Head of People

Prolific Machines is ushering in a new era of biotechnology with light. We harness light to produce everyday essentials more efficiently, from food and lifesaving drugs to novel biosolutions. Our first-of-its-kind photomolecular biology platform delivers unprecedented control, precisely guiding cellular behavior when and where it matters most. Unlike existing tools used to control biology, our technology unlocks dynamic control over virtually any cellular function in any cell type. We're enabling partners to unlock robust efficiency, quality, reproducibility, and sustainability advantages across pharmaceuticals, nutritional and therapeutic proteins, cellular agriculture, and more. Prolific is supported by leading investors, including Bill Gates’s Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Mayfield and SOSV. Help us create a brighter tomorrow with biology. We're looking for mission-driven, talented, and kind people to join our team. About this job We are seeking a Head of People to lead our human resources and organizational development . This role is crucial for cultivating our company culture, effectively managing performance and expectations, and aligning our workforce with our strategic objectives and company mission. You will be responsible for developing and implementing long-term strategies that support our ambitious growth while being actively engaged in everyday happenings at the office. As the Head of People, you will be a key member of the leadership team, driving organizational effectiveness and change management initiatives. You will design and oversee development programs that enhance both technical and interpersonal skills across the organization, ensuring these programs support career growth and leadership development at all levels. Your mission will include cultivating a vibrant, equitable, inclusive company culture and managing all HR operations to create a supportive and dynamic work environment. Responsibilities

• Organizational Health: Implement innovative practices and systems (including values, expectation setting, etc.) that improve the overall health and effectiveness of the organization. This includes developing clear metrics for success and maintaining high standards of work and productivity
• Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute a people strategy that aligns with the company's vision and strategic objectives. Serve as a key member of the leadership team to drive organizational effectiveness and change management initiatives
• Performance Management and Compensation Strategy: Redesign and administer a comprehensive performance management system that drives organizational performance and own Compensation Strategy development
• Talent Development: Oversee the design and delivery of development programs that enhance both technical and interpersonal skills across the organization. Ensure these programs support career growth and leadership development at all levels. Additionally, coordinate the recruitment process from end-to-end, ensuring we hire in top talent
• Culture and Engagement: Cultivate a vibrant and inclusive company culture, with a strong focus on DE&I . Develop initiatives that enhance employee engagement and ensure a work environment that attracts, motivates, and retains top talent
• HR Operations: Oversee all HR operations including recruitment, compensation, benefits, employee relations, and compliance. Ensure HR practices are equitable, compliant with regulatory requirements, and align with industry best practices
  
  
  

About You

• Communication: Clear, direct communicator in both verbal and written forms. Comfortable presenting information to large groups (ex: all-hands) and senior leadership forums. Builds trust and demonstrates empathy when appropriate.
• Organizational Skills: Demonstrated ability to drive programs and build HR frameworks in the context of a startup. Understands the right level of policy/procedure to work within a startup and is open to tuning their approach based on feedback and other inputs.
• People/ Teamwork/Collaboration: Demonstrated skills in active listening, conflict resolution, and emotional intelligence.
• Budgeting: Develop and manage an HR budget, ensuring cost-effective utilization of resources and ability to allocate resources strategically to support HR initiatives / operations
• Employment Law & Compliance: Well-versed in employment law and regulatory compliance, including staying current with labor legislation, understanding the implications of new laws on the organization, and ensuring that company policies and practices are compliant. This minimizes legal risks and protects Prolific from potential litigation
• Technological Proficiency & Data Analytics: Leverage HR Information Systems (HRIS), understand data analytics to make evidence-based decisions, and stay abreast of technological advancements that can streamline HR processes ( gain insights into workforce trends, measure the impact of HR initiatives, and enhance overall operational efficiency)
• Leadership: Comfortable with representing the needs of the company (legal and employment policy compliance) and the needs of the staff (career growth, actively seeks to know the ‘pulse’ of the company,).
• Courage and Curiosity : Ability to represent diverse viewpoints and push back against both leadership and employees. Ability to look at situations and issues from stakeholders perspective and provide resolve that benefits all stakeholders (including external)
• Authenticity: Operates out of a place of authentic self awareness in order to build trust and connection. Drives to provide space where the entire team feels motivated and inspired.Demonstrated experience in developing, implementing, and leading HR strategies that have positively impacted employee engagement and business outcomes
• Diversity: Demonstrated commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace
• Experience: At least 5 years of HR experience with at least 3 years in a leadership role
• Experience with high-growth, fast-paced startups is highly desirable
• Experience with deep tech R&D teams (ex: Biotechnology/Pharma/ CleanTech, Novel Proteins) is highly desirable
  
  
  

Diversity: We value diverse people, perspectives, and knowledge. To this end, we aim to foster a sense of belonging that enables everyone to bring their whole, authentic self to work everyday. We are committed to growing a diverse and inclusive team that encompasses all types of people. We believe this can only be achieved by acknowledging the ancestral, historic, and current systemic and communal inequities. Location: The San Francisco Bay Area (Emeryville, CA) Benefits: Outstanding Health, Vision & Dental Insurance (including full spouse coverage), at least one all-expense-paid team holiday per year, flexibility in schedule and unlimited vacation days. Free lunch every day! - Equity in the form of common stock (subject to vesting) - Performance-based bonus