Head of HR Operations & Programmes, Asia Pacific

Head of HR Operations & Programmes, Asia Pacific

You love building the engine room behind great people experiences. Being in the thick of the action and making a difference are exhilarating for you. You get a buzz from turning complex regulations, systems and processes into something simple, human and scalable.

The Plot Thickens: Job Description

As Head of HR Operations & Programmes, you will be the regional lead for People operations across APAC, working closely with the Chief People Officer, HRBPs, Talent Acquisition & Employer Branding, Finance, Legal and Workplace teams.

You’ll:

Own HR Operations & Employee Experience (APAC-wide)

Design and lead a consistent HR operations framework across APAC – from onboarding to offboarding and everything in between.

Ensure our HR processes are simple, employee-centric and aligned with our culture and values.

Oversee HR data integrity, employee records and HR systems

Lead Regional Payroll & Compliance

Oversee payroll operations across APAC markets together with local teams and external vendors to ensure accurate and timely processing.

Ensure HR practices meet local labour, social security, tax and employment regulations in each market.

Act as the escalation point for regional compliance matters and partner with Legal/Finance on audits and statutory reporting.

Drive Change Management & People Programmes

Lead people-related change initiatives (new HR systems, policy changes, organisation changes, benefits launches, ) with clear communication and thoughtful change plans.

Partner with HRBPs and leaders to turn ideas into implementable programmes that land well on the ground.

Build toolkits, playbooks and timelines so markets know what to do, when, and how.

Shape Employee Experience, Onboarding & Offboarding

Design and continually refine onboarding experiences that help new joiners feel connected, clear and set up for success from Day One.

Ensure offboarding is handled with care, consistency and compliance, protecting both our people and the company.

Use feedback and data (surveys, exit themes, service SLAs) to improve key touchpoints

Steer HR Vendors, Tools & Infrastructure

Lead selection, onboarding and ongoing management of HR vendors (payroll providers, benefits partners, HR tech platforms, etc.).

Own the HR technology roadmap in partnership with IT – from HRIS and payroll tools to ticketing and knowledge bases.

Ensure strong contracts, service levels and value for money

Oversee Safety, Security & Workplace Operations (with local teams)

Partner with Workplace / Office Operations teams in each market to ensure safe, secure and well-run offices.

Coordinate regional standards for health & safety, emergency response and business continuity, with room for local adaptation.

Run Budgeting, Analytics & Operations Reporting

Manage the People & Culture operations budget for APAC, working closely with Finance.

Build and maintain operational dashboards (e.g., headcount, turnover, payroll accuracy, cycle times, onboarding metrics).

Share insights and recommendations with leadership to support better decision-making.

Lead and Grow the Team

Lead, coach and develop the HR Operations and Workplace/Office Operations teams across APAC.

Foster a culture of service excellence, accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.

Help your team grow their skills in project management, systems thinking and stakeholder management.

Attributes of the Protagonist (That’s You)

You’re likely to see yourself in most of these:

Systems Thinker – You naturally look for patterns, root causes and scalable solutions, not quick fixes.

Empathetic Operator – You care about both the process and the person at the other end of it.

Calm Under Pressure – You stay composed when juggling deadlines, stakeholders and multiple markets.

Change Champion – You know how to bring people along on the journey, not just announce changes.

Data-Curious – You enjoy turning numbers into stories and

Collaborator – You value partnership with HRBPs, TA, Finance, Legal, IT and office

Practical & Hands-On – You’re willing to roll up your sleeves when

Inclusive & Respectful – You create space for diverse perspectives and ensure policies/processes are fair.

Sense of Humour – You don’t mind laughing (including at yourself) even when things get busy.

The Hero’s Background: Qualifications

Significant experience in HR, with a strong focus on HR Operations and/or HR shared services in multi-country APAC environments.

Solid knowledge of payroll operations, HR compliance and employment regulations across several Asian markets (e.g., Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia).

Proven track record in leading cross-functional programmes and change initiatives (systems implementation, policy rollouts, org changes, etc.).

Experience managing regional teams and working in a matrix environment with multiple stakeholders.

Comfortable working with HRIS / payroll systems, data and reporting

Strong communication skills – able to explain complex concepts in a simple, human way to different audiences.

Fluent in English; additional Asian language(s) would be a plus, but not a

A mindset that values learning, experimentation and continuous improvement over “how it’s always been done.”

(If you see yourself in most, but not all, of the above, we’d still love to hear from you.)

 How the Story Continues (What You’ll Gain)

A front-row seat in shaping the People & Culture infrastructure that supports our growth in APAC.

The chance to design and launch programmes that directly impact how people experience Hoffman – from their first day to their last.

Opportunities to collaborate with colleagues across markets and disciplines, and to influence regional and global initiatives.

A culture that values curiosity, creativity, accountability and, yes, good

How to Apply

Come join us and be on the cutting edge of communications. We value diverse thinking, and we regularly push the boundaries of integrated communications.

If you’re interested, please submit your resume and a short note on why this role speaks to you via our careers portal (BambooHR). Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

About The Hoffman Agency

We are an integrated communications consultancy built to solve tough challenges — the more complex, the better — for technology companies shaping the future. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, our network spans across global innovation hubs including Bangkok, Boston, Beijing, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, London, Munich, Paris, Portland, San Jose, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei, and Tokyo.

At Hoffman, we combine deep tech understanding with bold storytelling to help brands stand out, influence conversations, and drive meaningful impact.

For more information, visit www.hoffman.com

We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive workplace — one that celebrates individuality and welcomes people of all backgrounds. We’re an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, or veteran status.

Join us and be at the forefront of marketing and communications innovation, partnering with industry-leading technology brands across the world. We value diverse perspectives, inclusive decision-making, and ideas that push boundaries to shape what’s next.

We offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and career growth opportunities — plus a unique four-week paid sabbatical after four years of service, because we believe in rewarding dedication and balance.