HR Director Japan & Korea

About the role

The HR Director Japan & Korea is a pivotal leadership position responsible for driving the people strategy and operational excellence across Cic's growing footprint in Japan and laying the groundwork for future expansion into Korea. This role owns the end-to-end management of the employee lifecycle, ensuring that human resources practices are robust, compliant, and aligned with the dynamic needs of our innovation campuses. You will act as a strategic advisor to the Japan and Korea leadership teams, translating business objectives into actionable HR initiatives that foster high performance and a strong organizational culture. The position requires a proactive partner who can navigate complex local regulations while maintaining a consistent global employee experience. You will be instrumental in building trusted relationships with leaders at all levels to support sustainable business growth. This role also involves coaching managers to elevate their leadership capabilities and people management skills across the organization. Ultimately, you will be the guardian of our people policies and processes, ensuring they support our mission to connect thriving innovation communities.

Key facts

What you'll do

Partner with leaders in Japan and Korea to define and execute people strategies that enable scalable business growth and operational efficiency.

Own the end-to-end talent acquisition process, collaborating with hiring managers and the global Talent Acquisition team to build high-performing teams.

Coach managers on leadership effectiveness, goal setting, and feedback to develop a strong leadership pipeline across the organization.

Oversee performance management cycles, compensation reviews, and payroll processes to ensure accuracy, compliance, and fairness.

Lead employee relations and labor management activities, ensuring all practices adhere to Japanese labor law and are executed with professionalism.

Manage HR operations and policies to create a consistent employee experience across Cic campuses in Japan and prepare for future Korea operations.

Analyze workforce data and prepare insights for executive leadership to support headcount planning, budgeting, and organizational decisions.

Serve as a key partner to campus General Managers, aligning HR strategies with organizational goals and stakeholder expectations.

Collaborate with the existing Japan HR team to build a cohesive function and support the establishment of HR processes for the Korea campus.

Ensure compliance with local regulations and global standards, mitigating risk through diligent policy implementation and governance.

Promote an inclusive and engaging workplace culture that reflects Cic's values and supports innovation across all locations.

Provide guidance and support on complex employee relations cases, balancing empathy with sound judgment and legal compliance.

Drive HR initiatives that enhance employee retention, engagement, and overall satisfaction across the organization.

Act as a subject matter expert on HR best practices, contributing to the continuous improvement of People operations in Japan and Korea.

Represent Cic in external partnerships and discussions related to talent and organizational development.

Requirements

Bring a minimum of 10 years of progressive HR experience, demonstrating a strong track record in international or matrixed environments.

Possess deep knowledge of Japanese labor law and employee relations practices, with a proven ability to handle sensitive organizational matters.

Show fluency in Japanese language skills to effectively communicate and build relationships with local teams and stakeholders.

Demonstrate strong business judgment and the ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution.

Have experience managing complex workforce planning, compensation, and performance management processes.

Exhibit high levels of professionalism, discretion, and integrity when managing confidential information and sensitive issues.

Thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt quickly to shifting priorities and ambiguity.

Collaborate effectively with global and regional teams, working across cultures and time zones.

Show a commitment to compliance, governance, and the consistent application of HR policies and procedures.

Have the ability to build trust and influence leaders at all levels without direct authority.

Demonstrate strong analytical skills, using data to inform decision-making and drive people strategies.

Be comfortable managing multiple priorities and delivering high-quality results under tight deadlines.

Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills in Japanese and English.

Nice to have

Preferred experience in the startup and innovation ecosystem, understanding the unique challenges of growth-stage companies.

Background in life sciences or technology sectors, given Cic's focus on innovation-driven industries.

Experience supporting the establishment of new HR functions in emerging markets.

Practical notes

This is a full-time position based in Tokyo, Japan.

The role may require travel to other Cic campuses as needed.

Candidates must be eligible to work in Japan without sponsorship.

The position reports to the Regional Head of HR for Japan and Korea.