Harmony Venture Labs (HVL) is a venture studio that validates, builds, and launches software companies. We build internally and also partner with corporate innovation teams and institutions to uncover high-potential opportunities and support entrepreneurial leaders who turn those opportunities into real ventures. We’re looking for a dynamic, people-first Talent Lead to own and evolve HVL’s talent engine across Founders-in-Residence (FIRs), new venture founding teams (product, engineering, GTM), and HVL internal hires. This is not a traditional recruiting role. It’s a relationship-driven, creatively-oriented position for someone who understands how builders think, where they spend time, and how they operate. You’ll own the full journey from first conversation to talent placement while helping shape how HVL shows up in the startup and founder ecosystem.
Build & Own the Talent Engine
- ●Own end-to-end recruiting for founders and early venture team members.
- ●Design and run a structured but human evaluation process.
- ●Partner with HVL leadership to build scorecards, decision frameworks, and pipeline visibility.
- ●Continuously improve how we identify and evaluate 0-to-1 talent.
Find Builders Where Others Aren’t Looking
- ●Proactively source exceptional entrepreneurial talent — not just resumes.
- ●Spot talent in non-traditional markets, emerging tech hubs, and overlooked regions.
- ●Build real relationships with accelerators, startup communities, universities, and operators.
- ●Stay close to the founder community and ecosystem conversations.
Evaluate Entrepreneurial “Intangibles”
- ●Bias toward action and ownership
- ●Customer-first thinking
- ●Scrappiness and resourcefulness
- ●Comfort operating in ambiguity
- ●Strong communication and leadership instincts
- ●Willingness to test, learn, fail, and adapt quickly
- ●Product taste
Move Fast Without Breaking Trust
- ●Run intro screens, scenario interviews, and attribute assessments.
- ●Coordinate references, trial projects, and evaluation exercises.
- ●Facilitate conversations with HVL’s product, design, and GTM leaders.
- ●Keep momentum high while delivering a thoughtful candidate experience.
Be a Face of HVL in the Ecosystem
- ●Build a deep bench of founder and builder talent.
- ●Partner with marketing to create talent-focused content and storytelling.
- ●Represent HVL at events, meetups, demo days, and ecosystem gatherings.
- ●Help shape how HVL shows up in the founder world.
You’ll Thrive in This Role If You…
- ●Are naturally curious and energized by people.
- ●Love connecting dots between talent, ideas, and opportunity.
- ●Feel at home in startup communities and founder conversations.
- ●Can spot potential in unconventional environments or before it’s polished.
- ●Are organized enough to run multiple searches — but flexible enough to adapt daily.
- ●Get excited about software, AI, venture studios, and how companies are born.
- ●Want to help build companies, not just fill roles.
Qualifications
Required
- ●Experience in talent sourcing, recruiting, or a startup ecosystem role.
- ●Deep understanding of early-stage startups and founder dynamics.
- ●Ability to evaluate talent beyond a resume.
- ●Exceptional relationship-building and communication skills.
Bonus Points If You Have
- ●Experience with venture studios, accelerators, VC talent teams, or startup executive search.
- ●A strong personal network of founders, builders, engineers, product leaders, or operators.
- ●Experience recruiting in emerging or non-coastal tech markets.
Benefits
- ●Competitive market value-based compensation
- ●Unlimited sick and vacation time
- ●Comprehensive benefits: medical, dental, and vision
- ●Monthly learning stipend
- ●Annual remote office stipend
- ●Monthly wellness stipend
- ●Growth opportunities
Our Values
We default to action.
We move quickly from insight to execution, turning ideas into tested solutions without waiting for perfect conditions.
We act with humility.
We check our egos at the door, valuing collaboration, feedback, and the opportunity to learn from every voice.
We are curious.
We ask bold questions, explore deeply, and continuously seek to understand markets, users, and what drives real impact.
We are results-oriented.
We focus on outcomes that matter—validation, traction, and value creation—not just effort or activity.
Ready to build something meaningful?
If this role sounds like you, we'd love to hear your story.
Apply for Talent LeadHarmony Venture Labs provides equal opportunities for everyone that works for us and everyone that applies to join our team, without regard to sex or gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, any service, past, present, or future, in the uniformed services of the United States (military or veteran status), or any other consideration protected by federal, state, or local law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.