Role Introduction

Reports to: Regional General Manager - Northeast Asia / General Manager Employee Experience

Location / Country: Tokyo / Japan

Employment Condition: 5-year fixed term contract with the opportunity to become permanent

Shape the people and information technology strategy for Cathay across Northeast Asia and set the conditions for high performance, strong culture, and engaging employee experiences. This role holds single‑point accountability for people strategy and associated operations across the region, balancing organisation‑level thinking with direct involvement in complex people matters that help influence business outcomes.

Working in close partnership with regional and head office leaders, the role leads to talent management, workforce planning, employee relations, remuneration, organisational design, and compliance, while translating global people frameworks into effective regional practice. The scope spans Japan, Korea and Taiwan, requiring deep cultural awareness, strong governance, and pragmatic leadership in a matrixed environment.

As a senior member of the global People community, the role contributes to shaping Cathay’s future employee experience while role‑modelling people leadership that connects strategy with day‑to‑day reality - ensuring Cathay remains a place where people and performance move forward together.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the regional People and Information Technology functions, establishing best practice and driving collaboration across Northeast Asia
• Own and deliver the regional people strategy, ensuring alignment with global initiatives and business priorities
• Provide strategic and hands‑on leadership in employee relations and industrial relations, including negotiations and complex case management
• Advise and influence senior leaders on people decisions, organisational change, and workforce transformation
• Lead talent development, succession planning, annual team and talent reviews, and regional workforce planning
• Oversee remuneration, benefits and people cost management, ensuring robust governance, data integrity, and performance‑based reward practices
• Ensure full compliance with employment law, health and safety requirements, payroll processes, and people governance across the region
• Foster a culture of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, and advocate for employee wellbeing across the region
• Function as a senior escalation point within the matrix structure, mediating as required and enabling effective cross‑functional collaboration
• Take a leadership role in business continuity, crisis management, and emergency and accident response as required

Requirements

• At least 10 years’ experience in a complex Human Resources environment
• Practical expertise across all core Human Resources disciplines
• Demonstrated strength in mediation, stakeholder management, influencing and negotiationI
• Proven ability to build strong relationships with senior leaders and junior team members alike
• Experience in industrial and employee relations, with a strong understanding of labour regulatory frameworks and workforce trends across Japan, Korea, and Taiwan
• Experience managing complexity across multiple geographies and organisational levels
• High sensitivity to cross‑cultural awareness
• Effective communication skills across multiple channels, with cultural consideration
• A future‑focused mindset with proven ability to drive positive change
• English fluency is required; the ability to speak Japanese, Putonghua or Korean is an advantage

Benefits

• Annual salary: JPY13,800,000 ～ (determined based on experience and skills)
• Corporate Defined Contribution Pension Plan: JPY55,000/month
• Other allowances: Subject to the company policy
• Social insurance: Unemployment insurance, Worker's compensation insurance, Health insurance, Welfare pension insurance
• Commuting expense allowance: Up to JPY50,000/month
• Break time: 1 hour/day
• Off day: Two days off every week
• Probation period: 3 months
• Annual leave: 16 days in the first year after completing probationary period (prorated based on the month of joining)
• Potential for additional discretional bonus (depending on company performance)

We believe that to move our customers forward, we must move our people forward first. Joining Cathay means unlocking a distinctive international lifestyle, supported by a foundation of excellence that respects your life both inside and outside of work.

• A Life in Motion: Highly discounted travel for you and your family
• Design Your Journey: Benefit from structured career progression paths and world-class training
• Security and Peace of Mind: Comprehensive medical coverage, a flexible retirement scheme, and competitive remuneration
• A Culture of Support: Work within a safe, collaborative environment that embraces diversity
• Well-being and Balance: Flexible work schedules and well-being campaigns