Head of People & HR

PARIS, FRANCE          FULL TIME, CDI

About Eligo

Backed by top-tier investors from Silicon Valley and Europe, Eligo is an industry-leading biotechnology company co-founded by scientists and professors from MIT and Rockefeller University, and based in Paris, France.

Our mission is to pioneer next-generation genetic medicines addressing serious unmet medical needs in inflammatory diseases, infectious diseases, and oncology. Our groundbreaking work in synthetic biology and microbiome science has earned us recognition as one of the “30 Most Innovative Companies” by the World Economic Forum, alongside features in top publications like Nature, The Economist, BBC, and The New York Times.

Organizational Context

We’re at an exciting stage of development, evolving from a research-focused startup to a clinical-stage biotech company, with plans to initiate clinical trials in patients for our first drug within the next two years.

Our lean team of 30+ dedicated Eligonauts is organized across three main departments—Research, Development, and Operations—working within a flexible matrix structure that encourages adaptability and collaboration. We thrive on a culture of scientific excellence and innovation, underpinned by a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and making a meaningful impact through our work.

The role

As our first Head of People & HR, you will play a crucial role in defining and executing a people strategy, and the processes to make it a reality, that aligns with Eligo’s long-term mission. This is not about rapid scaling or applying generic HR templates; instead, it’s a strategic and culture-driven hands-on role focused on cultivating a people-first, high-performance environment where our team can thrive and contribute at their best.

Your mission will be to understand the unique talents at Eligo and create a supportive and adaptive workplace that allows our people to grow, innovate, and succeed. Working with a diverse team—from pioneering scientists to seasoned industry leaders—you will need to delve into our business and culture, discerning what makes each individual and team perform optimally. 

This position combines strategic vision with operational expertise, balancing culture and process development with HR operations, while ensuring alignment with Eligo’s values and goals.

What This Role Is Not
This role is not for someone looking for a role focused on scaling-up/talent acquisition (we will recruit max 5-10 new Eligonauts in the coming 2 years), nor apply a standard HR playbook. We aren’t seeking a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we need someone who will take a bespoke, thoughtful approach to develop Eligo’s people operations.

Why This Role Is Unique
At Eligo, we believe that true organizational success is rooted in high-quality interactions and shared values within our team. We’re a small, ambitious team tackling the edge of scientific discovery, solving incredibly complex challenges within tight timelines. To achieve this, we must build an elite team that balances high performance with a people-centered approach. As Head of People, you’ll be central to designing and reinforcing this foundation, crafting a role with both strategic and operational depth and a direct, lasting impact on our success.

Stakeholders

You will report directly to the CEO and work closely as a true partner with the leadership team, the managers (VPs & Directors), and our Head of Finance.

Other significant external relationships: We are working with an external HR lawyer, and with consultants & coaches on specific topics (manager development, culture workshops, etc). We are working with an accounting firm for payroll.

Key Areas of Responsibilities

Strategic and Operational Processes Optimization:
– You’ll constantly seek opportunities to develop/improve and implement people-centered policies, tools, and processes, tailored to Eligo’s needs, from employee relations and compliance to compensation and benefits, onboarding to offboarding, performance management to professional development…)

Supporting Talent Growth & Development:
– Support managers in the development of their teams and in their own management to enable continuous growth of both teams and managers
– Focus on creating career paths, continuous development opportunities, and growth programs that empower our employees and help them reach their highest potential.

Talent Acquisition
– Support and be the point of contact for managers recruiting for their teams
– Lead recruitment campaigns through the relevant channels
– Take part in the interviews process by running “Culture & Management” interviews
– Help foreigners obtain all their documents to start working with us

Culture Engagement & Stewardship:
– Create a dynamic workplace where every team member feels valued and inspired. Design initiatives that foster collaboration, strengthen culture, and enhance employee engagement.
– Lead efforts to ensure the company’s values live or evolve if need be, ensuring cultural alignment through all levels of the organization.
– Work on feedback processes to strengthen culture of feedback
– Craft meaningful events to drive organizational cohesion and strategy that reflect and support our values (from regular company-wide events, to leadership/managers workshops, and company offsites, etc)

People Operations & Admin
– In charge of contracts, payroll, compliance, onboarding, offboarding, etc.
– Answer the team’s questions on anything HR related
– Manage and represent the Company for the Works council (CSE)
– You’ll ensure up to date documentation and robust internal communication
– Keep up to date with the latest HR trends and relevant legal updates

Who We Are Looking For

– A thoughtful, culture-driven leader with a deep interest in people operations & HR, eager to adapt and tailor best practices to meet the specific needs of our organization and the challenges of a fast-paced startup environment.
– A hands on doer with a strategic mindset, who balances high-level vision with a proactive approach to execution—ensuring seamless alignment between strategy and day-to-day implementation.
– A curious problem-solver, who understands the importance of nuanced team dynamics to foster collaboration and innovation, thrives in a lean startup setting, and works with high autonomy and drive, maintaining a focus on impactful, meaningful work.
– An excellent communicator and relationship builder, able to work with different personalities and bridging perspectives to ensure productive, cohesive teamwork.
– Someone passionate about People & Leadership, who has devoured Radical Candor, High Output Management, Start with why, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, and is eager to bring these insights to Eligo.

Minimum requirements:
– Someone who has >7 years of experience working in a startup/company (>30 employees) and who has been deeply involved in HR matters (strategic and operational) and organization shaping
– Fluent written and spoken English (all our internal communication is in English)
– Fluent written and spoken French

Nice to have:
– Experience in a deeptech / biotech / engineering company
– Have already handled the relocation of foreign candidates to France

What We Offer

Benefits:
– Competitive salary and equity packages for each employee
– 8€ Tickets Restaurant for each working day (50% covered by Eligo)
– Health insurance / mutuelle: 100% of top-tier insurance (Alan) for Eligonauts and their kids covered by Eligo
– Transportation: 100% of Navigo transportation card costs reimbursed, or 400€/year offered for alternative transport support
– Integration assistance: French and English classes covered 100%
– Health & Wellness: subscription to top-tier sports and wellness platform
– Flexible remote-work policy (2 days per week if compatible with responsibilities)

Awesome perks:
– Significant budget allocated to HR initiatives
– An unfailing support of the CEO
– Have a direct impact on the decisions at a company level
– A team that is passionate, creative, driven, and at the top of their game working hands in hands to solve real-world problems
– A fast-paced, international, interdisciplinary, inspiring, and collaborative work environment
– Easily accessible via public transit (metro lines 14 and 6, RER C, tram T3a, various bus lines)
– Secure parking for bikes on site
– Cozy company atmosphere for lunch and social events: fully-equipped kitchen and cafeteria on the Eligo premises, and a Foodles workplace canteen in the common building space
– Last but not least… office space in Paris with a rooftop terrace from which we can see the Eiffel Tower sparkle ✨; 6-minute walk from the river Seine