Principal Talent Acquisition Partner
Olema Oncology · San Francisco, California
Olema Oncology is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to transforming the standard of care and improving outcomes for patients living with breast cancer and beyond. With our transformation into a fully integrated oncology company well underway, it’s an exciting time to be part of Team Olema.
Our lead product candidate, palazestrant, is a novel, orally available complete estrogen receptor antagonist (CERAN) and selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD) currently in two pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials. We expect top-line data from OPERA-01, our ongoing Phase 3 trial of palazestrant as a monotherapy in patients with second- or third-line ER+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer (MBC), in Q1 2027 which, if positive, could lead to our first potential approval and commercial launch in 2028. OPERA-02, our Phase 3 trial of palazestrant in combination with ribociblib in patients with frontline ER+/HER2- MBC, is enrolling patients. Together with its mechanism of action, pharmacokinetic properties, and the potential to demonstrate activity in both ESR1 wild-type and mutant tumors, palazestrant could transform the metastatic breast cancer treatment paradigm and provide access to a $15 billion global market opportunity.
Our follow-on product candidate, OP-3136, is a potent KAT6 inhibitor with the potential to generate further value and meaningfully impact the metastatic breast cancer treatment landscape – particularly in combination with palazestrant. We recently presented encouraging Phase 1 monotherapy data from this program across multiple solid tumor types, are advancing patient enrollment in the ongoing combination arms in MBC, and expect to initiate a Phase 1 study of OP-3136 in combination with Bayer’s darolutamide in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer by the end of this year.
Aspiring to transform the metastatic treatment paradigm is an ambitious endeavor that requires a resolute approach to developing better therapies and passionate colleagues dedicated to helping the patients we serve feel better, longer. Team Olema possesses a deep commitment to a shared purpose, the sustained pursuit of excellence, cultivating the courage required to advance our programs, the drive to succeed, and a collective capacity for adaptability through learning, growth, and evolution. We are a small group of nimble self-starters who bring consistency in our quest for the extraordinary every single day.
If you’re ready to be part of a tenacious, courageous, agile, and growing team, join us in making a profound impact, together – for our patients, for your career, and for what’s beyond.
The Principal Talent Acquisition Partner, R&D and G&A will play a critical role in building the scientific, clinical, technical, and corporate capabilities required to advance Olema’s portfolio and support the company’s continued growth. Reporting to the Senior Director and Head of Talent Acquisition, this individual will serve as the lead recruiting partner for R&D and G&A and personally drive full-cycle hiring across Clinical Development and Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Research, Quality, CMC and Technical Operations, Biometrics, Pharmacovigilance, Finance, Legal, People, IT, Communications, Business Development, and related functions.
This is a highly visible, hands-on individual contributor role for an accomplished recruiter who understands the specialized talent required to discover, develop, and advance oncology therapies while also bringing the versatility to recruit across corporate functions. The successful candidate will combine deep biotechnology recruiting expertise with strong sourcing instincts, sound judgment, and the ability to translate complex scientific, functional, and business needs into effective recruiting strategies.
This individual will proactively identify and engage exceptional passive talent, build pipelines for current and anticipated needs, and convert highly qualified prospects into successful hires. They must be comfortable simultaneously advancing multiple searches across diverse functions and levels while maintaining urgency, quality, and a high-touch candidate experience.
Operating within Olema’s broader talent acquisition strategy, this individual will lead R&D and G&A recruiting execution and serve as a trusted talent expert across these functions. This is a senior individual contributor position.
Key Responsibilities
Recruiting and Partnership
- Lead full-cycle recruiting across Olema’s R&D and G&A organization, including Clinical Development and Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Research, Quality, CMC and Technical Operations, Biometrics, Pharmacovigilance, and related scientific and technical functions
- Develop a deep understanding of Olema’s portfolio, development programs, organizational plans, and capability needs to serve as a trusted advisor to R&D and G&A leaders
- Own hiring manager relationships across R&D and G&A, establishing clear expectations, communication cadences, and shared accountability while adapting recruiting strategies to each function and driving timely, high-quality hiring decisions
- Translate scientific, technical, and business needs into clear candidate profiles, sourcing strategies, search plans, and effective selection processes
- Lead intake meetings, align interview teams, assess candidates, and maintain momentum and accountability from search launch through accepted offer
- Manage a portfolio of concurrent searches across functions and levels, consistently producing qualified pipelines and advancing candidates at the pace required by the business
- Advise leaders on talent availability, competitive organizations, candidate quality, location considerations, compensation, and relevant market dynamics
- Constructively challenge assumptions, calibrate expectations, and recommend adjustments when candidate or market feedback indicates a need to refine the search
- Partner with People team colleagues and hiring leaders to create structured interview plans, meaningful scorecards, and consistent candidate-evaluation practices
Pipeline Development and Talent Intelligence
- Personally identify, engage, assess, and cultivate high-caliber passive talent rather than relying primarily on applicants or external agencies
- Build and continuously replenish pipelines for specialized, difficult-to-fill, and anticipated R&D needs
- Develop targeted research and sourcing strategies across relevant companies, scientific disciplines, development stages, geographies, and talent segments
- Build relationships with prospective candidates before an immediate hiring need exists, creating stronger access to talent as Olema’s programs and organization evolve
- Use professional networks, referrals, LinkedIn Recruiter, Gem or comparable CRM platforms, Greenhouse, scientific publications, conference materials, research resources, and emerging sourcing technologies to identify talent
- Track relevant clinical programs, regulatory milestones, organizational changes, scientific developments, and leadership movement across the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry
- Convert talent intelligence and recruiting data into practical recommendations regarding search feasibility, candidate profiles, sourcing channels, and recruiting strategy
- Represent Olema at scientific conferences, industry meetings, networking events, and other talent-engagement opportunities
Candidate Assessment, Closing, and Negotiation
- Evaluate candidates for functional and technical expertise, development-stage relevance, leadership capability, organizational fit, and ability to succeed in an emerging-growth biotechnology company
- Develop sufficient fluency in assigned R&D functions to assess candidate experience, distinguish depth from surface-level expertise, and credibly represent opportunities to specialized talent
- Prepare clear, evidence-based candidate assessments and recommendations for hiring leaders