Are you an experienced French Speaking HR Manager with strong knowledge of French labour law and a passion for the video games industry?
We’re hiring a HR Manager to support the growth and structure of an independent video game studio based in Bordeaux. This is a strategic and operational HR leadership role, focused on building people processes, supporting studio culture, and ensuring compliance within a creative and fast-growing environment.
About the role...
As a HR Manager, you will define and implement the HR strategy in alignment with executive leadership. You will oversee recruitment, compensation, payroll supervision, training, compliance, and employee engagement while ensuring alignment with French employment law and collective agreements.
This role combines strategic HR leadership with hands-on operational responsibility in a creative production environment.
What you’ll do:
HR strategy and governance
- Define and implement HR strategy in collaboration with leadership
- Lead and monitor HR projects aligned with company growth objectives
- Define and communicate compensation policies including salary grids, bonuses, and equity participation
- Develop HR reporting dashboards to monitor workforce metrics (absenteeism, remuneration, leave, training, etc.)
HR administration and compliance
- Lead recruitment strategy and oversee professional development interviews
- Ensure compliance with French labour law, collective agreements, and internal policies
- Supervise payroll administration in collaboration with external accounting partners
- Manage social protection, health and safety compliance, and employer obligations
- Organise training needs assessments and implement the skills development plan
Employee relations and internal communication
- Maintain a positive social climate through active and confidential employee engagement
- Facilitate internal communication and strengthen company culture
- Manage relations with employee representative bodies and support social dialogue
- Organise internal events and contribute to employer branding initiatives
- Support the studio’s positioning within local professional communities
What we’re looking for:
Experience and qualifications
- Master’s degree (BAC+5) in Human Resources or a related field
- 5 to 15 years of generalist HR experience
- Strong knowledge of French labour law and regulatory frameworks
- Experience in the video game industry or strong understanding of its roles and ecosystem
- Existing network within the games industry is a plus
Skills and competencies
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage varied responsibilities
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Dynamic, positive, and rigorous approach to HR leadership
- Professional level English (written and spoken)
- Ability to operate both strategically and operationally
What’s on offer
- Collaborative and flexible working environment
- Studio-based role in central Bordeaux
- Comprehensive health coverage fully funded by the employer
- Meal vouchers
- Annual bonuses (holiday and mobility-related)
- Access to employee shareholding schemes
- Relocation support package
The studio is committed to equal opportunity employment and fostering an inclusive workplace. All qualified candidates will be considered based on skills, experience, and potential.
If you’re a senior HR professional who thrives in creative environments and enjoys building strong people foundations within growing organisations, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now, or email Jay McDougall - jrm@skillsearch.com
Years of experience and salary levels are shown purely as a guide. We will only consider applications from candidates that can demonstrate the skills or experience required for the role.
Please be aware that while we would love to respond to every application we receive, due to high numbers we cannot guarantee this. We do however appreciate any time you invest into the application and will make sure to get in touch should anything in future more closely fit your skillset.
