People and Talent Leader

Playground Global is a leading early-stage venture capital firm based in Palo Alto, with $1.2B+ under management. We specialize in investing in revolutionary companies whose cutting-edge products are poised to drive the next wave of economic and human development. Areas of active investment include next-gen compute, engineered biology, decarbonization (energy, materials science, agriculture), aerospace, robotics, and related frontier technologies.

At Playground, we believe in reimagining the relationship between investors and founders. We are always looking to connect with high-performing people and talent leaders to support the growth of our firm and our portfolio companies. We seek leaders for various roles, including advisory positions, board memberships, and interim, fractional, and permanent full-time executive people and talent leadership positions.

Please share your information with us, and we will contact you if and when we have an opportunity to explore further.

Areas we invest in

• AI/ML

• Automation & Robotics

• Aviation & Aerospace

• Biotech/Pharma

• Hardware

• High-performance compute/Semiconductors

• Logistics & Supply Chain

• Mechanical or Industrial Engineering
  

Example Responsibilities

• Strategic Talent Partner: Act as a trusted advisor to our firm or portfolio company founders, providing guidance on all aspects of talent management, from executive hiring and compensation to organizational design and culture development.

• Executive Coaching & Development: Offer executive coaching and mentorship to our firm or portfolio company founders and their leadership teams, helping them navigate the challenges of scaling a rapidly growing company.

• Talent Network Builder: Leverage your extensive network to source candidates, build and maintain relationships with executive search firms, and stay abreast of industry trends.

• Compensation & Performance Management: Develop and implement competitive compensation strategies and performance management programs that attract and retain top talent.

• Board-Level Impact: Help our portfolio companies identify and recruit experienced board members who can accelerate commercialization and growth.
  

Qualifications

• You have a proven track record: 10+ years of experience in talent acquisition and organizational and leadership development roles, ideally at high-growth tech or biotech startups. Venture capital experience is a plus.

• You are a strategic thinker: Ability to develop and execute data-driven talent strategies aligned with business goals.

• You possess a genuine interest in deep tech and life sciences, with a passion for working with companies that are changing the world.

• You have strong interpersonal and communication skills, which allow you to quickly build rapport and credibility with our portfolio company founders, executives, and board members.

• You have a strong understanding of go-to-market strategies and the ability to identify and recruit executives who can drive commercial success.

• You have a demonstrated ability to implement and maintain high operational efficiency, effectiveness, and continuous improvement across all aspects of talent management.

• You have built and led high-performing teams from the ground up.

Playground is based in Palo Alto, CA, but our portfolio companies are located throughout the US and may offer remote, hybrid, or onsite work arrangements based on their individual needs and location.

If you're a seasoned People and Talent leader ready to make a significant impact in deep tech and life sciences, we invite you to submit your information. We will proactively reach out when opportunities arise that align with your expertise and interests.

At Playground, we’re committed to racial equity, social justice, and equal opportunity. Women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.