Weber Shandwick jobs worldwide

View All Jobs

Senior HR Business Partner (12 month fixed-term)

Tokyo, Japan

OVERVIEW

Part of The Weber Shandwick Collective, we’re the earned-first global communications agency, led by world-class strategic thinkers and creative activators. We create shared and sustainable value for businesses, people, and society. We energise the right mix of talent, using the right platforms and latest technology to choreograph stories that make a real and meaningful impact for some of the world’s leading brands and businesses.

Our game-changing work is recognised by some of the most prestigious industry awards bodies, and we have won more than 135 Lions at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. We’re also PRWeek’s 2024 Global Agency of the Year as well as being listed on the Ad Age A-List 2024 and Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies 2024.

About the opportunity: 

We are looking for an experienced, passionate, and extremely people-focused HR practitioner who thrives in a fast-moving, highly energetic environment for this 12 month fixed term contract. This role demands a personality that is comfortable to engage and partner with leadership, and that can connect with employees across all levels of the business.  The Senior HR Business Partner will have oversight of every aspect of our HR and Talent function – a role which demands both strong human resources acumen and a “change agent” mindset to continuously evolve and enhance existing HR processes and systems.

RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Play a lead role in building and developing a solid Human Resources and Talent team and function in Japan by driving change through process improvement and a forward-thinking approach.
• Ensure full compliance of all HR policies, and legal requirements within Japan market regulations
• Partner closely with the business to ensure solid talent retention programs are in place, bringing an innovative approach to staff career development and incentive programs – integrating the activities with L&D to support development of career paths within the businesses
• Lead the Talent Acquisition function, driving an effective and efficient recruitment process, with the use of the Greenhouse ATS.
• Take ownership and manage the performance review process across the agency (with support of the team)
• Address staff performance issues across the businesses as required, minimizing terminations and legal exposure wherever possible
• Ensure relevant Japan market data on remuneration is systematically collected and used to build reliable compensation models for all levels of employees
• Collaborate on global and regional team activities in areas of recognition and reward strategies, and initiate motivational programs for employees
• Build and lead initiatives to enhance employee experience in collaboration with Japan leadership team
• You will be partnering with the Japan leadership team and have a strong voice in collaboration with other senior leaders, including the Managing Director and Finance Director, as well as all practice leaders
• You’ll partner closely with APAC regional HR and Talent Acquisition leads, with regards to global and regional initiatives, policies, procedures, and requirements

PERSON PROFILE

• Proven background in Human Resources in the Japanese market, with the ability to provide timely strategic counsel, while taking a long-term perspective.
• Able to dive in operationally as and when needed, including providing guidance on Japanese Labour Law
• Proven ability to hire and develop an on-the-ground strong team encompassing the full human resource employee cycle
• Willing and able to work closely with the MD and FD to align on business priorities and map back with HR strategies
• Ability to grasp issues and business realities quickly and establish a rapport with stakeholders at all levels, managing complex relationships diplomatically and consultatively
• Confident and clear communicator, native in Japanese with strong English language skills and the ability to work across markets as needed
• Ability to manage teams and individuals and provide them with the support that encourages and enables them to perform to their fullest potential
• You have exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrable record of building relationships internally with peers, team members and the wider business
• You’re able to prioritize and organize your workload effectively, within a deadline-driven and changing environment, using initiative to make decisions in complex situation

Note from the team

Weber Shandwick is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Weber Shandwick is committed to building a culture where all employees are seen as equal, are respected and where all opinions are heard. We take pride in our inclusive hiring, as well as our diverse workforce and we welcome applications from all qualified candidates

#LI-LW1