Senior HR Generalist - HR Operations & HRBP | Tokyo

Are you an experienced Senior HR Generalist, HR Operations Specialist, or HR Business Partner (HRBP) looking to take ownership of HR operations at a rapidly growing global technology company in Tokyo?

A leading international technology company operating in the aerospace and advanced data solutions sector is seeking a Senior HR Generalist to oversee its Japan HR operations.

This is a high-impact, standalone position where you will serve as the primary local HR contact, providing strategic and operational HR support to executive management and employees across Japan.

You will take responsibility for employee lifecycle management, Japanese labor law compliance, payroll and social insurance coordination, employee relations, HR systems administration, and talent management initiatives.

Working closely with regional and global HR stakeholders, you will ensure that local HR practices meet Japanese employment regulations while aligning with the company's international people strategies.

This opportunity is ideal for an experienced HR professional with strong knowledge of Japanese labor regulations, HR operations, employee relations, and payroll vendor management who enjoys working independently in a fast-paced, multicultural environment.

With hybrid working arrangements, significant autonomy, and exposure to global HR initiatives, this role offers an opportunity to shape the company's Japan HR function and make a meaningful business impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Japan HR Advisory & Business Partnering: Act as the primary HR advisor to Japan's executive management, providing guidance on local employment practices, workforce matters, employee relations, and people-related decisions.
• Employee Lifecycle Management: Oversee the complete employee lifecycle, including employment contract preparation, onboarding, employee documentation, personnel administration, and compliant offboarding procedures.
• Japanese Labor Law Compliance: Ensure HR policies, employment documentation, and workforce administration comply with Japanese labor laws, statutory regulations, and internal company requirements.
• Employee Relations & HR Support: Respond to employee inquiries, resolve workplace concerns, and provide practical HR guidance while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism.
• Payroll & Social Insurance Vendor Management: Coordinate with external payroll providers, social insurance and labor consultants (Sharoushi), and other HR service vendors to ensure accurate and timely administration.
• HRIS & Personnel Data Management: Maintain accurate employee records, verify personnel information across internal HR systems, and support the effective use of HR management platforms and employee service portals.
• HR Process Improvement: Standardize local employment documentation, streamline HR workflows, and identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and service quality.
• Global HR Collaboration: Partner with regional and global HR teams to align Japan's HR operations with international policies and best practices while addressing local employment requirements.
• Talent Management & Employee Engagement: Support the local implementation of global initiatives covering organizational culture, employee wellbeing, performance management, and talent development.
• Organizational Growth Support: Adapt HR processes and employee support practices to meet the evolving needs of a rapidly expanding technology business.

Required Skills and Qualifications

Experience:

• Practical experience in HR generalist, HR operations, HR administration, or HR business partnering roles.
• Strong working knowledge of Japanese labor laws, employment regulations, social insurance systems, statutory benefits, and standard employment practices.
• Hands-on experience managing employee lifecycle processes, including Japanese employment contracts, onboarding, personnel administration, and offboarding.
• Experience coordinating with external payroll providers, social insurance and labor consultants (Sharoushi), or other HR service vendors.
• Experience maintaining employee records and working with HRIS platforms, HR management systems, or internal employee service portals.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate HR documentation, verify employee information, and support compliance with internal policies and local regulations.
• Experience handling day-to-day HR operations, employee inquiries, and administrative challenges within a corporate environment.

Soft Skills:

• Excellent organizational skills and strong attention to detail when managing personnel records, employment documentation, and compliance-related matters.
• High level of discretion, confidentiality, and professional judgment when handling sensitive employee information and workplace concerns.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for advising senior management and supporting employees.
• Excellent cross-cultural communication skills, including the ability to explain Japanese employment practices and local HR requirements to international stakeholders.
• Independent, proactive, and solution-oriented approach to managing HR responsibilities.
• Ability to balance routine HR administration with changing business priorities in a fast-growing organization.
• Strong problem-solving skills and flexibility when responding to unexpected employee or operational requirements.
• Collaborative mindset and willingness to work across departments, cultures, and international teams.

Language Requirements:

• Japanese: Fluent proficiency for employee relations, labor law compliance, local HR administration, and communication with Japanese stakeholders.
• English: Fluent proficiency for collaboration with global HR teams, management communication, and preparation of business documentation.

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

• Previous experience as a standalone HR Generalist, Japan HR Lead, or primary HR Operations Specialist within a multinational company or high-growth subsidiary.
• Experience working in a global technology company, aerospace business, or rapidly expanding international organization.
• Familiarity with cloud-based HR management systems such as HiBob (Bob), BambooHR, or Workday.
• Experience supporting or localizing global employee engagement, performance management, talent development, or organizational culture initiatives.
• Experience improving HR workflows, standardizing documentation, or implementing global HR processes within a Japan office.
• Ability to operate effectively in an entrepreneurial environment with a high degree of independence and accountability.

About the Company

Our client is an internationally recognized, venture-backed technology company specializing in advanced data systems, enterprise technology, and operational intelligence solutions.

Operating at the intersection of technology, aerospace, and data-driven innovation, the organization provides sophisticated solutions to customers and partners around the world.

With an expanding presence across major international markets, its Japan business plays an important role in supporting regional partnerships and commercial growth.

The company combines the agility and entrepreneurial mindset of a high-growth technology business with the international resources and market presence of an established industry innovator.

Its workforce represents more than 70 nationalities, creating a diverse, collaborative, and English-speaking environment.

Employees work alongside professionals from engineering, data, operations, and commercial functions, contributing to a shared vision of innovation and growth.

The Japan HR function offers an opportunity to take meaningful ownership of local people operations while collaborating with global colleagues and supporting the continued development of the business.

Why You'll Love Working Here

• Standalone HR Ownership: Take responsibility for Japan's HR operations and directly influence how people processes are managed, improved, and developed.
• Strategic Management Exposure: Work closely with Japan's executive leadership as a trusted advisor on HR operations, employee relations, and workforce matters.
• Global & Multicultural Environment: Collaborate with colleagues representing more than 70 nationalities in an international, English-speaking workplace.
• High Level of Autonomy: Enjoy significant decision-making freedom and the opportunity to introduce practical HR improvements.
• Innovative Technology Company: Join a venture-backed business operating in the advanced technology, aerospace, and data solutions sectors.
• Collaborative Leadership & Team Culture: Work with approachable leaders and colleagues across engineering, data, and business operations.
• Stock Option Opportunities: Eligible employees may receive stock options, offering participation in the company's long-term growth.
• Hybrid & Flexible Working: Benefit from a flexible, results-oriented working environment combining office collaboration with regular work-from-home options.
• Agile Working Environment: Experience the fast-paced culture of an innovative technology company with relatively flat organizational structures.
• Professional Development: Expand your expertise across Japan HR operations, HRBP responsibilities, labor compliance, payroll coordination, employee relations, and global talent initiatives.
• Opportunity to Make an Impact: Play a central role in strengthening HR processes and supporting the growth of the company's Japan operations.

Don't Miss Out - Apply Now!