Talent Acquisition Manager

ABOUT THE ROLE A fast-growing European AI SaaS startup is looking for a Talent Acquisition Manager to build and own the end-to-end recruiting function from the ground up. Working closely with the Recruiting Lead and C-level, you will design the processes, activate the channels, and secure the talent needed to scale a company hiring across 45+ open roles. This is a high-autonomy, high-ownership position for someone who thrives in a fast-paced startup environment and takes pride in recruiting excellence. WHAT YOU'LL DO - Define clear role requirements in direct alignment with each hiring manager. - Fill the candidate pipeline through active sourcing and strategic channel activation. - Conduct efficient pre-screening and screening calls that produce actionable, well-documented outcomes. - Coordinate all steps of the hiring process to ensure smooth and timely progress. - Negotiate employment contracts through to successful closure. - Design and implement strategy and operational structures for scalable recruiting. - Build lean, low-overhead administrative hiring workflows and processes. - Develop and execute employer branding initiatives to attract top talent. - Coordinate external partners such as payroll providers, notaries, and tax advisors. - Support onboarding and offboarding activities as part of the full recruiting lifecycle. - Establish HR foundations — processes, tools, and team events — in close collaboration with the founding team. WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR Must-haves: - 5+ years of experience in Talent Acquisition building and delivering end-to-end recruiting processes. - Demonstrated experience negotiating employment contracts and closing offers. - Proven ability to define and implement lean, scalable recruiting processes from scratch, measured with hard metrics (e.g., time-to-fill, conversion rates, pipeline efficiency). - Experience with recruitment platforms and ATS tools — setting up, configuring, and optimising them for daily use. - Data-driven mindset with the ability to define, track, and report on meaningful recruiting KPIs. - Proven track record of pitching roles and companies compellingly to secure top candidates. - Ability to quickly filter large applicant pools for both skill and cultural fit. - Experience coordinating external partners (payroll, notary, tax advisory) within recruiting workflows. Nice-to-haves: - Employer branding strategy development and execution. - Experience leveraging AI tools and modern workflows in recruitment. - Background in a high-growth B2B SaaS or AI startup environment. Language: Professional proficiency in German is required for this role. LOCATION & WORK ARRANGEMENT This is a full-time, on-site role based in Vienna, Austria. Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this position. COMPENSATION & BENEFITS - Salary range: $65,000 – $80,000 per year (USD equivalent), commensurate with experience. - High-autonomy role with fast decision-making and direct C-level exposure. - Opportunity to build and shape the recruiting function of a well-funded, high-growth AI SaaS company at an early and impactful stage.