Role Overview
As the People Partner for Japan, you will act as the primary People contact for all Japan employees and leaders. You will be responsible for a full spectrum of People team activities across the location, serving as both a hands-on operator, working in partnership with the Global People Partners and other Regional People Partners, benefits contact, and workplace support. This is a visible, relationship-driven role requiring deep expertise in Japanese employment law, Japanese benefits, a passion for culture and engagement, and the ability to resolve employee matters with discretion and integrity.
Key Responsibilities
HR for Japan:
- Serve as the primary People team resource for all Japan employees and leaders, providing HR support.
- Act as the main People Partner presence in the Japan office, ensuring timely, in-person support for employees and leaders, and bridging time zone gaps with global People Team colleagues.
- Build strong, trusted relationships with portfolio managers, senior leaders, and employees across the Japan office.
- Willingness to “roll up your sleeves” and handle all aspects of HR operations, from high-level strategy to hands-on problem-solving.
- Partner directly with business leaders, portfolio managers, and senior stakeholders to deliver both HR guidance and day-to-day operational support, including employee relations, performance management and benefits.
- Serve as the point of contact for complex and sensitive employee relations issues, conducting investigations and providing expert guidance on conflict resolution, disciplinary actions, and grievance processes in Japan.
Regulatory Compliance:
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of Japan employment laws and regulations, ensuring all HR and Benefits practices and policies are compliant with local requirements.
- Administer day-to-day employee benefits operations in Japan, including enrollments, terminations, employee changes, and routine employee support for statutory and company-sponsored benefit plans.
- Maintain required benefits documentation, tracking, and filings, and support compliance with local regulations, internal controls, and audit requirements.
- Respond to employee questions on benefits in Japan, communicate plan details clearly, and escalate complex compliance or legal issues as appropriate.
Culture, Engagement, & L&D:
- Champion the firm’s culture and values by leading local employee engagement initiatives, fostering a high-performance and inclusive environment, and supporting employee well-being. Proactively drive connectivity and collaboration across the Japan office and with global teams, ensuring employees feel valued, heard, and part of the broader firm community.
- Drive the delivery and continuous improvement of learning and development initiatives for Japan employees, identifying local training needs, partnering with global L&D teams, and ensuring alignment with both regulatory requirements and the firm’s strategic objectives. Foster a culture of continuous learning and professional growth across all levels.
Office Support:
- Workplace Experience Services — Oversee reception services, ensuring professional and consistently welcoming experience for all guests, visitors, and staff. Act as the on-site point of contact for outsourced food, cleaning, and office service vendors, monitor performance against agreed KPIs and ensure day-to-day operations meet the firm's standards.
- Preventative Maintenance Oversight— Administer the preventative maintenance schedule for office appliances and facilities, liaising with vendors and building management to ensure repairs and routine servicing are completed on time.
Qualifications
- HR/People leadership experience in a fast-paced, high-performance environment, ideally within financial services or a similarly demanding sector.
- 8 to 10 years of experience within HR Business Partnering
- Deep knowledge of Japanese employment law and HR/Benefits best practices.
- Demonstrated experience handling sensitive employee relations matters with discretion and sound judgment.
- Proven ability to build relationships and influence senior leaders and stakeholders.
- Comfortable operating both strategically and tactically; not afraid to get hands dirty.
- Experience working in a global, matrixed organization and navigating time zone challenges.
- Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
- Fluency in Japanese is required
- Degree in Human Resources, Business, Law, or related field; relevant certifications (e.g., CIPD) preferred.