HR Operations Associate

About the Project Are you ready to take ownership of end-to-end HR operations in a remote-first culture, while driving process optimization through modern tools and AI? We are looking for an HR Operations Associate to maintain and elevate our established HR systems. In this role, you will manage day-to-day HR administration across our international, multi-disciplinary team while actively identifying opportunities to streamline workflows using modern digital and AI-driven processes. As a key operational anchor for HR core functions, this role blends hands-on operational excellence with modern process automation—all while helping build culture and connection across a distributed team. Your Key Focus Areas HR Core & System Maintenance: Maintain and update internal HR Core systems, ensure 100% data accuracy across employee records, track vacation balances, and extract precise data for annual government reporting. Payroll & Benefits Administration: Collaborate closely with our external accounting partner to manage monthly payroll inputs, account for variables/adjustments, and oversee employee health insurance programs. Compliance & Occupational Health: Coordinate mandatory occupational medicine requirements (Work Medicine checks), ensure full documentation compliance, and manage employee files. Training, Onboarding & Continuous Learning: Organize internal/external training plans, maintain certification logs, and support a seamless remote onboarding journey for international sales, tech, and customer support talent. Process Automation & AI Workflows: Continuously evaluate existing HR workflows to eliminate bottlenecks and integrate modern AI tools to automate routine operational tasks. Culture & Team Events: Help organize local and company-wide team offsites, events, and culture initiatives to keep our distributed team connected and engaged. Employee Relations & Virtual Support: Serve as the primary, go-to contact for general team inquiries, providing responsive, human-centered operational support in a remote environment. Your Expertise Education & Background: Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field. Experience: 1–2 years of practical experience in HR administration, payroll support, or operational coordination (experience in a remote or hybrid environment is a plus). Tech-Savvy & Innovative: Strong familiarity with digital tools, modern HR systems, and a natural curiosity for leveraging AI tools/workflows to automate routine tasks. Self-Driven & Organized: High degree of autonomy, exceptional attention to detail, and top-tier time-management skills suited for remote work. Languages: Native Portuguese with strong professional English skills (minimum B2). Compensation Remote-First Flexibility: Enjoy a modern remote-first work environment, with access to physical space/hubs when you need them or for in-person team gatherings. AI & Continuous Learning Stack: Direct access to cutting-edge AI tools to boost your productivity, plus comprehensive self-learning resources (including full LinkedIn Premium Learning access with 26,000+ courses). Professional Growth Budget: Annual dedicated budget to attend national HR & tech conferences, meetups, and networking events. Team Events & Offsites: Regular team events, offsites, and social gatherings to foster genuine connection across our international team. Comprehensive Package: Competitive gross salary, Health Insurance (post-probation), Coverflex flexible benefits Hardware Setup: Complete remote setup, including a MacBook and business phone. Global Exposure: Collaborate daily with an international team spanning several nationalities and learn directly from leaders with over 30 years of combined industry experience. Remote-First (based in Portugal). About us Stark & Partners is an operational consultancy based in Leiria, Portugal. We work with national and international companies building high-skilled, high-performance teams in markets they are entering or expanding within. We do not recruit and walk away. We stay involved — in the structure, the onboarding, the performance, and the development of the people we bring on board. That is the model, and it is why the mentorship commitment in this role exists in the first place. The people we put forward are those we believe in — not because their CV is perfect, but because we see the talent and the attitude that the role genuinely needs. How We Work ✓ Trust over micromanagement – We hire great people and let them shine ✓ Growth opportunities – Your development is our priority ✓ Flat structure – No unnecessary hierarchies blocking your path ✓ Diverse challenges – Work that keeps you learning and engaged ✓ Supportive team – Colleagues who have your back ✓ Real impact – See the results of your work every day Ready to grow with us? Apply today, and we’ll reach out to you after reviewing your profile!