Director, People & Talent Operations

Manifold Bio is a platform biotechnology company pioneering AI-guided protein design and massively multiplexed in vivo screening to unlock tissue-targeted medicines and organism-scale models of living systems. Using proprietary molecular barcoding technology, we screen hundreds of thousands of protein designs simultaneously in living systems, producing in vivo-validated datasets at a scale no one else can match. The datasets power our computational models, which leads to better drug designs, creating a flywheel that gets stronger with every campaign. Our team of protein engineers, biologists, and computational scientists works across this full stack to pursue programs both internally and with leading pharma companies. Position Come join Manifold as our first full-time People & Talent professional, reporting to the COO. Fueled by a new research collaboration with Roche, we are in the midst of a rapid growth spurt from 35 to 60+ employees, and will be looking to you to help us scale gracefully and efficiently while maintaining all that we love in our onsite culture. You ideally have startup experience in discovery stage biotech, though experience scaling a successful tech company would also be relevant. The ability to flex between talent acquisition, development, employee relations, and compensation planning, and are curious about ways to use technology like Greenhouse, Google Workspace, and AI applications to make life easier. You balance empathetic people leadership with sharp business judgment and creative problem-solving. Responsibilities Responsible for maintaining and evolving a high-functioning People organization Lead our talent acquisition processes from sourcing to offer acceptance Lead employee onboarding and offboarding across all stages, ensuring seamless transitions and compliance  Maintain and update employee records, ensuring data accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance with regulatory requirements  Spearhead the performance management process, including managing frameworks, compensation planning, promotion cycles, and career progression pathways aligned with company growth Provide leadership coaching and development to managers and employees, promoting a culture of continuous learning and growth Manage company benefits, including annual renewals, employee communications, and enrollment  Drive employee engagement initiatives and recognition programs, fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture Qualifications Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, human resources, business administration or related field 10+ years of progressive HR leadership experience with demonstrated success in building HR functions Experience at a high growth startup in the biotech (or tech) industry strongly preferred Strong understanding of comprehensive HR operations including employee benefits, talent acquisition, and people systems Excellent organizational and leadership skills with high attention to detail Proven track record maintaining confidentiality with sensitive employee information Demonstrated ability to serve as a culture ambassador  Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with ability to work effectively across all levels of the organization Hands-on experience building new programs from the ground up Ability to develop pragmatic, fit-for-purpose programs that demonstrate immediate impact Experience with / ability to quickly master administrative programs such as Greenhouse, Gusto, Carta or other programs Base Salary Range: $150,000-278,000 This reflects the typical offer range for this role, based on experience, role scope, and internal equity. Final compensation decisions are made using a consistent leveling framework and consider the candidate’s experience, interview performance, and expected impact. This role is eligible for: Annual performance-based target bonus Stock options Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage 401(k) plan Flexible paid time off and holidays Perks including on-site gym, onsite lunch, and commuter support Our compensation ranges are reviewed annually to ensure alignment with market trends and internal equity. We value different experiences and ways of thinking and believe the most talented teams are built by bringing together people of diverse cultures, genders, and backgrounds. Offices: Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Boston Office);