Regional Head of HR - Asean (Japanese Speaking)

A leading international organisation (HQ in Japan) is seeking a Regional Head of Human Resources to oversee the ASEAN region, based in Bangkok.

This pivotal role offers you the opportunity to shape and unify HR practices across six diverse countries, driving sustainable growth and nurturing leadership talent. You will be instrumental in transforming fragmented country-based HR operations into a cohesive, scalable framework that aligns with business objectives and supports governance throughout the region. The organisation values collaboration, inclusivity, and supportive leadership, providing an environment where your expertise will have a lasting impact on both people and processes. With newly established role and a commitment to professional development, this position is ideal for someone passionate about building strong networks and fostering positive change.

* Lead the transformation of HR practices across Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines by designing and implementing unified policies and frameworks that support regional growth.
* Champion performance management integration by standardising job grading, compensation structures, and competency frameworks to ensure fairness and transparency throughout the ASEAN entities.
* Drive talent management initiatives focused on succession planning and leadership development, identifying key roles and nurturing future leaders within a collaborative and inclusive environment.

What you'll do:

As Regional Head of Human Resources – ASEAN, you will play a central role in shaping the future of HR across six dynamic countries. Your day-to-day activities will involve collaborating with senior leaders to review current practices, design unified policies, establish robust governance frameworks, and streamline communication channels. You will be responsible for integrating performance management systems that foster fairness while developing standardised compensation structures that reflect market realities. By preparing detailed reports for both regional and global headquarters, you will ensure transparency in all aspects of human resources. Your efforts in identifying key talent will underpin succession planning initiatives designed to nurture future leaders. Success in this role requires a passion for building strong relationships across cultures while balancing local needs with regional objectives.

* Review existing HR policies and practices across all ASEAN entities to identify areas for improvement and harmonisation.
* Design and implement comprehensive ASEAN-wide HR policies, guidelines, and governance frameworks that align with organisational goals.
* Define clear HR authority structures, approval matrices, and decision-making roles between headquarters, regional offices, and country organisations.
* Establish a unified HR reporting structure and communication flow to enhance transparency and efficiency across the region.
* Develop and roll out standardised job grading systems and job architecture for all countries under coverage.
* Integrate performance management systems by standardising KPIs and competency frameworks to drive consistent evaluation processes.
* Harmonise salary structures, compensation ranges, and annual increment guidelines to promote equity across all locations.
* Prepare regular HR reports on compensation and benefits for both regional headquarters and global stakeholders.
* Identify critical roles within the organisation and map key talent across ASEAN countries to support succession planning initiatives.
* Collaborate closely with country managing directors to ensure local needs are addressed while maintaining alignment with regional strategies.

What you bring:

Your Japanese speaking and proven experience as a Regional Head of Human Resources or similar senior HR leadership role will be essential for success in this position. You bring deep knowledge of managing human resources functions across multiple markets. Your expertise includes designing scalable policies that unify fragmented practices while ensuring compliance with local regulations. You have successfully integrated performance management systems using standardised KPIs and competency frameworks. Your background includes harmonising compensation structures tailored to diverse markets while preparing detailed reports for executive stakeholders. You excel at building trust-based relationships with senior leaders from various cultural backgrounds. Your approach is grounded in empathy, collaboration, and sensitivity—qualities that enable you to balance local needs with regional priorities effectively. Fluency in English and Japanese is required.

* Extensive experience in regional human resources management covering multiple Southeast Asian countries
* Proven track record in designing and implementing unified HR policies, governance frameworks, and reporting structures at scale.
* Strong background in performance management system integration including KPIs development, competency frameworks standardisation, and job grading architecture.
* Expertise in harmonising compensation structures such as salary ranges, benefits packages, annual increments guidelines across diverse markets.
* Demonstrated ability to prepare comprehensive HR reports for both regional headquarters and global stakeholders with attention to detail.
* Exceptional interpersonal skills enabling effective collaboration with country managing directors as well as cross-functional teams.
* Deep understanding of talent management strategies including succession planning for critical roles within complex organisations.
* Ability to balance local requirements with broader regional objectives through sensitive stakeholder engagement.
* Commitment to promoting inclusive workplace practices that value diversity across cultures.
* Excellent communication skills in Japanese and English;

What sets this company apart:

This organisation is in the expansion mode to international markets and looking for high experienced HR professional to gear the human resources in all aspects. They are Japanese company with headquarter in Japan and regional office in Thailand. They understand that to grow with solid plan, people are also part of the key elements that they should focus therefore they are looking for someone who can understand Japanese organization while adapting HR practice and knowledge to support leadership team to develop their people.

What's next:

If you are ready to make a significant impact on human resources strategy across Southeast Asia while growing your career within a supportive environment, this is your chance!

Apply today by clicking on the link below.

Due to the high volume of applications, our team will only be in touch if your application is shortlisted.

Robert Walters Recruitment (Thailand) Limited
Recruitment License No.: น. 1188 / 2551