HR Director (Startup | HK$1.8m)

Hiring!
Role Purpose

Lead the end-to-end People strategy for Asia (incl. China) to professionalise and uplift the HR function, build leadership and managerial capability, and enable the company’s next stage of growth (new markets, product lines, or potential IPO/M&A). Balance strategic foresight with hands-on execution, modernise HR tech and processes, and ensure compliance across diverse Asian labour regimes.

Key Responsibilities

1) People Strategy & Org Design
  • Define a 3-year People & Culture roadmap aligned to business strategy (headcount plan, skills, leadership pipeline).
  • Re-architect the org where needed (spans & layers, career frameworks, job architecture, levelling).
  • Introduce an operating model for HR (HRBPs + COEs + HR Ops/Shared Services) with clear SLAs and governance.

2) Uplift & Modernise HR Function
  • Evolve HR into a data-driven, service-oriented function with clear KPIs, dashboards, and quarterly business reviews.
  • Upgrade the HR leadership bench; coach and develop regional HR leads and upskill HRBPs to become strategic partners.
  • Implement consistent policies, SOPs, and employee handbook across markets with local adaptations.

3) Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning
  • Build a scalable TA engine for Asia, with special focus on China hiring velocity and quality.
  • Introduce talent marketing and referral programs; strengthen campus/early talent in priority markets.
  • Workforce planning integrated with finance (HC plan, productivity ratios, funnels).

4) Total Rewards & Performance
  • Design market-competitive C&B for Asia with China-specific practices (social insurance, statutory benefits, allowances).
  • Implement pay-for-performance culture (OKRs/KPIs), calibration, and annual cycle (merit, bonus, equity where applicable).
  • Conduct pay equity and compression reviews; maintain transparent leveling and career paths.

5) Learning, Leadership & Culture
  • Launch a Manager Excellence program (coaching, feedback, performance conversations, labour basics in China).
  • Build internal academies for critical roles; succession planning for top 50 leaders.
  • Reinforce culture through rituals, recognition, and values-linked performance.

6) HR Technology & Operations
  • Select/upgrade HRIS (core HR, ATS, LMS, performance, analytics), with China data residency considerations if needed.
  • Standardise processes (hire-to-retire), reduce cycle times, and improve employee/manager self-service.
  • Establish a regional shared services model with clear service catalogue and ticketing.

7) Employee Relations, Risk & Compliance
  • Ensure compliance across Asian markets with deep expertise in PRC labour law (contracts, terminations, social funds, union/employee reps, handbook).
  • Guide complex ER cases, investigations, restructuring, and change management.
  • Collaborate with Legal/Finance on audits, privacy, and cross-border data transfer.

8) Business Partnering & Change Leadership
  • Be a trusted advisor to the CEO, founders, and business leaders.
  • Lead change programs (operating model shifts, M&A integrations, market entries/exits).
  • Communicate clearly to the Board/Investors with metrics and narratives that connect people to performance.

    Experience
  • Bachelor’s degree required;
  • 15+ years in HR, with regional Asia leadership and hands-on China HR experience (must-have).
  • Track record of scaling from startup/scale-up to regional enterprise; experience in hypergrowth or transformation.
  • Built or upgraded HR COEs (TA, C&B, L&D) and HR Ops/Shared Services; implemented HRIS at scale.


If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.

Summary

Job Type
Permanent
Industry
Retail & Consumer Goods
Location
HongKong
Specialism
HR
Ref:
1286207

Talk to a consultant

Talk to Joe Lam, the specialist consultant managing this position, located in Hong Kong
6604-06,66/F, ICC, 1 Austin Road West, West Kowloon

Telephone: 22307932

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