Founding People & Talent Lead

About the Role

Protodigy represents a cutting-edge, Y-Combinator (W25) backed startup based in Munich that is revolutionizing the construction supply chain industry, tapping into a $12 trillion market. Having achieved $2M ARR in its first year with founders from leading backgrounds such as Google, MIT, Bain, and Olympiad medalists, the company is poised for accelerated growth. The primary challenge lies in assembling an elite team qualified to grow from 16 to 50 dedicated operators by the end of 2026.

Role Overview

This position demands a high-intensity, full-time, on-site commitment in Munich’s WERK1 facility — no remote or hybrid options are available. The company expects a top-tier professional with a standout record, a proven track record of talent acquisition excellence, and scale-up experience. The successful candidate will establish and lead the entire talent acquisition framework, collaborating directly with founders on organizational and compensation design, and eventually build and lead the People & Talent team as the company progresses toward Series A funding.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and operate the comprehensive recruitment pipeline, focusing on identifying and securing highly specialized technical talent.
• Engage directly with founders to strategize organizational design, compensation modeling, and long-term talent planning.
• Create and nurture an employer brand that appeals to top-tier candidates in the DACH region, encouraging them to transition from established companies.
• Recruit, build, and grow the People & Talent division as scaling demands increase.

Candidate Requirements

• Availability to work strictly onsite five days a week at the Munich WERK1 location.
• Exceptional credentials indicating elite performance, such as membership in the top 1% academic achievers, previous startup founders, or experience at high-impact talent-dense organizations like OpenAI, Palantir, Databricks, or similar.
• Between 2 to 5 years of direct, hands-on end-to-end recruitment experience especially supporting company growth from approximately 15 to 100 employees, with expertise in building sourcing capabilities from the ground up.
• Proficient German language skills, at least at the C1 level.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive base salary ranging from €65,000 to €90,000 annually.
• Equity ownership with voting rights, providing genuine long-term stake and influence.
• Exclusive perks including company-sponsored dinners three nights per week plus weekends during intense work periods, a two-week company retreat in San Francisco in 2026, and direct mentorship from Y-Combinator founders.
• Support for relocation and visa processes, with a subsidized housing studio available for €700 to assist in settling.

Initial Expectations

The initial six months will be especially demanding and impactful: the lead must hire 20 outstanding candidates, uphold strict talent standards, implement effective talent development frameworks, and achieve high offer acceptance rates, all reflecting a data-driven, proactive approach to team building.

Who This Role Is For

This opportunity is intended for a highly driven, analytical leader who views talent quality as the ultimate competitive edge and is passionate about creating a transformative workforce in an innovative industry. It will suit someone looking to make a significant legacy in a team that modernizes a major physical sector.