People Operations Manager

About AQEMIA
Aqemia is a drug invention company dedicated to creating novel molecules to address unmet medical needs. Its proprietary QEMI platform combines more than 12 years of physics-based research with state-of-the-art generative AI, enabling the launch of preclinical programs without relying on experimental data and accelerating discovery from day one. Aqemia's portfolio spans oncology, immunology, neurology, and cardiology, and includes both wholly owned programs and partnered programs with leading pharmaceutical companies, such as a multi-year, $150M strategic collaboration with Sanofi. The company's most advanced preclinical programs are currently undergoing in vivo optimization.

Mission
We are looking for a People Operations Manager to own and continuously improve AQEMIA's People Operations, compliance, and employee experience across France and the UK. This hybrid role combines hands-on People Ops execution, HR systems ownership, and legal/compliance coordination to keep day-to-day operations running smoothly in a fast-growing, international environment.

Responsibilities
HR Operations & Systems  Keep People Operations running smoothly day to day. Run employee lifecycle ops (onboarding → changes → offboarding). Own HR tools and data (HRIS, payroll, benefits). Coordinate payroll/benefits providers in France & the UK. Align processes with HRBP and Talent Acquisition.
Legal & Compliance (France & UK)  Support the VP People in building a solid, compliant HR framework across both markets. Be the main point of contact for People-related legal matters. Keep contracts, amendments, and policies up to date. Track law changes and ensure actions are implemented.
Process Improvement & People Projects Simplify, standardize, and improve visibility as we scale. Document and standardize key People Ops processes. Fix recurring issues and simplify workflows. Lead People Ops projects as needed (onboarding, HRIS, benefits). Track core People KPIs and maintain dashboards.
Profile 5+ years' experience in People Operations and HR Administration within high-growth environments. Strong expertise in French employment law, complemented by working knowledge of UK labour regulations or a proven ability to rapidly acquire it. Proven experience in cross-border People Operations, supporting international teams. Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment. Comfortable handling a broad range of HR, legal, and operational topics, helping keep things compliant, efficient, and running smoothly day to day.
Fluent in English and French, both used daily. Hands-on, proactive, and collaborative, with a passion for building lasting processes.
Our recruitment process Screening call with our HRBP - 30mn Hiring Manager interview with our VP People - 45 mins Business case with VP People & HRBP - 1h Cultural fit interview with Emmanuelle Martiano, Co-founder and COO - 45mn Final interview with Maximilien Levesque, Co-founder and CEO - 1h
Why join us?
At AQEMIA, we are redefining drug discovery through the power of physics and generative AI. Joining us means contributing to transforming how new medicines are invented and helping shape the direction of our fast-growing company and team. Pioneering a physics-first approachto drug discovery: we leverage fundamental research to redefine how drugs are discovered. At the core of our approach lies atomic-scale physics, enabling us to uncover truly innovative medicines and deliver hard-to-find therapies. Interdisciplinary team: brilliant talent from tech and life sciences. Recognition & Impact: part of French Tech 120 and France 2030, supporting the most promising French scale-ups with global impact potential; also featured in the 2025 Sifted AI 100, Europe's top AI startups. International environment: based in central Paris (HQ) with an office in London. English is our working language. Strong financial backing: $100M raised since inception from leading European and International investors. We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

---