Employee Relations Lead

The English Schools Foundation (ESF); Hong Kong Island; On-site; HKD 600,000 - 720,000; Full time

Job summary

The English Schools Foundation (ESF) seeks an Employee Relations Lead to join our HR team in Hong Kong. You will manage end-to-end escalations and investigations, advise managers, and ensure compliance with Hong Kong law while upholding ESF values and policies.

You will partner with school leaders and HR colleagues to foster a positive employee experience, deliver training, and drive change initiatives that strengthen our people culture across ESF’s HK schools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR or Law, or related field; Masters ideal.
• Excellent consultative, negotiation, analytical and influencing skills.
• Able to work independently and in cross-functional teams.
• Creative problem solver with a bias for action.
• Adaptable, flexible and collaborative management approach.
• Knowledge of Hong Kong labour laws and regulations.
• Experience with HR systems (Oracle, SAP, Workday) and strong Excel/BI skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end resolution of internal escalations and investigations, ensuring timely and fair outcomes.
• Act as trusted advisor to employees, managers, and stakeholders.
• Provide guidance to school leaders on policies, grievance, discipline, and leaver administration.
• Prepare case files for Labour Tribunal or government bodies and attend hearings.
• Ensure compliance with Hong Kong laws and ESF policies; maintain confidentiality and integrity.
• Deliver training/workshops to strengthen people and culture goals.
• Champion change initiatives and advise on change management strategies.

Skills

Consultative skills

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Influencing

Decision making

Cross-functional collaboration

Legal interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or Law

Master's degree ideal

Tools

Oracle

SAP

Workday

Excel

Google Analytics

BI

Job description

The ESF Human Resources function is committed to pioneering best practices across the entire human resources spectrum. To that end, ESF seeks to appoint an employee relations lead reporting to the Director of Human Resources. This is a unique opportunity to be at the heart of a dynamic education organisation. This role will have a lasting impact on shaping ESF’s and positively impact the next generation.

This human resources professional role will assist and support in managing the Employee Relations portfolio at ESF, oversees the resolution of internal escalations and investigations. The successful candidate will maintain and promote a positive work environment, provide human resources guidance to managers and leaders, foster employee engagement, promote and ensure fair and equitable treatment of all employees and champion HR best practices.

The employee relations lead will assist in the management and resolution of ad hoc human resources questions and issues, working in collaboration with school leaders, to facilitate the smooth interface between ESF and employees. The successful candidate will balance their time between planned projects and reactive situations partnering with school leadership and HR teams to create and sustain a positive employee experience.

Key Responsibilities

Employee Relations

Lead the end‑to‑end resolution of internal escalations and investigations, ensuring outcomes that are timely, fair, and in adherence to ESF’s values, internal policies and service standards.

Be a trusted advisor and facilitator to ESF employees, managers, and key stakeholders.

Assist the ESF HR Director with providing guidance and advice to all schools while staying true to ESF’s vision, mission, goals and policies.

Provide human resources advice and guidance to leaders and managers on policies, grievance and discipline management, terminations and leaver administration.

Prepare and maintain case files for claims made with the Labour Tribunal and/or other government bodies, working with external counsel as needed.

Attend cases at the Labour Tribunal and/or other government bodies.

Ensure all employee relations cases are managed in compliance with Hong Kong Law.

Maintain strict confidentiality, professionalism, and integrity in all interactions and documentation.

Ensure ESF HR deliverables are in compliance with legal, regulatory and ethical standards, of the required quality, in adherence to ESF’s values, internal policies and service standards.

Training and development

Create, prepare and present at workshops to drive ESF’s people and culture agenda.

Deliver training and coaching to ESF Staff members to strengthen proactive conflict management and support continuous professional development

Special Projects/ Change Initiative

Champion and drive change and special projects.

Advise managers and leaders on effective change management strategies and the deployment of change.

Review and enhance HR policies, processes, and programs to better support ESF staff members

Prepare presentations and data/insights analysis working with other ESF HR personnel and stakeholders as required.

Requirement

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Law or a related field. Masters degree ideal.

Excellent consultative, negotiation, analytical and influencing skills.

Confident in decision-making and providing human resources advice and counsel.

Ability to work both independently and within cross-functional teams.

Creative problem solver who is solutions focused with a bias for action.

Adaptable, flexible, open-minded and collaborative management approach.

Ability to interpret legal provisions, policies and procedures.

Proven ability to operate effectively in ambiguity and work effectively in a culturally diverse workplace.

Consultative approach with sensitivity and knowledge of diversity, equality and inclusion.

Strong business/organisational knowledge and savvy.

Solid understanding of a client-facing, HR business partner service mode.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, with the ability to compose a variety of correspondence and professional reports.

Experience with human resources systems (such as Oracle, SAP, Workday) with a high level of technical skill in Excel, Google Analytics, BI, etc.

Experience with Labour Tribunals and/or similar government bodies.

Knowledge of Hong Kong labor laws and regulations is essential.

Applicants must be a permanent Hong Kong resident or possess a valid visa to work in Hong Kong.

ESF is an Equal Opportunities Employer
The English Schools Foundation (ESF) is fully committed to providing equal employment opportunities. ESF will not discriminate on the basis of age, race, colour, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, religion, veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, creed, citizenship or any other status protected by local laws or regulations.
Personal data provided by job applicants will be used strictly in accordance with the ESF's Personal Data Policy, a copy of which will be provided upon request.
ESF is dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students in our care and expects all applicants to uphold this commitment. We adhere to rigorous recruitment practices, with all appointments contingent upon an interview, identity verification, criminal background checks (including ICPC, SCRC, and other international background checks as appropriate), assessment of social media presence, and positive references.
In accordance with the Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2025 guidelines, ESF may perform online checks for all shortlisted candidates prior to the interview.

About Us

The English Schools Foundation (ESF) is the largest English-medium international school organisation in Hong Kong. Our 22 schools and comprehensive programme of extra-curricular activities bring out the best in every student through a personalised approach to learning and by inspiring curious minds.
There are over 18,000 students from 75 different nationalities in ESF kindergartens, primary, secondary and all-through schools.
www.esf.edu.hk

About the Team

The English Schools Foundation (ESF) is a modern, well-managed educational organisation, committed to offering an international education to students drawn from over 70 countries. We are proud to be at the forefront of the educational hub in Hong Kong. We actively take advantage of the opportunities that Hong Kong offers as Asia’s world city and the principal gate-way to China.
The curriculum, leading to the International Baccalaureate, is adapted to Hong Kong, and the Asia Pacific region. ESF’s 1,100 teachers are highly qualified bringing with them experience from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States, the UK and many other international school systems. All schools offer a broad range of out-of-school activities in Hong Kong and overseas.
ESF has over 18,000 students. Our culture is one of joy in learning and pride in achievement. The great majority of our students study for the IB Diploma and gain entry to universities all over the world. ESF has a long-standing commitment to children with individual needs and is the principal provider for English-speaking children with special educational needs in Hong Kong. For further details about ESF, please visit our website at https://www.esf.edu.hk/.