Describe the result, not the job title
A title can hide an undefined job. Start with the result that must happen consistently and the decision rights the person would need. If you cannot explain the handoff in plain language, the role is not ready.
- Write the outcome the role owns by a specific date.
- List the work that stays with the founder.
- Name the weekly evidence that shows the role is working.
Test whether the constraint is real
A founder being busy is not enough proof that a hire is the answer. Look for the same work becoming the bottleneck, a customer promise being missed, or a revenue-producing task consistently delayed.
- Track the repeated work for two representative weeks.
- Separate lack of process from lack of capacity.
- Consider a scoped contractor trial when the work is still uncertain.
Price the decision beyond salary
The real commitment includes onboarding time, management attention, tools, and the runway needed for the role to become productive. Compare that to the cost of delaying the outcome.
- Set the minimum runway protected after the commitment.
- State the first milestone before opening the role.
- Define what would make you pause, narrow, or stop the search.