Hey, I'm Lauren! 👋🏼

I've been hanging around Cloudsmith as Chief of Staff since early 2021. As employee #7 I've morphed into one of the few company historians at this point. It's such an exciting part of my role now to welcome new colleagues, at the most important point of the company's history and vital growth journey, providing context and sharing the how we got here story to new colleagues. There has never been a better time to join Cloudsmith!

What Does A Chief of Staff Do?

Whatever is required! Let's be honest, it's hard to explain;

Q: What do you do here?

A: YES 😜

🪛 Operations Optimisations. I've always had passion for operations and making things happen (and quickly). Managing the elimination or automation of operational processes to support the entire company and making sure strategic objectives are seamlessly translated into operational reality. That involves facilitating strategic planning sessions and coordinating cross-functional business rhythms - regular, scheduled meetings focused on strategic alignment and operational review. And of course, the social activities around the strategic sessions!

❤️ Business BFF. Cloudsmith is full of varying personalities, expertise and cultures. It's my business to make myself all of their BFFs! A safe space, a neutral party, an ally. I'm so passionate about our people and I need them to know that.

🤓 A business nerd. I'm naturally inquisitive (nosey!) but unshakeably loyal. I love to know how the secret sauce is made. I have always had the advantage of holding the key to the Cloudsmith company safe, with eyes on both the high level and the day to day. Seeing the big picture and understanding the why, allows me to provide context in the most appropriate way when my colleagues have questions. I love learning from my colleagues and I don't exaggerate when I say they blow my mind on a daily basis.

🧑‍🏫 Appreciation for software security. I don't claim to understand our platform in critical detail, we have legendary engineers to do that for us, but we are all believers in the power of an efficiently run service that makes developers lives easier and secure.

🔪 A human Swiss army knife. We have a bunch of important teams - engineering, growth, customer success, product, operations. I bounce between all of these different functions. No two days are the same - thats the ultimate beauty of my role. We're a busy team with lots on our plates. Planning ahead of time is my specialty so I'm always on the bench for every team, anything they need I'll jump in - I cover any position needed on all of the pitches!

🪖 An Army of One (with lots of friends). Cloudsmith is, by comparison, not YET a big company. We don't have legions of HR people or help desk operators standing by. We're still growing. My role is scrappy, DIY and finding solutions to things that come up. And recruiting internal experts around the company when I need help! See Business BFF above, all my pals are always willing to help!

💙 Cloudsmithers’ Champion: Colleagues’ biggest fan and company cheerleader. Diversity, equality and inclusion are always top of mind. Empathy and understanding are a necessity in my role. Working with HR to adjust language in job ads, creating policies, laying out processes and accessing training where required to support new initiatives. Acting as a neutral party to listen, advise, counsel, taking the Cloudsmither temperature at all times. As CoS, I strive to foster an environment where all voices are heard, and everyone feels valued and included. Pushing positive vibes in every direction!

🚀 Program Manager for Business Ops. I sit across the HR, IT, Recruitment and Administration functions to act as the driver of processes, planning, people, positivity - assisting in any way for the greater good. All the while driving company values and providing context.

🧦 Master of Swag. I have an actual vault full of in-demand goodies! The most favourite part of my job is acting as personal shopper and keeping everyone looking sharp at Cloudsmith. I'm also Chief Lego Builder here - but you'll have to join us to understand that inner role!  👀

How Did You Find Cloudsmith?

Are you sitting down? It's quite the story!

A long version on why and how is pinned to my LinkedIn for that one time I manifested my inner Sarah Jessica Parker to write a blog after my first year at Cloudsmith - here 

The short version: I wasn't built for school, I went for the craic. I wanted to work - I took my first full time role at 18 years old in a large government org and worked my way up through various roles and departments - mainly in Business Admin and Human Resources. After 12 years, I was still trying to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up (still am!), I took on a few contracts and projects helping build teams and processes. 

THEN... a job description landed on my LinkedIn feed and I read it thinking "that's me". I applied, found my people, and jumped in 5 weeks later! 

That was four years ago. I was employee number 7, we've had a whirlwind journey.. but they're still 100% my people (of which there are now many more of) and this is where I'm meant to be...

The collective Noun of Cloudsmith people: Cloudsmithers! (Class of 2024)

Who Is Lauren Outside of Cloudsmith?

Probably still wearing her Cloudsmith hoodie! 💙

Personally, I love to travel as much as I possibly can - my laptop is also well travelled! This is where I mention our amazing flexible working policies 😉 as a remote-first company, I reap the benefits of spending some of my week at Cloudsmith HQ in Belfast, but I also adore that I can base myself from home, or on location (critically, with sunshine) and work just as productively.

I'm an Airbnb (super)host and a huge music lover & avid gig goer. I love a good podcast, autobiography or TEDTalk - grabbing inspo anywhere I can find it.

I have strong beliefs on inclusivity in the world, managing work-life balance and protecting our planet. 

I love deep conversations about life, and learning from the awesome people I surround myself with!  I'm constantly promoting positivity where possible... Always striving to be a kick-ass ray of sunshine!

Home is Northern Ireland with my husband Paul and our furbaby Poppy. You'll mostly find us walking beaches in all weathers.

Side note: Poppy is a regular at Cloudsmith HQ and a bit of a local celeb - you'll find her in random adverts for our Cloudsmith HQ and has a fairly active social life on Instagram! I don't know how she finds the time tbh 😜

So... Have I convinced you enough with awesome swag, cute pets, amazing people?

If you've got the passion, the capability, and the will to build something truly remarkable, all while owning a slice of the pie; then connect with us, apply to join, and find your own people.

If you still have questions, add me on LinkedIn and drop me a message.

Looking forward to meeting you!

- Lauren

Check out our Life at Cloudsmith video to get a vibe of us and hear from a few of the team about the reality and what we're about...