Head of Talent

📋 Description

• Build and run one hiring plan with leadership across Story (Blade, Client Services) and Wizard
• Source and close creative and agency talent through portfolios, referrals, festivals, schools and
• Source and close senior software engineers for Wizard across systems and C++/Qt, media pipelines
• Design structured interview loops for every role: portfolio reviews and paid test projects for
• Train hiring managers and engineering interviewers to assess well and make fast, fair decisions.
• Own offers, employment agreements and freelancer or contractor agreements for both companies

🎯 Requirements

• 7+ years in recruiting or talent, including time leading talent at a startup.
• Full-cycle hiring experience across both creative and technical roles, including senior hires.
• A track record of hiring senior software engineers in a competitive market.
• Hands-on experience designing compensation bands and equity programs, not only applying them.
• Working knowledge of offer negotiation, employment contracts and California employment law.
• Experience building onboarding programs from scratch.

🎁 Benefits

• Experience hiring for film, video production, design or a creative agency.
• Experience hiring engineers for desktop, creative, video, graphics or AI software.
• Familiarity with managing freelance crews and production contractors.
• Experience with deep-tech, science or founder-led companies.
• An eye for creative work and enough technical fluency to earn engineers' trust.
• Confidence pushing back when a hire isn't the right fit.