HR Operations Manager - HR Shared Services Tokyo

Join an innovative global company at the forefront of energy and EV technology as an HR Operations Manager, leading and developing the Japan HR Operations function during a critical period of growth and transformation.

This is a hands-on HR leadership role with direct responsibility for the HR Operations team and the end-to-end employee lifecycle in Japan. You will oversee HR operations, process governance, HR policies, compliance, risk management, HRIS, vendor management, and continuous improvement, while establishing scalable and consistent ways of working.

Working closely with HR Business Partners, Recruiting, Compensation & Benefits, Payroll, Legal, Finance, and IT, you will ensure efficient and compliant HR service delivery. You will also use automation, technology, and HR data to improve processes and strengthen the employee experience.

For an experienced HR Operations leader, this is an opportunity to build and shape the Japan HR Operations function, define the local operating model, develop a high-performing team, and create measurable business impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and develop the Japan HR Operations team, establishing clear responsibilities, service standards, and performance expectations.
• Oversee HR operations across the complete employee lifecycle, ensuring accurate, timely, and employee-focused service delivery.
• Establish and strengthen process governance, standardisation, documentation, and controls across HR Operations.
• Ensure HR processes comply with Japanese employment law, social insurance requirements, internal policies, and regulatory obligations.
• Identify, assess, and manage operational and compliance risks, implementing appropriate controls and corrective actions.
• Manage and maintain HR policies, supporting consistent interpretation and implementation across the organisation.
• Partner closely with HR Business Partners, Recruiting, Compensation & Benefits, Payroll, Legal, Finance, and other stakeholders to ensure smooth end-to-end HR operations.
• Lead process design, continuous improvement, and operational transformation initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to improve HR service delivery through automation, technology, and process optimisation.
• Support HRIS-related initiatives involving platforms such as Workday and SAP SuccessFactors, partnering with IT on requirements definition, testing, implementation, and user adoption.
• Use HR data, reporting, and analytics to identify operational trends, risks, and improvement opportunities and provide meaningful insights to HR leadership.
• Establish scalable processes and operating models capable of supporting continued organisational growth.
• Manage external HR vendors and service providers, monitoring service quality, performance, compliance, and operational effectiveness.
• Build strong relationships across Japan HR leadership and cross-functional teams to ensure HR Operations supports wider business priorities.

Required Skills and Qualifications

Experience:

• 8-10+ years of professional HR Operations experience, including at least 3 years in people management, team leadership, or as a senior process owner.
• Proven experience building, leading, and developing an HR Operations or Shared Services Centre team within a multinational or high-growth organisation.
• Deep knowledge of the Japan employee lifecycle, Japanese employment law, and social insurance requirements.
• Strong compliance and risk management experience within HR Operations.
• Demonstrated experience designing, governing, and standardising HR processes and operating procedures.
• Strong process design, project management, and continuous improvement experience, including transformation through automation and technology.
• Hands-on experience with HRIS platforms such as Workday and SAP SuccessFactors, as well as other HR Operations tools.
• Experience partnering with IT teams on requirements definition, system testing, implementation, and user adoption.
• Strong data analysis and reporting capabilities, including advanced Excel skills and experience translating HR data into actionable insights and recommendations.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Business Administration, or a related field.

Soft Skills:

• Proven people leadership skills with the ability to build, develop, and manage a high-performing HR Operations team.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
• Professional judgement and discretion when handling sensitive, confidential, or complex HR matters.
• Strong sense of ownership, resilience, and attention to detail.
• Ability to deliver accurate, high-quality results in a fast-paced, high-volume, and ambiguous environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to turn operational data into practical recommendations.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across HRBP, Recruiting, C&B, Payroll, Legal, Finance, IT, and other business functions.
• Continuous improvement mindset with the ability to challenge existing processes and identify scalable solutions.

Language Requirements:

• Japanese: Native or near-native level
• English: Business level, including strong written, reading, and verbal communication skills

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

• Additional APAC language skills are highly desirable.
• Experience leading HR Operations transformation within a rapidly growing global organisation.
• Experience developing or scaling an HR Shared Services model in Japan.
• Strong knowledge of HR automation, digitalisation, and technology-enabled process improvement.
• Experience using HR analytics and reporting to support leadership decision-making.
• Experience operating within an automotive, EV, technology, manufacturing, or similarly fast-moving international business environment.

About the Company

Our client is an innovative global company helping shape the future of energy and electric vehicle (EV) technology. The organisation has introduced new energy and EV technologies that have become established within the industry while continuing to respond to emerging trends and challenges.

As the business grows, the Japan HR organisation is undergoing an important phase of development and transformation. Building a scalable, compliant, technology-enabled HR Operations function is therefore critical to supporting continued growth.

This position provides an opportunity to combine HR Operations leadership, Shared Services, HRIS, process transformation, compliance, and people management while helping establish a high-performing HR operating model in Japan.

Why You'll Love Working Here

• Lead and build the Japan HR Operations function during a critical period of growth and transformation.
• Take direct people management responsibility and shape the team's culture, capabilities, and performance.
• Define the local HR operating model and create business impact through operational excellence, automation, and strong compliance.
• Gain high visibility with Japan HR leadership, HR Business Partners, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Drive HR technology and process improvements involving HRIS, automation, data, and analytics.
• Take ownership of a broad HR Operations scope covering the employee lifecycle, governance, policies, compliance, and vendor management.
• Join a mission-driven organisation at the forefront of energy and EV innovation.
• Help build a high-performing, scalable HR Operations function in Japan.
• Receive competitive compensation.

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