Join an international organisation in Yokohama as an Employee Relations Specialist, providing specialist HR support across Japan and helping ensure fair, compliant, and employee-focused workplace outcomes.
This position will manage a broad range of Employee Relations (ER) matters, including disciplinary actions, grievances, performance issues, organisational change, mutual separations, and workplace investigations. You will work closely with HR teams, business stakeholders, managers, and employees to resolve sensitive and complex cases in accordance with Japanese employment law, internal policies, and Employee Relations best practices.
The role also provides an opportunity to strengthen ER capabilities across the organisation by delivering manager training, developing policies and guidance, and sharing employment law developments with People Operations and People Partnering teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage and advise on a broad range of Employee Relations matters across Japan, including disciplinary actions, grievances, performance issues, organisational change, mutual separations, and workplace investigations.
- Partner closely with HR and business stakeholders to ensure ER cases are handled fairly, consistently, and in compliance with Japanese employment legislation and company policies.
- Lead and support workplace investigations, including fact-finding, interviews, documentation, case management, report preparation, and maintenance of accurate and confidential case records.
- Provide practical guidance to managers, HR professionals, and People teams on complex or sensitive workplace and employee issues.
- Deliver Employee Relations training and guidance to managers and People teams, strengthening their ability to manage workplace issues effectively.
- Collaborate with People Operations and People Partnering teams to communicate developments in Japanese employment law and promote consistent ER best practices.
- Support the consistent application of employment policies, processes, and procedures across the organisation.
- Develop, review, and maintain Employee Relations policies, procedures, templates, guidance materials, and employment-related agreements.
- Manage multiple ER cases and competing priorities while maintaining confidentiality, accuracy, and appropriate documentation.
Required Skills and Qualifications
Experience:
- Strong knowledge of Japanese employment law, Employee Relations practices, and relevant regulatory requirements.
- Proven experience managing complex Employee Relations matters within a sophisticated, fast-paced, or multinational business environment.
- Strong experience conducting and managing workplace investigations, including fact-finding, interviews, case documentation, stakeholder communication, and report preparation.
- Experience handling sensitive employee matters professionally and with appropriate confidentiality and discretion.
- Strong case management capabilities with the ability to manage multiple Employee Relations issues and competing priorities simultaneously.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and report-writing capabilities, with the ability to assess complex situations and provide clear, practical recommendations.
- More than 6 years of relevant professional experience.
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
Soft Skills:
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to adapt your approach to employees, managers, HR professionals, and senior leadership.
- Strong organisational and prioritisation skills with excellent attention to detail.
- Resilience and adaptability when navigating sensitive, challenging, or ambiguous workplace situations.
- Professional discretion when handling confidential and sensitive employee information.
- Proactive, collaborative, and solutions-oriented approach to Employee Relations.
- Growth mindset with an interest in continuous improvement and strengthening ER practices across the organisation.
Language Requirements:
- Japanese: Native level
- English: Intermediate to Business level
Preferred Skills & Qualifications
- Experience working within a multinational or internationally oriented organisation.
- Experience partnering with People Operations, HR Business Partners, or People Partnering teams.
- Experience developing or improving Employee Relations policies, procedures, templates, and manager guidance.
- Experience delivering Employee Relations or employment law training to managers and HR teams.
- Exposure to Employee Relations matters across complex or highly regulated business environments.
About the Company
Our client is a leading European regulatory organisation supporting businesses across multiple industries, including manufacturing, aerospace, medical, pharmaceutical, and digital sectors.
Operating across highly specialised and regulated industries, the organisation provides an international environment where HR professionals can work with experienced specialists while developing expertise in sophisticated Employee Relations matters.
Why You'll Love Working Here
- Develop deeper expertise in Employee Relations and Japanese employment law while handling a broad range of workplace matters.
- Gain exposure to multiple industries, including medical, pharmaceutical, aerospace, manufacturing, and digital sectors.
- Work alongside highly experienced specialists in their respective fields.
- Take ownership of complex ER cases, including workplace investigations, performance matters, grievances, and organisational change.
- Strengthen the organisation's Employee Relations capability through training, policy development, and continuous improvement.
- Work in an international environment requiring both Japanese and English communication.
- Benefit from a flexible working environment.
- Receive competitive compensation.
Don't Miss Out - Apply Now!
