Human Resources Operations Specialist in Reading

A remote-first, internationally distributed studio scaling through early production needs HR operations that work reliably: contracts issued on time, payroll accurate, compliance maintained, and people processes that do not create friction for the team. We need an HR Operations specialist who can own the operational backbone of our people function and ensure that the administrative side of HR runs smoothly as the studio grows.

You will report to the HR Manager and work closely with finance, IT, and studio operations. You will own HR administration, payroll coordination, compliance tracking, and the operational processes that support hiring, onboarding, and employee lifecycle management.

HR processes at the studio are still being formalised. You will be building systems and workflows, not just operating within established ones. The standards you set for documentation, compliance, and process efficiency will shape how the people function operates as the team doubles and triples in size.

Your Role

• HR Administration and Employee Lifecycle
  • Manage core HR administration: employment contracts, offer letters, onboarding documentation, probation tracking, and offboarding processes.
  • Maintain accurate employee records, HR databases, and documentation. Ensure data integrity and confidentiality across all people systems.
  • Coordinate the onboarding experience for new hires: documentation, IT setup coordination, benefits enrolment, and first-week logistics. Ensure new starters feel expected and prepared.
  • Track probation periods, contract renewals, and employment milestones. Flag upcoming actions to the HR Manager with enough lead time to act.
• Payroll and Benefits Coordination
  • Coordinate monthly payroll processing with finance and external payroll providers. Ensure accuracy, timeliness, and proper documentation.
  • Manage benefits administration: enrolment, changes, and queries. Serve as the first point of contact for employee benefits questions.
  • Track leave, absence, and time-off balances. Maintain accurate records and ensure policy compliance.
• Compliance and Process
  • Ensure HR compliance with UK employment law and any relevant international regulations for the studio’s distributed team. Coordinate with external legal advisors when needed.
  • Build and maintain HR process documentation: standard operating procedures, policy documents, and employee-facing guides.
  • Support the HR Manager with performance review administration, salary review processes, and people reporting.
  • Manage HR tools and systems. Ensure they are properly configured, maintained, and used consistently across the team.

Must-Haves

• Experience in HR operations, HR administration, or people operations.
• Strong working knowledge of UK employment law fundamentals: contracts, right-to-work, GDPR, leave entitlements, and statutory obligations.
• Experience with payroll coordination and benefits administration.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail. HR operations depend on accuracy.
• Experience with HR information systems (HRIS) and document management.
• Clear, professional communication and an ability to handle sensitive information with discretion.

Nice-to-Haves

• Experience in the games industry, technology startups, or creative industries.
• CIPD qualification or equivalent.
• Experience supporting HR for internationally distributed or remote-first teams.
• Experience with contractor management, IR35 compliance, or multi-jurisdiction employment arrangements.
• Familiarity with applicant tracking systems and recruitment coordination.

About You

• You are detail-oriented and take pride in getting the administrative fundamentals right. You know that a missed contract date or payroll error erodes trust fast.
• You are discreet and professional when handling sensitive information.
• You are comfortable building processes from scratch. An early-stage company does not have everything documented, and you see that as the work, not a complaint.
• You are proactive. You flag issues before they become problems and you follow through on commitments without needing to be chased.
• You are comfortable working autonomously in a remote environment, maintaining clear communication with your manager and cross-functional partners.

We are committed to making our hiring process accessible. If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know.

Couch Heroes is an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic.

We process your personal data as part of the recruitment process. Couch Heroes and Skillsearch both act as data controllers in relation to your application. For details on how your information is collected, used, stored, and your rights under UK GDPR, please review the relevant Privacy Policies.