Sr Manager/Director Digital HR Technology – RAIL Sector (m/f/d)

Description

Company Overview

Through its Social Innovation Business that brings together IT, OT(Operational Technology) and products, Hitachi contributes to a harmonized society where the environment, wellbeing, and economic growth are in balance. Hitachi operates globally in four sectors – Digital Systems & Services, Energy, Mobility, and Connective Industries – and the Strategic SIB Business Unit for new growth businesses. With Lumada at its core, Hitachi generates value from integrating data, technology and domain knowledge to solve customer and social challenges. Revenues for FY2024 (ended March 31, 2025) totaled 9,783.3 billion yen, with 618 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 280,000 employees worldwide. Visit us at www.hitachi.com.

What you’ll be doing

Role Overview

The Director Digital HR Technology – RAIL Sector is accountable for leading the HR technology strategy, execution, and adoption for the RAIL sector, aligned with the Global Digital HR (DHR) vision and governance.

This role owns Workday as the core HR platform for the sector, oversees complementary HR technologies, and leads AI and automation initiatives that enhance workforce experience and operational effectiveness. The Director manages a small sector HR technology team and serves as the primary point of contact (POC) to Global Digital HR, ensuring seamless alignment between global standards and sector-specific needs.

Key Outcomes of the Role:

Effective and compliant deployment and adoption of Workday across the RAIL sector.

Strong alignment between sector HR priorities and global HR technology strategy.

Measurable business value from AI-enabled HR solutions.

Clear governance, accountability, and simplification of the HR technology landscape.

The role will also be responsible for:

1. Sector HR Technology Leadership

Own the end-to-end HR technology landscape for the RAIL sector.

Produce and maintain the 3-year HR technology roadmap and budget

Act as the senior HR technology advisor to RAIL HR leadership

Balance global standardization with sector-specific operational requirements.

Represent RAIL in global HR technology governance forums.

2. Workday Platform Ownership (Sector Scope)

Lead sector-level ownership of Workday in partnership with Global DHR Product Leads.

Sponsor Rail Sector projects and oversee configuration, enhancements, releases, and prioritization across all Functional Areas: Core HCM, Recruiting & Onboarding, Talent & Performance, Compensation & Advanced Compensation, Security, Learning, Absence, Time Tracking, Reporting and Payroll (where applicable).

Ensure high-quality data, reporting consistency, and compliance with global standards.

Drive adoption of Workday best practices and limit non-standard customizations.

Deploy, manage and evolve the Tier 0, 1 & 2 Workday support model. Primary customer PoC for Tier 3 from Global DHR Delivery team.

3. Complementary HR Technology & Integrations

Govern sector usage of complementary HR technologies, including:

Payroll and Benefit platforms in conjunction with Sector Countries and HR Shared Services.

HR Case & Knowledge Management (Workday Help and/or ServiceNow HRSD).

Talent tools (assessments, interviewing, skills intelligence).

Learning Management Systems (LMS); Learning Experience (LXP) platforms and integrations with learning content providers.

Contingent workforce VMS platforms.

Partner with IT and vendors to ensure: Secure, scalable integrations, Stable operations and release coordination, Cost and vendor rationalization.

4. AI in HR & Automation (Sector Champion)

Serve as the sector lead for AI in HR initiatives, aligned with global AI governance.

Identify, pilot, and scale AI use cases across HR from Hire to Retire.

Ensure responsible AI practices, including bias mitigation, data privacy, and auditability.

5. People Leadership & Operating Model

Lead and develop a sector HR technology team, including:

Direct management of sector HR tech resources.

Governance of Regional Digital HR support teams

Coordination with global shared services / support model POCs.

Define clear roles, ownership boundaries, and escalation paths.

Foster a high-performing, globally distributed team culture.

6. Global Digital HR (DHR) Liaison & Governance

Act as the primary POC between the RAIL sector and Global Digital HR

Translate sector needs into structured, prioritized requirements

Ensure sector adherence to:

Global HR technology architecture.

Data, security, and compliance standards

Release and change governance

Monitor and hold Global DHR to account for:

Application availability

Service and Project delivery

Cost and efficiency

Contribute to global roadmap shaping and strategic discussion

Collaboration and support with other DHR Sector Leads.

7. Adoption, Change & Value Realization

Drive adoption and user experience across the RAIL sector

Define and track KPIs related to: System engagement; utilization; Employee & Manager self-service, HR operational efficiency, Business value and ROI

Develop and promote all technology learning channels and guides.

Partner with HR Operations, Change, and Communications teams to embed technology into everyday work.

What you bring to the team

We’re looking for a team player, who is motivated by delivering great work and the Hitachi vision.

The ideal candidate will possess the following skills and background required:

10–15+ years of experience in HR Technology / Digital HR / HRIS

Strong, hands-on experience with Workday in complex, global environments

Proven people leadership experience (direct and matrixed teams)

Experience operating in global, federated HR models

Strong understanding of HR processes, integrations, and data governance

Excellent verbal and written communications – primary business language is English.

Preferred

Experience leading AI or automation initiatives in HR

Exposure to applications in Case Management; Contingent VMS; skills & competencies; learning; payroll and benefits.

Experience in Rail, Transportation, Infrastructure, or Engineering-led industries

Prior experience working across Europe and/or India delivery models

Our Values

We are proud to say we are an equal opportunity employer and welcome all applicants for employment without attention to any factor that doesn’t impact your ability to do the job, including race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. We are proud of Japanese heritage, with our values expressed through the Hitachi Spirit:

Wa – Harmony, Trust, Respect

Makoto – Sincerity, Fairness, Honesty, Integrity

Kaitakusha-Seishin – Pioneering Spirit, Challenge

This role offers the opportunity to shape the future of HR technology for a critical global sector, working at the intersection of Workday, AI, and large-scale digital transformation, while being deeply connected to a global HR technology community.