Job Description
Founding COO
* Location: London (required)
* Role type: Full-time
* Start date: April 2026
* Compensation: Competitive base + meaningful equity
About HOWL
HOWL is a platform for pleasure: a sexual wellness CPG and nightlife events company on a mission to revolutionise intimacy for all genders and sexualities.
Born out of an underground queer rave in 2021, HOWL relaunched in January 2025 as an investor-backed startup. In the past 12 months, we've:
* Hit 135% of our 2025 revenue target
* Secured retail listings with Ann Summers and Selfridges
* Won Best Lube and Emerging Brand of the Year
* Delivered activations at Barbican, Whole Festival, Body Movements, and Maiden Voyage
* Launched capsule collections with Shygirl, Jade, and Luis de Javier
* Partnered with The Standard London
We've built a 40k+ community, organised 23 events, launched an award-winning lube, and created a media presence at the intersection of music and pleasure. 2026 is a landmark year: new product launches, international events (Berlin, NYC), targeted retail expansion, and a Seed round to scale the team.
The Role
Founder & CEO Samuel Douek has built HOWL from a DIY rave into an investor-backed brand with real traction. He's the vision, brand, and partnerships engine. Now he needs an operational counterpart to build the infrastructure that scales it.
This is a Founding COO role - you'll own the operational, financial, and commercial backbone of the business while Samuel leads brand, creative, and external partnerships.
This is the right role for someone who wants to build something meaningful, not just manage it. You'll have significant equity and a genuine path to shape the company's future.
What You'll Own
Operations & Supply Chain
* Manufacturing relationships, logistics, inventory, fulfilment
* Build systems that scale as product lines expand
Finance & Commercial
* Financial modelling, forecasting, cash management
* Sales and commercial business development (retail, B2B, D2C)
* Support fundraising with investor materials, data rooms, and due diligence
Team & HR
* Hiring, onboarding, performance management
* Build the team infrastructure as we grow from 5 to 10+
Product Development
* Work with Samuel on product roadmap and go-to-market
* Manage timelines, suppliers, and margin targets
What We're Looking For
Must-haves:
* 3-5+ years in CPG, consumer goods, or a relevant operational role
* Experience in a startup or high-growth environment (small team, ambiguity, pace)
* Strong financial and commercial acumen - you can build a model and close a deal
* Proven ability to build systems, processes, and teams from scratch
* London-based, full-time, in-person
Nice-to-haves:
* Fundraising experience (Pre-Seed, Seed, or Series A)
* Network of CPG retailers or buyers (wellness, beauty, fashion)
* Interest in nightlife, sexual wellness, LGBTQ+ health, or adjacent spaces
* Familiarity with HOWL's community, events, or products
What We're Not Looking For
* Someone who needs a playbook handed to them
* A pure strategist who won't get hands dirty
* Anyone uncomfortable being the operational engine while someone else is the public face
Why This Role
* Meaningful equity in a company with traction, not a slide deck
* Genuine ownership — you'll build the operational foundation, not inherit it
* A brand with momentum — awards, retail, press, community, and a clear cultural position
* A Founder who knows what he is and isn't — Samuel wants a partner to run the engine, not compete for the spotlight
How to Apply
Send a short note on why this role interests you and your CV to chris@howlworldwide.com
No cover letter template. Just tell us what you'd bring and why HOWL.