We are supporting the search for a Senior Manager, People Operations – North Asia, a newly created leadership role responsible for overseeing People Operations across Japan and Korea. This position plays a critical role in ensuring high-quality HR service delivery, strong compliance, and continuous process improvement, while leading and developing a regional People Operations team.

This is an urgent hire for an experienced People Operations leader who can balance operational excellence with transformation initiatives in a dynamic, regional environment.

About the Role

The Senior Manager, People Operations will be accountable for the end-to-end delivery of HR operational services in Japan and Korea. The role has a strong people management focus, leading a team of 5–6 professionals and managing external service providers. In addition to day-to-day operations, the role will actively contribute to HR transformation projects, including the implementation of a new global HR system and broader process optimization initiatives aimed at improving efficiency, compliance, and employee experience.

Responsibilities:

Ensure Smooth HR Service Delivery (Japan & Korea)

• Oversee daily People Operations activities, ensuring timely and accurate HR support for employees and managers.
• Manage internal teams and external vendors covering:
• Onboarding and offboarding processes
• Employee lifecycle changes (promotions, transfers, salary updates)
• HR inquiries and case management
• HR documentation, workflows, and system updates
• Maintain high service standards and consistent service delivery across markets.

Ensure Legal and Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with local labor laws and regulations, with a strong focus on Japan and oversight support for Korea.
• Stay current on regulatory and labor law changes and translate them into compliant HR processes.
• Oversee government reporting, audits, data privacy, and compliance governance.
• Maintain clean, accurate, and audit-ready HR data.

Drive Process Improvement and Transformation

• Lead initiatives to streamline, standardize, and improve HR operational processes across Japan and Korea.
• Support the transition to a new global HR system and optimize post–go-live operations.
• Digitize and automate HR workflows where possible to improve efficiency and employee experience.
• Analyze HR case trends to identify root causes and eliminate recurring operational issues.

Lead and Develop the People Operations Team

• Manage, coach, and develop a People Operations team of 5–6 members.
• Monitor service quality and team performance against defined service standards.
• Manage relationships and performance reviews of external HR service providers.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and customer-focused service.

Requirements

• Strong background in People Operations or HR Operations within a complex, multinational environment.
• Solid experience with payroll operations, labor law compliance, and regulatory requirements, particularly in Japan.
• Proven experience leading service delivery teams and managing external HR vendors.
• Experience driving HR projects, process improvement, or transformation initiatives.
• Exposure to HR systems implementations or major system transitions is highly desirable.
• Strong stakeholder management, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, change-oriented environment.

Why Apply

• Opportunity to take ownership of a newly created regional leadership role with high visibility and impact.
• Strong balance between operational leadership and transformational work.
• Chance to shape and standardize People Operations across two key markets.
• Collaborative regional environment with flexibility through a hybrid working model.
• Attractive work-life balance initiatives, including enhanced flexibility at the end of the workweek.