Hr Manager At Whot Studios Limited

We are a lean, ambitious team moving fast and building for the continent. This is not a slow-moving corporate environment, we are a startup with big vision, high standards, and a culture that rewards ownership, initiative, and excellence.

Key Responsibilities
HR Systems & Structure:

Recruitment & Talent Acquisition:

Performance Management

Employee Relations & Culture:

Requirements
Essential:

• We are looking for an experienced Human Resources Manager to build and lead the people function at Whot Studios from the ground up.
• This is a foundational role, you will not be inheriting a fully built HR department.
• You will be designing one. From policies and processes to team culture and compliance, you will own everything related to how we attract, manage, develop, and retain our people.
• The right person for this role has done this before.
• They have walked into a growing startup where people management was informal and chaotic, and they turned it into something structured, professional, and functional, without killing the culture in the process.
• They are as comfortable drafting an HR policy as they are having a difficult conversation with a team member.

• Design and implement the company's HR framework from scratch — policies, processes, and systems that scale with the business
• Establish clear reporting lines, org structure, and escalation paths so that routine people matters are handled through proper channels
• Develop and maintain the Employee Handbook covering all HR policies, code of conduct, leave, disciplinary procedures, and benefits
• Implement and manage HR tools for attendance tracking, performance management, and employee records
• Build an onboarding process that sets every new hire up for success from day one.

• Own the end-to-end recruitment process — job descriptions, sourcing, screening, interviewing, and offer management
• Build talent pipelines for critical roles in tech, gaming, marketing, and operations
• Ensure all hiring decisions are documented, compliant, and aligned with the company's values and culture
• Manage relationships with recruitment agencies and sourcing platforms where relevant.

• Design and implement a performance review system with clear KPIs and OKRs for every role
• Support managers in having effective performance conversations and managing underperformance
• Develop a clear framework for promotions, salary reviews, and career progression
• Monitor team performance data and provide insights to the CEO and leadership

• Serve as the first point of contact for all employee concerns, grievances, and disciplinary matters
• Build a culture of accountability, professionalism, and transparency across the team
• Manage staff welfare initiatives including health insurance, leave administration, and team engagement
• Handle sensitive HR matters with discretion and professionalism.

• Ensure full compliance with Nigerian Labour Law, PAYE, NHIS, pension (PFA), and NSITF requirements
• Maintain accurate and up to date employment contracts, offer letters, and HR documentation
• Coordinate with finance on payroll processing, statutory remittances, and tax compliance
• Manage the company's NDPR (data protection) obligations as they relate to employee data

• 3 - 5 years of HR experience with at least 2 years in a standalone or senior HR role
• Proven experience building HR systems and processes in a startup or fast-growing company
• Strong knowledge of Nigerian Labour Law, statutory compliance, and employment regulations
• Experience with full-cycle recruitment across technical and non-technical roles
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills — able to engage credibly at all levels
• High level of discretion and professionalism in handling sensitive and confidential matters
• Proficiency in Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and HR management tools
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.

• Experience in a tech, gaming, or digital media company
• CIPM certification or equivalent HR professional qualification
• Familiarity with performance management frameworks (OKRs, KPIs)
• Experience with HRIS platforms (e.g. BambooHR, Zoho People, or similar).

• You are someone who believes that great HR is not about bureaucracy.
• It is about building an environment where talented people can do their best work.
• You are structured without being rigid, firm without being intimidating, and empathetic without being a pushover.
• You take ownership, you follow through, and you understand that in a startup, the HR function is only as strong as the trust it builds with the team.
• A senior, high-impact role with direct access to the CEO and real influence over the company's direction
• The opportunity to build an HR function from scratch in one of Nigeria's most exciting gaming companies
• Hybrid work arrangement — flexibility to work remotely and on-site
• Health insurance coverage
• Professional development support
• A fast-paced, innovative environment where your work visibly matters.

These are based on real work and decisions that the company has had to engage with, and therefore the role itself.

Each stage is designed to respect candidate’s time, with only a small number of candidates invited to interview.

We are aiming to conclude hiring as soon as possible, within the month of April.

We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all qualified individuals.