Lead and manage core talent programs including onboarding, performance management, and engagement. Partner with leadership on org design, maintain people data in the ATS, deliver headcount and retention insights, and drive employer branding and culture initiatives.
Last Energy seeks a Talent Acquisition Manager to lead talent programs and people operations across the company. This role will be instrumental in developing, engaging, and retaining top-tier talent to support the company's rapid growth. The Talent Acquisition Manager will work closely with leadership and the talent team to ensure a smooth, efficient, and high-quality employee experience from onboarding through every stage of the employee lifecycle.
This position is based in Austin and reports directly to the VP of Talent, while working closely with the broader Last Energy team.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
- Own and manage core talent programs, including onboarding, performance management, and employee engagement initiatives
- Collaborate with company leadership to scope organizational needs and refine team structures, role definitions, and career paths
- Design and execute a seamless onboarding experience that integrates new hires quickly and effectively
- Administer performance review cycles, including goal-setting, feedback processes, and calibration support for managers
- Maintain timely and effective communication with employees, providing a positive and transparent experience
- Drive employee engagement efforts, including surveys, retention analysis, and action planning with leadership
- Maintain and organize employee records and people data in Last Energy's Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
- Provide regular updates and data-driven insights on headcount, retention, and engagement to leadership
- Contribute to employer branding and culture-building efforts, including internal communications and company events
- Partner with the operations team on logistics for onboarding, training sessions, and company-wide events
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree preferred
- 5+ years of talent management or people operations experience, preferably in a high-growth, hardware engineering environment
- Familiarity with the full employee lifecycle, including onboarding, performance management, and engagement best practices
- Strong command of people data platforms, engagement tools, and other talent systems
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to prioritize competing demands in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment
- High attention to detail, proactive mindset, and ability to work independently
- Passion for building strong teams and fostering a high-quality employee experience
What you need to know about the Austin Tech Scene
Austin has a diverse and thriving tech ecosystem thanks to home-grown companies like Dell and major campuses for IBM, AMD and Apple. The state’s flagship university, the University of Texas at Austin, is known for its engineering school, and the city is known for its annual South by Southwest tech and media conference. Austin’s tech scene spans many verticals, but it’s particularly known for hardware, including semiconductors, as well as AI, biotechnology and cloud computing. And its food and music scene, low taxes and favorable climate has made the city a destination for tech workers from across the country.
Key Facts About Austin Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 180,500; 13.7% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Dell, IBM, AMD, Apple, Alphabet
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, hardware, cloud computing, software, healthtech
- Funding Landscape: $4.5 billion in VC funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Live Oak Ventures, Austin Ventures, Hinge Capital, Gigafund, KdT Ventures, Next Coast Ventures, Silverton Partners
- Research Centers and Universities: University of Texas, Southwestern University, Texas State University, Center for Complex Quantum Systems, Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, Texas Advanced Computing Center
