People Assistant in Didcot

Aim high, go beyond! At Open Cosmos we are solving the world’s biggest challenges from space, providing businesses, governments and researchers access to more readily available information than ever before - ready for the challenge? Then read on…

Working in our People Team, the People Team is at the heart of life at Open Cosmos. Covering HR, Talent Acquisition, and Office Management, the team attracts great people, supports them through every stage of their journey, and creates a workplace where everyone can thrive. Their work keeps Open Cosmos a great place to work and our teams engaged, supported, and focused on mission success.

As a People Assistant, you’ll help keep the people engine running smoothly for our Open Cosmonauts around the world. You’ll be right at the centre of the employee lifecycle — helping new joiners feel welcomed from day one, supporting accurate payroll administration and making sure our people data is spot-on and compliant. From onboarding to day-to-day people queries, your work will help create a seamless, supportive experience for colleagues across the business.

What will you be doing?

• Support the full employee lifecycle, including onboarding, employee changes and leavers
• Coordinate end-to-end onboarding activities, making sure contracts, documentation, system access and first-day arrangements are completed on time
• Support monthly payroll administration by preparing, checking and updating employee data and working with external payroll providers
• Maintain accurate employee records and ensure the HRIS is kept up to date
• Carry out right-to-work checks and support people compliance requirements
• Act as a first point of contact for people-related queries, escalating where appropriate
• Prepare and manage people documentation, letters and reports
• Support the creation, review and update of people policies and processes across multiple geographies
• Review, collate and summarise employee survey data, producing clear reports to support people initiatives and decision-making
• Provide general administrative and operational support to the People Team as needed

What You’ll bring

You’ll bring a strong sense of organisation, care and curiosity, with the ability to support people operations in a growing business. You’ll demonstrate:

• The ability to manage administrative and operational tasks accurately across the employee lifecycle
• Strong attention to detail, particularly when working with employee data, payroll inputs and compliance requirements
• Good organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple priorities
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with a professional and approachable style
• Comfort using digital tools such as HR systems, Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
• An understanding of confidentiality, data protection and the importance of handling People information responsibly
• A proactive mindset, with the willingness to learn and develop in a fast-growing environment
• The ability to work independently while contributing positively as part of a team
• A practical, solutions-focused approach and openness to improving how things are done

For this role you can be based in any of our locations. To apply, you must have the legal right to work in your chosen location. Please submit your application in English.

Why Open Cosmos?

• Work at the cutting edge of space technology with customers around the globe
• A mission-driven company making space accessible to help solve real-world challenges
• A diverse, ambitious, and supportive team
• Equal opportunity employer

At Open Cosmos, we are dedicated to fostering a workplace built on respect, dignity, and belonging. As an equal opportunity employer, we actively challenge bias to ensure every candidate and employee feels truly welcome. We celebrate diversity in all its forms and are committed to maintaining an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.