People Operations Specialist

Since 1843, The Economist Group has championed independence, excellence and openness, helping people understand and tackle the critical challenges shaping the world.

Today, we are building on that legacy as a global media and information‑services company powered by digital innovation, analytical rigour and evidence‑based insight.

Across our three businesses — The Economist, Economist Enterprise and Economist Education — we deliver trusted analysis and insights to individuals and organisations in more than 170 countries.

United by a shared purpose to drive progress, we empower decision‑makers to make sense of change and chart a course through an increasingly complex world.

As a colleague, you will be part of a culture that values ideas, encourages ownership and holds itself to high standards.

We invest in people who are curious, thoughtful and adaptable, whether they are launching new products, reporting on global events or harnessing emerging technologies such as AI to improve how we work.

Here, fresh thinking is taken seriously, ambition is matched by integrity, and great work is recognised.

Working across disciplines, geographies and perspectives, we are united by a commitment to innovation, excellence and creating meaningful impact.

The role

The People Operations Specialist sits within the People Operations, Systems and Analytics team.

This role is suitable for someone interested in starting or progressing their career within the HR space.

People Operations team is responsible for delivering accurate, timely and consistent colleague lifecycle processes globally.

We provide first‑line support to employees through our People Desk inbox, maintain trusted colleague data and records, and work with our People partners to ensure that operational processes are compliant, clearly documented, consistently applied and continuously improved.

This is a hands‑on operational role, suited to someone who enjoys delivering excellent customer service.

You will support colleague lifecycle activity across multiple regions, resolve first‑line queries, maintain high standards of data quality and process discipline, and contribute ideas that help make our services simpler, more reliable and more efficient.

You will work closely with stakeholders both across the People team and the wider organisation.

You will be expected to understand where People Operations ownership begins and ends, resolve matters within your area of responsibility and escalated specialist or higher‑risk matters appropriately.

Responsibilities

• Service delivery and People Desk
• Act as a first point of contact for first line queries, providing clear, accurate and practical responses within agreed service levels.
• Take ownership of queries through to resolution, including coordinating with other People teams where specialist input is required, escalating where appropriate.
• Identify recurring queries, gaps in guidance and service issues, and share observations that help improve documentation, training or processes.
• Deliver accurate and timely administration across the colleague lifecycle, including onboarding, contractual changes, probation, payroll instructions, leave, international transfers and offboarding.
• Prepare documentation, including salary and promotion letters, employment verification letters.
• Support new joiner orientation and onboarding activity in partnership with the Leadership and Organisational Effectiveness team.
• Data quality, compliance and controls
• Maintain accurate and complete colleague records in Hi Bob and other relevant systems.
• Complete scheduled data quality checks and promptly investigate and resolve discrepancies.
• Maintain appropriate records and evidence for right to work, contractual changes, payroll inputs, benefits and other compliance requirements.
• Handle colleague information in accordance with data protection, confidentiality and information security requirements.
• Process ownership and continuous improvement
• Follow documented processes and keep process documentation, templates and knowledge articles accurate and up to date within your assigned areas.
• Be curious about how processes work end‑to‑end, asking questions and contributing ideas that help improve the way People Operations supports the business.
• Support local and global People projects by testing new processes and system changes and providing practical feedback.
• Contribute to knowledge‑sharing sessions and help embed consistent ways of working across the team.

Who you are

• A strong interest in working in a People Operations, HR shared services or People Administration role.
• Strong attention to detail and a clear understanding of the importance of data accuracy, documentation and controls.
• Able to manage a varied operational workload, prioritise effectively and meet fixed deadlines.
• Comfortable taking ownership of tasks and queries through to completion.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to provide clear and practical guidance.
• Able to distinguish between first‑line operational matters and issues requiring specialist escalation.
• Confident working with HR systems, ticketing tools, reports and structured workflows.
• Able to identify process gaps and suggest realistic improvements.
• Curious about how things work and keen to contribute ideas that improve processes and the colleague experience.
• A customer service mindset, with a genuine desire to provide helpful, timely and practical support to colleagues.
• Interested in understanding how your role fits within the wider People team and organisation, and willing to challenge existing ways of working constructively.
• Comfortable working in a global, matrixed and changing environment.
• Collaborative and able to build effective working relationships across People teams and wider business functions.
• Nice to have
• Experience working in a global organisation or shared services environment.
• Experience using Hi Bob, Hiver or another HRIS and service desk platform.
• Experience using Google Workspace, including Sheets, Docs and Drive.
• Comfortable using AI to increase efficiency.
• Understanding of HR data protection, governance, audit and compliance requirements.
• Experience supporting global mobility, immigration, payroll or benefits administration.
• Experience contributing to process mapping, automation or continuous improvement activity.
• Working Arrangements

The majority of our roles operate on a hybrid working pattern, with 3+ days office attendance required.

AI usage for your application

We are an innovative organisation that encourages the use of technology.

We recognise that candidates may utilise AI tools to support with their job application process.

However, it is essential that all information you provide truthfully and accurately reflects your own experience, skills, and qualifications.

What we offer

Our benefits package is designed to support your wellbeing, growth, and work‑life balance.

It includes a highly competitive pension or 401(k) plan, private health insurance, and 24/7 access to counselling and wellbeing resources through our Employee Assistance Program.

We also offer a range of lifestyle benefits, including our Work From Anywhere program, which allows you to work from any location where you have the legal right to do so for up to 25 days per year.

In addition, we provide generous annual and parental leave, as well as dedicated days off for volunteering and even for moving home.

You will also be given free access to all The Economist content, including an online subscription, our range of apps, podcasts and more.

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