People & Talent Manager
This role is for a People & Talent leader who wants a real seat at the table, not a support role on the sidelines.
As Smooth Media’s first People & Talent Manager, you’ll partner directly with the co-founders to shape how we hire, grow, and support our team. You’ll own the full recruitment lifecycle, building teams intentionally and efficiently, while also laying the people operations foundation needed to support a fast-growing, high-performing organization.
Recruiting is the engine of this role. You’ll translate business priorities into hiring strategies, advise leaders on role design and team structure, and move quickly without cutting corners. At the same time, you’ll help ensure the employee experience, systems, and processes evolve alongside the company.
You’ll be trusted to think strategically, act independently, and make judgment calls that balance people, performance, and pace. You’ll work closely with leaders who value partnership, transparency, and thoughtful decision-making—and who expect you to challenge assumptions when needed.
You’ll be shaping how Smooth Media hires, grows, and supports its people, while helping leaders build teams that can scale sustainably. You’ll have real ownership, real influence, and the opportunity to build something meaningful from the ground up.
What you'll own:
Talent Acquisition
Own the end-to-end recruitment lifecycle across the business
Comfortable managing multiple requisitions at a time, hiring with both speed and intention
Partner closely with hiring managers to:
Clarify role design, scope, and success criteria
Develop hiring plans aligned to business goals
Advise on team structure and headcount needs
Build and continuously refine recruiting processes, interview guides, and hiring workflows
Lead candidate experience from first touch to onboarding
Source, screen, interview, and close candidates across multiple functions
Use data and feedback to improve time-to-hire, quality of hire, and candidate experience
Business Partnership
Act as a trusted People partner to co-founders and managers across the organization
Support performance management processes, including goal-setting, feedback, and development conversations
Provide guidance on employee relations topics with care, discretion, and clarity
Support manager effectiveness through coaching, resources, and practical advice
Help translate business priorities into people strategies that actually work
Employee Experience & Engagement
Lead a robust onboarding and ensure new hires feel set up for success from day one
Support employee development initiatives, including:
Growth opportunities
Learning and development resources
Recognition and feedback practices
Spearhead employee engagement efforts that feel authentic to the culture of the business
Be a go-to resource for day-to-day employee questions and support
HR Operations
Manage core HR logistics, including but not limited to benefits administration, payroll coordination, compliance and employee records
Maintain accurate and organized employee documentation and systems
Ensure HR practices align with legal and compliance requirements
Build scalable processes as the company grows without overcomplicating things
Oversee light office operations and workplace logistics, including coordinating office supplies, groceries, and day-to-day needs for the team
Partner with IT vendors and internal stakeholders to manage employee equipment and assets, including laptops, onboarding setup, and inventory tracking
What we're looking for:
3–5 years of experience in talent acquisition and people operations
Strong experience owning full-cycle recruiting in a fast-paced environment
Comfortable managing multiple requisitions simultaneously without sacrificing quality
Ability to balance structure with flexibility (i.e. you know when to build process and when to move fast)
A people-first mindset paired with strong business acumen and sound judgment
Experience in an agency, startup, or creator-economy environment is a bonus, not a requirement
A creative and strategic problem-solver who is comfortable working independently, taking initiative, and being resourceful without needing heavy direction
Empathetic and emotionally intelligent—able to put yourself in others’ shoes and understand their experience
Flexible, hands-on, and willing to roll up your sleeves—no task is too big or too small to get the job done
What we can offer:
Salary range: $90,000-$130,000
Health, dental, and vision insurance
Unlimited PTO (mandatory 10 days per year minimum)
High-impact role with direct access to leadership and real ownership over how we grow
About Smooth Media:
Smooth Media is the talent management company for knowledge creators — the people teaching, explaining, and breaking down the world through smart, insightful content. We serve as a true strategic partner to our creators — an extension of their team that helps them run, grow, and professionalize their business.
Smooth Media is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.