General Manager, Startpage

About Startpage:   Startpage is System1’s flagship privacy technology brand, delivering high-quality private search, browsing, and AI experiences to millions worldwide. Founded in the Netherlands and built on privacy-by-design, Startpage operates the world’s second-largest private search engine for users who demand a safer, better web.   Startpage is a profitable, scaled global business generating significant revenue, gross profit, and EBITDA, with a loyal and growing international user base.   Search is undergoing its most significant transformation in decades. AI is redefining how users discover information, how platforms monetize attention, and how digital businesses are built and operated. We are seeking a General Manager to lead Startpage’s AI transformation — rearchitecting product, growth, monetization, and operations to build the leading AI-native, privacy-first search platform globally.   Role Overview:   The General Manager is the full P&L owner of Startpage.  You will own and drive the operating plan and financial performance of a profitable business while aggressively evolving its strategy to compete in the AI-driven future of search.   This role requires balancing bold transformation with financial discipline — driving innovation while protecting profitability, brand trust, and capital efficiency.   The GM must view AI not as a feature layer, but as core infrastructure shaping product, growth systems, monetization, and operating workflows.  You will operate with an owner mentality — running Startpage as a standalone business with founder-level accountability, supported by the scale and resources of System1.   Core Mandate:   ·   Transform Startpage into an AI-native search and discovery platform ·   Redefine privacy-first search experiences beyond traditional query-response models ·   Reinvent monetization models for AI-enhanced search ·   Embed AI into core operating workflows across product, marketing, analytics, and operations ·   Deliver sustained user and query growth while maintaining disciplined profitability     This position is an onsite role requiring you to work in our headquarters located at 4235 Redwood Ave. Los Angeles, CA  90066.  

Growth & Distribution Acceleration:

• Drive global user and query growth through product expansion, performance marketing, lifecycle initiatives, and content/community strategies.
• Expand distribution via browsers, OEMs, privacy platforms, and publishers.
• Originate, structure, negotiate, and close high-impact strategic partnerships.
• Increase experimentation velocity through AI-assisted insights and automation.
 

AI-Native Product Reinvention:

• Define and execute the long-term vision and multi-quarter roadmap for AI-enhanced, privacy-first search and browsing experiences.
• Develop differentiated AI-powered user experiences within privacy-by-design principles.
• Evaluate build, partner, and acquisition strategies for AI capabilities.
• Ensure AI innovation enhances trust, transparency, and user control.

Monetization & Financial Discipline:

• Reimagine monetization models for AI-enhanced search experiences.
• Optimize yield with search, advertising, and feed partners while maintaining privacy alignment.
• Drive disciplined forecasting, capital allocation, and margin management.
• Improve unit economics and long-term scalability.
• Deliver transformation while protecting EBITDA and financial resilience.

AI-Augmented Operating Model:

• Redesign internal workflows to be AI-first across product, growth, analytics, and operations.
• Shorten build-test-scale cycles through automation and intelligent tooling.

Leadership & Cultural Transformation:

• Build and lead an AI-fluent, high-performance leadership team.
• Foster a culture of experimentation, speed, accountability, and intelligent risk-taking.
• Recruit and develop talent that thrives in AI-native environments.
• Serve as a credible spokesperson for Startpage with users, partners, media, and the global privacy community.

What Success Looks Like (24–36 Months):

• Meaningful acceleration in global DAU/MAU and query growth
• Clear AI-differentiated product experiences
• Faster product iteration cycles and experimentation velocity
• Expanded global distribution partnerships
• Improved monetization yield and scalable unit economics
• AI embedded across core operating workflows
• Strengthened market position as the leading scaled privacy-first alternative

What You’ll Bring:

• 5+ years of experience in consumer internet, search, AI products, private search, or high-growth digital platforms.