This is a senior Human Resources leadership opportunity within a large, complex organization operating in Japan. The role sits within the HR Business Partner function and plays a critical part in supporting a sizeable employee population while driving people strategy, organizational effectiveness, and leadership capability. The position reports into a senior HR leader overseeing the services/business operations side of the organization and works closely with both regional and global stakeholders.

The HR Director will act as a strategic HR partner to senior business leaders, leading a team of HR professionals and delivering end-to-end HR business partnering support. The role has significant scope across talent, leadership, employee relations, organizational development, and change management, with responsibility for embedding both global and local people strategies in Japan.

This position is ideal for an experienced HR leader who can balance strategic advisory work with hands-on execution in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.

• Lead and develop a team of HR Business Partners to deliver high-quality HR support across multiple business units
• Partner closely with senior business leaders to align people strategy with business objectives
• Drive execution of global and local HR strategies, programs, and initiatives
• Act as the key point of contact for regional and global HR stakeholders and Centers of Excellence
• Provide expert guidance on employee relations, labor matters, and compliance with local employment legislation
• Support leadership development, succession planning, and talent pipeline initiatives
• Lead organizational effectiveness and change management initiatives, including restructuring and business transformation
• Oversee HR process improvements, including use of technology, shared services, and offshore solutions where appropriate
• Support people-related aspects of business initiatives such as M&A, integrations, and real estate changes
• Serve as the final escalation point for complex HR issues within the country

• Extensive experience in HR business partnering within a large, multinational organization
• Proven people leadership experience, including managing and developing HR teams
• Strong knowledge of Japanese labor law and employee relations practices
• Demonstrated ability to operate as a trusted advisor to senior and executive-level stakeholders
• Experience in organizational development, change management, and HR transformation
• Commercial mindset with the ability to link HR strategy to business outcomes
• Strong communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills
• Experience supporting acquisitions, due diligence, and post-merger integration is highly valued
• High level of discretion, judgment, and professionalism

• Opportunity to step into a visible HR leadership role with meaningful strategic impact
• Exposure to senior leadership and complex business challenges
• Ability to shape and influence people strategy in a large-scale, evolving organization
• Broad scope covering leadership, talent, employee relations, and transformation initiatives
• Strong platform for continued career progression within senior HR leadership