HR Manager / Senior Manager

This is a newly created role as a hands on operational and strategic individual contributor for a HR pioneer lead in a start up / SME environment. In the new setup, the HR Manager / Senior Manager will cover 4 countries - Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, Japan.

Job Summary

Manage comprehensive HR operations including employee life cycle, payroll, benefits, talent acquisition support, performance management, employee relations, compliance, and HR projects across multiple countries in APAC.

Responsibilities

• Manage full employee life cycle processes including onboarding, confirmation, internal changes, and offboarding to ensure smooth HR operations.
• Maintain accurate employee data and personnel files in HR systems to comply with data governance and audit requirements.
• Prepare HR documents such as employment contracts, addendums, HR letters, and policy updates to support HR administration.
• Coordinate monthly payroll inputs and validate payroll reports to ensure payroll accuracy.
• Administer employee benefits programs including insurance, leave, and claims by liaising with vendors for enrolments, renewals, and support.
• Support employee welfare, wellness programs, and statutory submissions in compliance with local country requirements.
• Partner with hiring managers to support recruitment activities including job postings, candidate screening, scheduling interviews, and communication.
• Support employer branding and enhance candidate experience initiatives.
• Assist in coordinating performance review cycles and track performance milestones to support employee development.
• Support learning and development initiatives by managing training calendars and registrations.
• Serve as first point of contact for HR-related queries, providing guidance on policies and processes to employees.
• Support company-wide engagement activities, events, townhalls, and culture-building initiatives to foster employee engagement.
• Ensure HR practices comply with local labour laws and internal policies to maintain legal and regulatory compliance.
• Assist in drafting, reviewing, and updating HR policies and standard operating procedures.
• Support audits, reporting, and statutory requirements as needed to uphold compliance standards.
• Participate in HR transformation initiatives, process optimisation, and HR systems implementation to improve HR functions.
• Lead or support cross-functional HR projects based on seniority and experience to drive continuous improvement.

Preferred competencies and qualifications

• Degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, or related field.
• HR certification (e.g., SHRM, CIPD) is a plus.
• 8-10 years of broad HR generalist experience or 8-10 years of HR experience with exposure to business partnering or leading HR initiatives.
• Experience supporting multi-country HR operations across APAC is highly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of local labour laws with the ability to quickly learn and navigate HR regulations across multiple APAC countries.
• Demonstrated capability to support cross-border or cross-country HR matters such as onboarding, payroll coordination, benefits administration, and employee relations.
• Ability to partner effectively with remote managers and teams across different time zones and cultures.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills when working with regional vendors, government agencies, and external partners.
• Proactive and resourceful with the ability to operate independently in environments with limited local HR presence.
• Strong organisational skills to manage multi-country processes, documentation, and compliance requirements.
• Proficient in MS Office and HRIS systems.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-growth environment with evolving regional HR needs.

.Compensation commensurate with experience

..If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion.
Referrals are welcome.

Interested candidates may send their CV to MAC (Reg No. R1221300) at [Confidential Information] quoting the job title in the Subject line. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.