HR Generalist

Canonical is hiring a Graduate HR Generalist – APAC to support its People function across the Asia-Pacific region. This is a remote position designed for an early-career HR professional who wants to develop within a globally distributed technology company.

The role combines day-to-day HR support with broader People projects. The successful candidate will respond to team members’ questions, maintain HR information systems, support onboarding, assist with benefits and payroll processes, manage employment documentation, and contribute to global HR initiatives.

Canonical is looking for someone who can work independently, take a hands-on approach, communicate effectively with people at different levels of the organization, and maintain a high standard of accuracy and confidentiality.

The company specifically highlights the importance of high achievement in high school and graduate studies, excellent communication, the ability to prioritize complex workloads, integrity when handling confidential information, adaptability, initiative, and a strong ambition to build a career in HR. Internship experience in an HR or People team is beneficial, particularly within the technology industry.

About Canonical

Canonical is a technology company focused on open source software and is the publisher of Ubuntu, a widely used open source operating system and platform.

The company works across areas including enterprise computing, public cloud, data science, artificial intelligence, engineering, IoT, infrastructure, and open source technologies. Canonical describes itself as a pioneer of global distributed collaboration, with 1,200+ colleagues across 75+ countries and very few office-based roles.

Canonical was founded in 2004 and has operated with a remote-first approach since its inception. The company describes its working environment as one that challenges employees to learn new skills, work effectively across borders, and maintain a high standard of performance.

What Is the Graduate HR Generalist Role?

The Graduate HR Generalist – APAC role is an early-career People/HR position supporting employees and HR processes across the Asia-Pacific region.

The position covers a broad range of HR activities rather than focusing on just one specialty. This includes employee support, HRIS administration, onboarding, benefits, payroll coordination, employment records, internal projects, and process improvement.

The role also provides an opportunity to work with managers, employees, leads, and executives across a globally distributed organization.

Because Canonical operates internationally, the role requires someone who can work across different teams, cultures, and processes while maintaining accuracy and professionalism.

Key Responsibilities

1. Provide HR Support

• Answer team members’ questions regarding employment and contracts.
• Respond to HR-related requests and inquiries.
• Provide information about the new starter process and onboarding.
• Support questions regarding global benefits.
• Assist with employment verification requests.
• Escalate issues when necessary.
• Provide general HR support to employees across the APAC region.

2. Maintain the HRIS

• Maintain Canonical’s HR information system.
• Process team-member changes accurately and on time.
• Process information related to new joiners.
• Maintain accurate employee records.
• Ensure HR information remains current and reliable.

3. Support HR Projects

• Own global People projects.
• Contribute to initiatives related to engagement, training, or company culture.
• Take responsibility for assigned projects.
• Help deliver initiatives that support Canonical’s global People strategy.

4. Partner With Managers and Employees

• Work closely with managers and employees.
• Support HR processes within assigned areas of responsibility.
• Help drive the People strategy for those areas.
• Act as a global HR partner to colleagues.
• Communicate effectively with leads, managers, and executives.

5. Manage New-Hire Processes

• Process new hires.
• Handle country-specific onboarding documentation.
• Create employee files.
• Coordinate system setup.
• Coordinate introductory reviews.
• Help ensure new employees have the required administrative support during onboarding.

6. Support Benefits and Payroll

• Assist employees with benefits enrollment and processing.
• Support the payroll process.
• Ensure monthly payroll-related data is provided on time.
• Maintain accuracy in information supplied for payroll.
• Liaise with payroll teams to help ensure smooth salary payments.

7. Provide Administrative Support

• Create purchase orders for internal departments.
• Provide administrative support related to employee benefits.
• Assist with other HR and People administration as required by the role.

8. Conduct HR Audits

• Regularly audit employment files.
• Review HR systems for accuracy and completeness.
• Ensure records remain up to date.
• Help maintain GDPR-compliant employment information.
• Identify discrepancies and support appropriate corrections.

9. Improve HR Processes

• Continually review existing HR processes.
• Identify areas where processes can be improved.
• Suggest ideas that can make the HR function more effective.
• Contribute to initiatives that help move the People function forward.

Eligibility Criteria

Canonical is looking for candidates who demonstrate strong academic achievement and the potential to grow within HR.

The listing highlights the following qualifications:

• A track record of exceptional achievement from high school and graduate studies.
• Internship experience within an HR or People team is beneficial.
• Technology-industry HR internship experience is preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize complex workloads.
• Strong time-management skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Self-motivation.
• Results-oriented approach.
• Strong focus on accuracy.
• High level of honesty and integrity.
• Ability to handle confidential information.
• Flexible attitude.
• Ability to adapt to change.
• Willingness to take initiative.
• Ability to provide suggestions and ideas.
• Strong ambition to build a career within HR.
• Willingness to travel up to four times a year for internal events.

Academic and Graduate Requirements

The application asks candidates to provide information about their academic performance.

Applicants are asked to provide their high-school performance in mathematics and their native language, along with supporting rationale or evidence. The application allows candidates to reference applicable scoring systems, rankings, awards, or competitive/selective college entrance results.

Candidates are also asked to provide their bachelor’s degree result or expected result, including the relevant grading system.

Canonical states in the application that candidates who did not attend or complete university can continue the application and enter “no degree.”

Remote Work and Global Collaboration

The position is home based in the APAC region.

Canonical’s distributed working model means employees collaborate across countries and time zones. The company states that most colleagues have worked from home since Canonical was founded in 2004.

Although the position is remote, the company requires colleagues to meet in person at internal company events. The application states that these events occur 2–4 times per year and can last between 1–2 weeks, potentially requiring international travel, visas, and vaccinations.

Travel Requirements

The job listing specifies a willingness to travel up to four times a year for internal events.

The application further explains that Canonical expects colleagues to meet in person at company events two to four times annually. Candidates should therefore be prepared for international travel associated with these events.

Salary and Compensation

The current listing does not provide a specific salary figure for this position.

Canonical states that compensation is shaped by geographical location, experience, and performance. The company also says that compensation is reviewed annually, with reviews occurring more frequently for graduates and associates to recognize outstanding performance.

In addition to base pay, Canonical offers a performance-driven annual bonus.

Benefits and Perks

Canonical lists several benefits and programs for its colleagues, including:

• Distributed work environment.
• Twice-yearly team sprints in person.
• USD 2,000 per year personal learning and development budget.
• Annual compensation review.
• Recognition rewards.
• Annual holiday leave.
• Maternity and paternity leave.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Opportunities to travel to new locations to meet colleagues.
• Priority Pass.
• Travel upgrades for long-haul company events.

Important Application Requirements

The application process asks candidates to provide more than a standard resume.

Applicants are asked to provide:

• First and last name.
• Email address.
• Phone number.
• Resume.
• Cover letter.
• High-school mathematics performance.
• High-school native-language performance.
• Supporting rationale or evidence for academic selections.
• Bachelor’s degree result or expected result.
• An example of an initiative the candidate has delivered that was exceptional.
• Confirmation of willingness and ability to attend required company events.
• Current country of work.
• Website and LinkedIn profile.
• Other information requested as part of Canonical’s recruitment process.

The application also includes voluntary equal-opportunity questions covering areas such as gender, nationality, and race or ethnicity. Canonical states that these details are requested for equal-opportunity and legal purposes and are not used by decision makers.

Important Note About AI and Application Content

Canonical’s application explicitly states that candidates must use their own words during the application process.

The application warns that plagiarism or the use of AI or other generated content can result in disqualification. Candidates should therefore prepare and submit original application responses that accurately represent their own experience, achievements, and qualifications.

Who Can Apply?

This opportunity may be suitable for candidates who:

• Are graduates or early-career HR professionals.
• Have demonstrated strong academic achievement.
• Have HR or People-team internship experience.
• Prefer working in a technology environment.
• Want to build a career in Human Resources.
• Have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Can handle confidential information responsibly.
• Are highly organized and accurate.
• Can manage complex workloads.
• Can work independently.
• Are comfortable working in a global remote organization.
• Are adaptable and willing to take initiative.
• Can travel internationally for required internal company events.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply through the official Canonical Careers listing.

Click the “Apply” or “Apply Now” option on the job page to access Canonical’s application form and submit the required information.

The official listing is currently available through Canonical’s careers website.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the job title?

The position is Graduate HR Generalist – APAC at Canonical.

2. Is this a remote job?

Yes. The role is Home Based – APAC.

3. What experience is required?

The position is designed for graduate and early-career candidates. HR or People-team internship experience is beneficial, preferably within the technology industry.

4. Is HR internship experience mandatory?

The listing describes HR/People internship experience as beneficial, rather than stating it as an absolute requirement.

5. What academic qualifications does Canonical look for?

The company asks applicants to provide evidence of their high-school performance and bachelor’s degree result or expected result. The application also allows candidates without a completed university degree to enter “no degree.”

6. Does the position have a published salary?

No specific salary figure is provided in the current listing. Canonical states that compensation depends on geographical location, experience, and performance.

7. Is there a bonus?

Yes. Canonical states that, in addition to base pay, it provides a performance-driven annual bonus.

8. Is travel required?

Yes. The role requires willingness to travel up to four times a year for internal events. Canonical’s application explains that internal events can require international travel.

9. What does the HR Generalist do?

The role supports employees and HR processes across areas including HR inquiries, contracts, onboarding, HRIS administration, benefits, payroll, employment records, HR projects, audits, and process improvement.

10. Is the role only focused on administrative HR work?

No. The position also includes global HR projects, engagement and culture initiatives, manager and employee partnering, and supporting the People strategy.

11. What benefits does Canonical offer?

The listing mentions a USD 2,000 annual learning and development budget, annual compensation review, recognition rewards, holiday leave, maternity and paternity leave, an Employee Assistance Programme, travel opportunities, Priority Pass, and travel upgrades for long-haul company events.

12. Does Canonical support remote work?

Yes. Canonical describes itself as a globally distributed organization and states that most colleagues have worked from home since the company’s inception in 2004.

13. What communication skills are required?

Candidates should have excellent verbal and written communication skills, along with professional and interpersonal skills.

14. What type of person would fit this role?

The listing emphasizes candidates who are self-motivated, results-oriented, accurate, adaptable, proactive, trustworthy with confidential information, and ambitious to develop a career in HR.

15. Does the application require an example of exceptional work?

Yes. Candidates are asked to provide an example of an initiative they have delivered that was exceptional.

16. Can candidates without a university degree apply?

Canonical’s application states that candidates who did not attend or complete university can continue the application and enter “no degree.” Candidates should still accurately provide the requested information about their educational background.