Operations Lead (Playtesting)

About Us:

Lysto is leveling up the gaming industry by enabling Growth for Games and Rewards for Gamers. Lysto supports game studio growth through playtesting, acquisition, and retention tools while offering gamers opportunities to play for rewards every day.

If you're passionate about working at the intersection of game studios, gamers, and cutting-edge technology, Lysto is the place for you!

We're seeking an Operations Lead to drive the execution and delivery of our playtesting and player insights initiatives. This role will focus on managing projects end-to-end ensuring smooth planning, recruitment, delivery, and reporting. The Ops Lead will collaborate closely with the Player Recruitment & Growth Specialist (responsible for acquisition channels) and the Head of User Research (responsible for frameworks and methodologies) to create a tightly integrated function that delivers high-quality insights to our clients.

This is a hands-on role that blends project management, stakeholder collaboration, and operational leadership, requiring someone with a strong playtesting background. Where that experience is not available, we are open to Indian candidates with solid project management experience in fast-paced environments.

• Oversee the execution and delivery of all playtesting and research projects, ensuring high-quality, timely, and cost-efficient outcomes.

• Manage full project lifecycles from scoping, planning, and scheduling to execution, reporting, and delivery, with a focus on optimizing operational spend and delivery efficiency.

• Optimize Recruitment Costs (PAC): Continuously analyze the ROI of recruitment channels (paid media, communities, partnerships) and implement strategies to lower Player Acquisition Cost while maintaining player quality.

• Manage Player Panel Health & Retention: Forecast panel supply and demand, run engagement programs and incentives to improve retention and reduce long-term acquisition dependency.

• Oversee Incentive & Payout Management: Design and implement fair, compliant, and timely payment systems across global regions, ensuring player satisfaction and fiscal control.

• Partner with the Head of User Research to translate research goals into actionable delivery plans with defined budgets, milestones, and success metrics.

• Lead cost modeling and forecasting for playtesting operations, projecting variable expenses like incentives, recruitment costs, and platform usage to support budget planning.

• Efficiently allocate operational resources (human, financial, and technological) to maximize player quality, delivery speed, and overall ROI.

• Support pre-sales and client conversations by outlining cost-effective delivery models, timelines, and operational capabilities.

• Foster strong client relationships, serving as the go-to person for all project execution and delivery updates.

• Mentor and guide team members, building operational excellence and financial discipline across the playtesting org.

• 5+ years of experience in operations, ideally with exposure to budget management or cost optimization.

• Demonstrated expertise in recruitment cost optimization analyzing acquisition spend, ROI, and implementing strategies to improve efficiency.

• Proven ability to manage multiple projects while maintaining quality, timelines, and cost targets.

• Hands-on experience with incentive and payout management across global markets, ensuring compliance and smooth player experience.

• Proficiency in cost modeling, forecasting, and operational analytics to support decision-making and financial planning.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to bridge client needs and internal delivery priorities.

• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable in fast-paced, remote-first environments.

• Bonus: Prior experience in playtesting recruitment, cost optimization initiatives, or presenting operational best practices in gaming forums.

• Be part of a forward-thinking company at the intersection of gaming, research, and innovation
• Work in a collaborative and impact-driven environment where your insights directly shape products and strategies
• Take on a global leadership role with the freedom to build, mentor, and scale your own research practice
• Enjoy flexible, remote-friendly work arrangements that support work-life balance
• Access to growth opportunities, cross-functional collaboration, and industry visibility

Apply now to help shape the future of player insights and lead impactful research at the heart of gaming.