People Ops and Compliance Specialist

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Our staff, formed by more than 200 recognized professionals in the industry, offers solutions to our clients in a close, flexible and creative way, from our facilities in Madrid and Barcelona to any part of the world.

El Ranchito is a project that was born with the dream of creating a space where experience, knowledge and teamwork were a fundamental part of its activity. Each project is a challenge and an opportunity to show our enormous capacity to make the impossible possible.

As a result of our track record we are now part of the international visual effects group Pitch Black Company, which also includes, FOLKS and Rising Sun Pictures. Together we are a workforce of over 1,400 artists around the world, spread across thirteen locations in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto, Saguenay, Adelaide, Brisbane, Bogota, Madrid, Barcelona and Mumbai.

POSITION OVERVIEW

We are seeking a People Ops and Compliance Specialist to join our team in Spain and support operations in our two studios. This role requires a dynamic, detail-oriented, and highly collaborative professional who will oversee HR operations, compliance, compensation and benefits administration, and policy development and review. The ideal candidate will have outstanding communication skills, a strong problem-solving mindset, and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, creative environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage and optimize HR operations, ensuring smooth execution of employee lifecycle processes (onboarding, offboarding, contracts, and records management).
• Serve as the main point of contact for employee inquiries related to policies, compensation, benefits, and workplace matters.
• Collaborate closely with global and local HR teams to ensure consistency and efficiency in HR practices across the company.
• Support employee engagement initiatives, internal communications, and people-related programs to enhance workplace culture.
• Ensure full compliance with Spanish labor laws and regulations related to employment, workplace safety, and data privacy.
• Act as the HR compliance lead, keeping up to date with regulatory changes and ensuring that company policies and procedures align with legal requirements.
• Handle audits, reporting, and documentation required for local employment law compliance.
• Oversee the administration of payroll, benefits, and incentive programs, ensuring accuracy and timely processing.
• Work closely with finance and payroll teams to ensure proper compensation structures and benefits packages.
• Evaluate market trends and participate in benchmarking exercises to maintain competitive and equitable compensation policies.
• Assist in benefits program reviews, identifying improvements to enhance employee satisfaction and retention.
• Develop, implement, and maintain HR policies and procedures, ensuring they align with company culture and local regulations.
• Regularly review and update policies to reflect changes in labor laws and business needs.
• Provide training and guidance to employees and managers on company policies, ensuring clarity and adherence.
• Partner with leadership teams to drive continuous improvement in HR operations and employee experience.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

• Fluency in Spanish and English (spoken and written) is mandatory.
• 3-5 years of experience in HR, compliance, or people operations, ideally within the VFX, entertainment, or creative industries.
• Strong knowledge of Spanish labor law, employment regulations, and compliance frameworks.
• Experience managing HR policies, benefits administration, and compensation structures.
• Ability to quickly build trust and maintain strong working relationships with employees, managers, and external partners.
• Outstanding communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex information to different stakeholders.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and a proactive mindset in addressing challenges and improving processes.
• High attention to detail and ability to multitask across various projects while meeting tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in HR software, payroll systems, and Microsoft Office tools.