HR Graduate - Intern

This graduate placement/internship focuses on driving a global HR transformation by supporting the final data migration and testing of a new HRIS platform (Workable), identifying and building workflow automations using AI tools, and conducting a cross-border gap analysis for a future global benefits strategy.

Smartstream Technologies is a global financial technology company providing mission-critical transaction lifecycle management solutions to financial institutions, corporates, and capital markets firms. We operate across the UK, USA, India, Europe, APAC, and the Middle East, with a diverse, international team and a culture built on innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

This is an exciting placement for a motivated graduate or penultimate-year student looking to gain hands-on experience across a genuinely broad and impactful range of HR activities. You will join Smartstream's HR team at a pivotal moment in our transformation journey — supporting the final stages of a new HRIS platform implementation, contributing to a global benefits review, and helping to automate and improve the way our HR function operates.

From day one you will own real workstreams, work alongside experienced HR professionals, and have direct visibility of how a lean, global HR team operates at pace.

Job Responsibilities

1. HRIS Implementation Support (Workable)
Smartstream is going live on Workable, our new HR Information System, in September 2026. You will work directly with the HR Systems lead to support the final stages of implementation, including:

• Auditing and cleansing employee data ahead of migration from our legacy system (SAGE HR)
• Assisting with end-to-end user acceptance testing of Workable workflows — onboarding, offer management, and reporting etc.
• Drafting user guides, enablement and process notes to support HR team members in using the new system day-to-day
• Supporting delivery of system training sessions for HR team members and key stakeholders ahead of go-live

2. HR Automation & Process Improvement
There is a real opportunity to reduce manual effort across routine HR tasks. You will help identify and build automation solutions, including:

• Mapping current-state HR processes (contract generation, new starter checklists, absence notifications, probation reminders) to identify automation opportunities
• Building and testing automated workflows in Workable and via AI tools — with a target of at least one live automation by the end of the placement
• Designing an automated monthly HR data reporting template to reduce manual analysis time
• Exploring and documenting how approved AI tools (including Claude Enterprise) can support HR drafting tasks — producing a short recommendations note for the HR team

3. Global Benefits Review
Smartstream operates across multiple countries with varying benefit structures. You will support the HR team in building the evidence base for a future-state global benefits strategy:

• Gathering and documenting current benefit arrangements by country, working with regional HR contacts
• Researching market-standard benefit offerings for fintech companies in key Smartstream locations and producing a gap analysis against current provision
• Compiling findings into a structured briefing note for HR leadership, flagging any compliance risks or anomalies identified

4. People Projects
You will contribute to a range of people-focused initiatives running across the placement period:

• Supporting coordination of the global service awards programme — tracking nominees, drafting communications, and ensuring consistent delivery across regions
• Assisting in the design, distribution, and analysis of monthly eNPS and engagement surveys, including producing summary dashboards for leadership
• Maintaining and updating the 2026 Global Site Initiatives tracker across CSR, team events, office facilities, and benefits

Key Skills

We are looking for a penultimate or final-year student, or recent graduate, studying HR, Business, Psychology, or a related discipline.

The ideal candidate will bring:
• Strong organisational and analytical skills — able to manage multiple workstreams and work accurately with data
• Clear written communication skills — able to draft policies, guides and communications to a professional standard
• Curiosity about HR technology and AI tools — comfortable learning new systems quickly and keen to explore how technology can improve the way HR works
• A collaborative, proactive approach — able to build relationships across regions and time zones and get things done without close direction
• Discretion and professionalism — comfortable handling confidential employee information with appropriate care

What you will gain:
• Hands-on exposure to a complex, global HR transformation — including HRIS implementation, benefits strategy, and process automation
• Direct experience working within a lean, HR team with visibility across strategic and operational HR
• Practical skills in HR technology (Workable, SAGE HR), data analysis, and AI-assisted HR workflows
• Structured supervision — weekly 1:1 with your line manager and the CHRO, plus a mid-placement and end-of-placement review
• A professional reference and, for the right candidate, consideration for future opportunities at Smartstream

Desirable Skills Qualifications

Prior exposure to HR systems, data analysis, or a professional services environment is advantageous but not required. Full training and structured onboarding will be provided from day one.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave rising to 28 with length of service.
• Annual Holiday scheme also lets you `roll over' up to a maximum of 10 days into the next year helping you to take full advantage of your holiday entitlement.
• Company pension scheme matching up to 5% of salary - Additionally, you can choose to make your contributions via Salary Sacrifice, which allows you to save on National Insurance Contributions as well as Income Tax.
• Group Life Assurance - As part of your core benefit package from SmartStream you are entitled to up to 9 times your annual basic salary
• Group Income Protection, up to 75% of salary
• Private Medical and Dental Insurance, up to family cover
• Health Assessments
• Eye Tests and discount off glasses
• Access to over 5,000 courses on Coursera

Equality Statement

Smartstream is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity and following practices which are free from unfair and unlawful discrimination.