HR Manager at Whot Studios Limited

Whot Studios Limited is a fast-growing Nigerian gaming and digital studio building products at the intersection of entertainment, technology, and financial empowerment. Our flagship product, Whot Africa, is a competitive mobile card game where players can win real cash rewards, bringing Africa's most beloved card game into the digital age. We are also building Propventure, a proptech platform, and Cash.IO, a fintech-integrated gaming product.

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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: HR Manager

Location: Abuja (FCT) 
Employment Type: Full-time (Hybrid)
Department: Human Resources
Reports To: CEO

The Opportunity

• 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.

Key Responsibilities
HR Systems & Structure:

• 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.

Recruitment & Talent Acquisition:

• 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.

Performance Management

• 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

Employee Relations & Culture:

• 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.

Compliance & Legal:

• 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

Requirements
Essential:

• 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.

Desirable:

• 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).

Who You Are:

• 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.
• You are not looking for a comfortable, slow-moving role.
• You are looking for a place where you can make a real difference — and you are ready to roll up your sleeves to do it.

What We Offer

• Salary: N5,400,000 - N7,200,000 per annum depending on experience.
• 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
• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• 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.

Application Closing Date
Friday, April 11th, 2026 at 11:59 PM WAT.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Hiring Process

• After the initial application form, only shortlisted candidates will be invited to a streamlined test task and interview.
• 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.