HR Director (12 month Maternity Cover)

SEGA European Head Office; London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading interactive entertainment company is seeking an HR Director for a 12-month maternity cover in London. This pivotal role will lead a team to drive the people agenda and align HR strategies with business needs. The ideal candidate has extensive HR experience, particularly in the entertainment or technology sector, along with a strong grasp of UK Employment Legislation and HR best practices. This position offers a hybrid working model and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Gym membership

Free SEGA games on Steam

Flexible working hours

Comprehensive benefits package

Qualifications

• Experience in entertainment or technology industry.
• Proven knowledge of talent and recruitment best practices.
• Good understanding of employee relations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of four HR professionals.
• Support organizational change and structure.
• Guide performance management and employee engagement.
• Collaborate with senior managers for HR support.

Skills

Extensive experience running an HR department

Knowledge of HR best practices

In-depth knowledge of UK Employment Legislation

Strong leadership and coaching skills

Education

Degree level education or equivalent

Professional qualification in Human Resource Management

Job description

Fixed Term Contract: 12 months
Department: HR
Company: SEGA Europe Ltd
Location: SEGA West London, Chiswick Business Park, Hybrid working (3-days per week in-office)

Position Overview

We’re looking for an HR Director (12 month Maternity Cover) to lead a team of four at SEGA’s west London headquarters. A leadership role within the wider HR team, this role will focus on driving the people agenda and partnering with the business to deliver practical, high-impact HR support. Working closely with senior managers and colleagues across HR, the HR Director will guide the team on talent, performance, engagement, and change, ensuring our people priorities are aligned with business needs and delivered consistently.

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of four (three HR professionals and one Internal Communications specialist), ensuring strong delivery and growth.
• Act as a trusted partner to senior managers across international divisions, providing practical HR advice and support.
• Support organisational change, including team structures, role design, and workforce transitions.
• Guide leaders on performance management, employee relations, employee development, and engagement.
• Work with Finance, Business Planning, and Total Reward teams to anticipate and manage headcount needs across Corporate Functions.
• Oversee talent planning and recruitment in partnership with the wider HR team.
• Ensure HR processes are applied consistently and in line with company policy and employment law.
• Use data and feedback to identify trends, highlight risks, and drive continuous improvement.
• Take the lead on complex or sensitive employee relations cases when required.

Collaborate with HR COEs to strengthen employee engagement initiatives.

• Partner with fellow HR leadership team members to deliver enterprise-wide HR projects and solutions.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Extensive experience running an HR department for an Entertainment/technology company
• Educated to degree level or equivalent (NVQ or foreign qualification)
• Completed professional qualification in Human Resource Management (MA/PgDipp Level 7)
• Demonstrable level of experience that proves good knowledge of HR, talent and recruitment best practice
• In-depth knowledge of current UK Employment Legislation

A BIT ABOUT SEGA

SEGA is one of the leading interactive entertainment companies in the world, with our European HQ based in West London and development studios spanning the UK and Bulgaria. Known for quality and creativity above all else, our studios include Sports Interactive, Two Point Studios, Hardlight and Creative Assembly.

At the heart of SEGA is our publishing team based in London, where we help the studios bring their creative vision to life. Here we have a hardworking bunch of people spanning Tech, Sales, Marketing, Finance, Studio Operations and more.

Together, we drive the continued success and evolution of our Western business through living our company values of being product focused, embracing true partnerships and always having fun so that we can strive to come together as One SEGA.

WORKING THE SEGA WAY

We believe that making the best games relies on having the best people, so we make sure that we look after ours…

• For our gaming buffs, you can get involved in our lunchtime get gaming sessions in our games lounge and Club SEGA, regular gaming tournaments and free SEGA games on Steam.
• If you're more of a foodie, you can take advantage of fresh fruit and cereal every single day.
• Fitness fanatics will love our discounted gym membership, ride to work scheme, workout area and bootcamps in the business park. You can find your zen with weekly yoga classes as well as in-house massage therapy.
• You'll have access to a comprehensive benefits package that includes life assurance, income protection, private healthcare & dental insurance schemes and an enhanced contributory pension scheme. We offer competitive salaries and a fantastic bonus scheme so that you can stay motivated and focused on making SEGA the best it can be.
• We hold regular lunch & learn sessions, company updates at incredible venues in Central London and Christmas parties that you’ll want to brag to your mates about! What’s not to love?
• We pride ourselves on having flexible working hours to ensure that you have a life outside of the office.
• We want people of all backgrounds to see themselves represented and included in our work, so we actively seek to diversify our team and bring more voices to the table. All applicants are welcome!

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Check out our Careers website to find out why we are a workplace you’ll never want to leave!