Job Specifications
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.