COMPANY DESCRIPTION
At Genomines, our mission is to pioneer a new era of sustainable metal production by farming plants
that hyperaccumulate metal. Through synthetic biology and cutting-edge technology, we harness the power of nature to create plants that can farm for metals while decontaminating soils and creating cleaner lands for agriculture. Our ultimate goal is to become the world's first carbon-negative nickel producer, using sustainable, eco-friendly methods to extract the valuable resources our society needs for the energy transition.
ROLE OVERVIEW
We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced HR & People Lead to establish and lead the HR function at Genomines. As one of the first people-focused hires, this role will be responsible for building the department from the ground up, designing and implementing HR processes, and supporting the leadership team in scaling the company. The ideal profile excels in a fast-paced environment, is highly organized, has experience recruiting and onboarding highly technical profiles, and has previous experience in HR & people functions at an early or growth-stage start up. The role will report directly to the CEO and co-founder.
The HR & People Lead will own all aspects of the employee lifecycle – from recruitment to onboarding, performance management, career development, and strengthening our culture team building activities – while ensuring compliance with labor laws in our countries of operation (France and South Africa). As the company expands into new geographies, the HR & People Lead will be responsible for ensuring the company culture is embedded in newly established subsidiaries and building out the first local hires.
The HR & People Lead will be expected to establish company best practices that serve as the HR infrastructure suitable for a fast-growing Series A company. The HR & People Lead will also be responsible for establishing a strong employer brand to attract top talent in biotech, operational, and corporate development functions.
RESPONSIBILITIESRECRUITMENT MANAGEMENTBuild and maintain a preferred recruiters listNegotiate recruiter contracts and manage vendor relationshipsDevelop and maintain job profiles across functionsProvide reporting and analytics on the hiring pipeline
RECRUITMENT PROCESSManage end-to-end candidate experienceCoordinate assessments, reference checks, and psychometric valuationsTrain and prepare internal teams for structured interviewsSupport immigration processes for Genomines team members
EMPLOYEE MANAGEMENTMaintain employee files and recordsDraft and manage employment agreements, NDAs, and job descriptionsMaintain salary and ESOP benchmarks to support Genomines’ talent retentionImplement performance evaluation, promotion, and disciplinary processes
PAYROLL AND LEAVE ADMINISTRATIONOversee payroll processing and complianceManage leave tracking and reporting
ONBOARDING & OFFBOARDINGDesign and execute pre-employment and onboarding checklistsEnsure smooth handover and knowledge transfer during offboarding
CAREER DEVELOPMENTLaunch training initiatives and mentorship programsDevelop professional growth plans for team members
TEAM BUILDING & CULTURE DEVELOPMENTDevelop internal communication practicesOrganize team events, workshops, and culture-building initiativesQUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE5+ years of progressive HR experience, preferably in start-ups or fast-growing companiesStrong knowledge of French labor law and HR compliance requirementsProven track record in managing recruitment and scaling teamsDemonstrated cross-functional work experience with highly technical teamsExperience using HR and recruitment management tools like Factorial and LeverProficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, and PowerPointProfessionally fluent in English and French