Game Lounge Career Spotlight: Reyes Jara

From project management to operational leadership

Reyes first joined Game Lounge as a Project Manager, focusing on high-impact projects and cross-team collaboration. Drawn to the company’s fast-moving and data-driven environment, she saw an opportunity to grow alongside a business that valued problem-solving and continuous learning.

“When I started, we were only 15 employees, but I already saw the potential to contribute meaningfully in a company that values proactive problem-solving and has a culture of continuous learning – two areas that align perfectly with my professional mindset,” she explains.

Her ability to tackle complex challenges led to her promotion to Country Operations Manager for Spain in 2019. In this role, she took on the ambitious task of building the company’s Spanish operations from the ground up.

“One of the most challenging yet rewarding projects was setting up Game Lounge’s operations in Spain – managing financial, legal, and labor aspects while ensuring everything ran smoothly,” she says. “I didn’t have prior experience in this area, but I jumped in with an open mind, a proactive decision-making mindset, and close collaboration with stakeholders. By aligning efforts across external teams and staying adaptable, we made it happen.”

By 2022, she was balancing two roles, continuing to oversee the Spanish company while also taking on company-wide process improvements – identifying inefficiencies, refining workflows, and enhancing overall operational performance. This was the perfect lead-up to her current role as Head of Operations, which she stepped into in 2025, where she leads company-wide efforts to refine workflows and drive operational excellence.

Evolving leadership and driving innovation

Stepping into leadership early on in her career, Reyes initially focused on structure and efficiency, and she has since developed a more people-centric approach.

“Leadership is an ongoing learning experience,” she reflects. “Early in my career, I concentrated on making sure everything ran smoothly. But as I took on greater responsibilities, I realised leadership is just as much about people as it is about processes.”

She believes in servant leadership – supporting teams so they can perform at their best while aligning efforts with strategic goals. Clear communication, empowerment, and trust have become central to her approach.

One of her standout achievements was the transformation of Game Lounge’s operator account management system.

“We transitioned from a basic spreadsheet to a fully integrated internal platform designed to meet the needs of all stakeholders while providing real-time insights,” she explains. “It was a cross-departmental collaboration that significantly improved efficiency and made our workflows more effective.”

Even after nearly a decade at Game Lounge, Reyes remains inspired by the company’s dynamic, forward-thinking culture.

“No two days are the same!” she says. “We’re constantly adapting, testing new strategies, and learning from data. That’s what makes it exciting.”

Advice for career growth

Reyes’ journey from Project Manager to Head of Operations highlights the opportunities available at Game Lounge for those willing to take initiative. Her advice? Step outside your comfort zone.

“I’ve learned the most when I’ve taken on something completely new,” she says. “Even if you don’t have all the answers, having a proactive mindset and collaborating with the right people will take you far.”

She also emphasises the importance of staying open to learning and adapting.

“The more you listen, empower those around you, and align efforts toward a common goal, the more effective you become,” she adds.

Looking ahead, Reyes is excited to continue shaping Game Lounge’s operational strategies, making processes even more efficient and scalable. And if her career growth proves anything, it’s that growth is always possible – as long as you’re willing to take the leap.