Its all about relationships: A glimpse into Asia’s evolving HR Director role
Nearly half of HRDs in Asia expect designing and managing organisational change to become a bigger part of their role over the next five years.
Stakeholder engagement has overtaken strategic planning as the most critical skill for success, cited by 51 per cent of respondents in Asia.
Organisational politics remains the top hurdle for 40 per cent of HRDs in Asia, while 26 per cent report difficulty finding opportunities for career growth.
Japan stands out for its distinctive approach to HR leadership, with 36 per cent of HRDs espousing stakeholder engagement as a top quality for candidates aspiring to the role.
New research from Hays reveals that Human Resource Directors (HRDs) across Asia are evolving into strategic change leaders, moving beyond compliance to become catalysts for organisational transformation.
The DNA of a HRD report, based on 271 interviews with senior HR professionals across China, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore, highlights a decisive shift in priorities and skills shaping the modern HRD.
HRDs embrace change and influence, face their own barriers to growth
HRDs across Asia are stepping into a new era of leadership, where influence and adaptability are as critical as technical expertise. 44 per cent of HRDs expect designing and managing organisational change to become a bigger part of their role over the next five years. This marks a clear shift from traditional talent retention strategies to a proactive focus on transformation.
Stakeholder engagement has emerged as the most essential skill for success, cited by 49 per cent of respondents, a notable rise from 43 per cent in 2017 and overtaking strategic planning as a critical skill for the role. Commercial acumen follows closely behind at 39 per cent, and remains a top skill required by candidates aspiring to the role.
Despite these advancements, challenges remain. Organisational politics continues to be the most common barrier, reported by 40 per cent of HRDs, while 26 per cent of professionals cite a lack of opportunity for career progression. To stay ahead, HRDs are doubling down on professional development: 53 per cent keep up to date with industry and legislative changes, and 50 per cent attend networking events. Digital platforms play a pivotal role in this effort, with LinkedIn continuing to be the dominant networking channel (87 per cent).
Adrian Lam, Regional Director at Hays Hong Kong SAR:
“In Hong Kong, HR Directors are particularly ambitious when it comes to career progression. Our research shows that 60 per cent are actively seeking a bigger role, whether by stepping into a more complex organisation or moving into a Group HRD position. This appetite for growth reflects the dynamic nature of the market and the desire among HR leaders to broaden their impact.”
“For many, pursuing international opportunities could be a critical step in achieving these ambitions. Across our survey, 82 per cent of HRDs who have worked outside Asia said the experience was beneficial to their career.”
“While the motivations for exploring careers beyond one’s home market may vary, the experience is consistently transformative. International postings are a sure-fire way to expand perspective, strengthen strategic thinking, and equip HR leaders with the tools to navigate today’s complex global challenges with confidence.”
A copy of the DNA of a HRD report is available here.
Hays plc (the "Group") is the world’s leading specialist in recruitment and workforce solutions. The Group is the expert at recruiting qualified, professional, and skilled people worldwide, being the market leader in the UK, Germany, and Australia and one of the market leaders in Continental Europe, Latin America, and Asia. The Group operates across the private and public sectors, dealing in permanent positions, contract roles and temporary assignments. As of 30 June 2025, the Group employed over 9,500 staff operating from 207 offices in 31 countries. For the year ended 30 June 2025:
the Group reported net fees of £972.4 million and operating profit of £45.6 million.
the Group placed around 46,400 candidates into permanent jobs and around 211,500 people into temporary roles.
12% of Group net fees were generated in Australia & New Zealand, 32% in Germany, 20% in United Kingdom & Ireland and 36% in Rest of World (RoW).
the temporary placement business represented 62% of net fees and the permanent placement business represented 38% of net fees.
Technology is the Group’s largest division, with 25% of net fees, while Accountancy & Finance (15%), Engineering (11%) and Construction & Property (11%), are the next largest.
Hays operates in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE, the UK, and the USA.
