250 AI safety researchers and professionals weekly across dozens of organizations. Unlike typical research centers, it focuses on accelerating collaboration and talent development within the AI safety ecosystem through shared workspace and operational support. Someone might want to work here to be at the intersection of AI safety operations while supporting multiple cutting-edge organizations in one collaborative environment.

About This Role

This Senior Business Operations Generalist role involves managing day-to-day accounting, ensuring nonprofit compliance, and building operational processes while directly supporting Constellation's network of AI safety organizations with finance, HR, and payroll services. The role is impactful because it enables multiple AI safety organizations to function efficiently by providing centralized operational expertise, allowing researchers to focus on their core mission of AI safety research and collaboration.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve reviewing and processing financial transactions for multiple AI safety organizations, updating compliance documentation for nonprofit requirements, meeting with member organizations to understand their HR or payroll needs, and documenting improved operational processes. You'd likely collaborate with researchers and administrators across different organizations while ensuring all business operations run smoothly and compliantly.

🚀 Application Tools

Generate Cover Letter

AI-powered, tailored for Constellation

Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who Constellation Is Looking For

  • Has 3-5 years of nonprofit accounting experience with specific knowledge of 501(c)(3) compliance, governance requirements, and legal obligations
  • Demonstrates experience building and documenting operational processes across multiple business functions (finance, HR, payroll) in a collaborative environment
  • Possesses strong service orientation with experience supporting multiple organizations or departments simultaneously
  • Shows genuine interest in AI safety ecosystem and ability to work effectively with technical researchers and nonprofit professionals

📝 Tips for Applying to Constellation

1

Highlight specific experience with nonprofit accounting compliance (501(c)(3), governance documents, annual filings) rather than just general accounting

2

Demonstrate experience supporting multiple organizations or departments simultaneously, as this role serves Constellation's network of AI safety groups

3

Show process improvement examples specifically in operational functions (finance, HR, payroll) with measurable outcomes

4

Research and mention specific AI safety organizations that use Constellation's space to show genuine ecosystem knowledge

5

Emphasize experience with documentation and knowledge transfer, as this role involves building systems for multiple organizations

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Specific examples of nonprofit compliance experience and how you've ensured organizations met legal obligations", 'Demonstrated ability to build operational processes that improved efficiency across multiple business functions', 'Experience serving multiple stakeholders or organizations simultaneously with finance, HR, or payroll administration', 'Genuine interest in AI safety and how operational excellence enables research impact']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Explore Constellation's website to understand their specific model of supporting multiple AI safety organizations
  • → Research which AI safety organizations use Constellation's space (mentioned on their site or through AI safety community resources)
  • → Understand the specific compliance requirements for 501(c)(3) nonprofits in California
  • → Learn about current trends and challenges in the AI safety ecosystem to understand the context of the organizations you'd be supporting

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through your experience with nonprofit accounting compliance and annual reporting requirements
2 How would you design an operational process to serve multiple organizations with different needs in finance and HR?
3 Describe a time you had to balance competing priorities when supporting multiple departments or organizations
4 What experience do you have documenting processes for knowledge transfer and continuity?
5 How would you approach building trust and providing services to technical AI safety researchers who may prioritize research over operations?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying with only for-profit business operations experience without addressing nonprofit compliance requirements
  • Failing to demonstrate experience supporting multiple stakeholders or organizations simultaneously
  • Showing no knowledge or interest in the AI safety ecosystem that Constellation serves
  • Focusing only on accounting without addressing the broader operational process building and documentation aspects

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Constellation!

← Back to Job Listing Apply Now →