Executive Director (Ref: ED-9/26)

Employees Retraining Board; Hong Kong; On-site; HKD 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Medical and dental benefits

Retirement scheme

Job summary

The Employees Retraining Board (ERB) is seeking a visionary leader to head its Executive Office and steer the transformation toward Upskill Hong Kong (UHK). The role requires extensive senior leadership experience, broad collaboration with government, industries and training partners, and a strong focus on governance and workforce development.

The appointment is initially on contract terms for three years. Reporting through the executive channel, you will shape a forward-looking training

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s or postgraduate degree awarded by a university.
• Minimum of 20 years of managerial experience in a sizable organisation, including senior leadership roles.
• Excellent leadership, strategic planning, integrity and stakeholder skills.
• Extensive knowledge in continuing education, skills training or manpower development.
• Excellent written and spoken Chinese and English; Putonghua a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the overall strategic reform, operation and development of ERB, implementing reform measures.
• If law passes, assume Executive Director of UHK and lead the transition to UHK.
• Drive reform initiatives with government, industries, training bodies and stakeholders.
• Establish and update a forward-looking skills-based training framework for the workforce.
• Manage the Employees Retraining Fund and other resources for long-term development.
• Lead organisational transformation with a high-performing team and governance.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Public sector familiarity

Education

Bachelor's or postgraduate degree

Job description

The Employees Retraining Board (ERB) is a statutory body committed to enhancing the employability and skills of Hong Kong’s workforce. Subject to the enactment of the relevant amendment legislation by the Legislative Council, ERB is expected to be reconstituted as Upskill Hong Kong (UHK), the vision of which will be to foster a future-ready, resilient and high-quality manpower pool for the knowledge-based economy of Hong Kong. Our mission is to cultivate a culture of lifelong learning and empower individuals to thrive in a constantly evolving job market.

We are seeking a visionary and dynamic leader to head the Executive Office of ERB/UHK, steer its transformation, and ensure the organisation is well positioned to meet future workforce needs and policy directions.

Major Responsibilities:

• leading the overall strategic reform, operation and development of ERB, implementing Board-approved reform measures and initiatives, and discharging the duties of the post under the Employees Retraining Ordinance during the transformation into UHK;
• subject to the passage of the Employees Retraining (Amendment) Bill 2026, assuming the role of Executive Director of UHK, implementing all reform measures and initiatives according to the prevailing legislation, and leading the organisation through its transition to UHK;
• driving and implementing reform initiatives in close collaboration with government bureaux/departments, industries, training bodies, training partners and other stakeholders;
• establishing, publishing and regularly updating a forward-looking, skills-based training framework that continues to support grassroots workers while promoting continuous upskilling for the entire workforce;
• managing the Employees Retraining Fund (or such other name as may be provided in the prevailing legislation) and other resources prudently to support the long-term sustainable development of ERB/UHK; and
• leading organisational transformation to realise the vision and mission of ERB/UHK, building and motivating an efficient, agile and high-performing team, and fostering a culture of good governance and integrity.

Entry Requirements:

• A bachelor's or postgraduate degree awarded by a university in or outside Hong Kong, or an equivalent qualification;
• a minimum of 20 years of managerial experience in a sizable organisation, including substantial experience in a senior or equivalent leadership role. Familiarity with the core values and operating mode of Government departments or public organisations would be an advantage;
• excellent leadership and managerial ability, strategic planning and implementation skills, integrity, sharp political and business acumen, the ability to work effectively with a broad range of stakeholders;
• extensive knowledge and experience in continuing education, skills training, manpower development or related fields. Familiarity with the local labour market and industry developments and proven track record in leading organisational reform would be an advantage; and
• excellent command of written and spoken Chinese and English. Proficiency in Putonghua would be an advantage.

Remuneration and Terms:

Successful candidate will be remunerated in accordance with qualifications and experience. Terms and conditions of employment will be agreed and set out in the employment contract. In addition to 5-day week, we provide annual leave, medical and dental benefits, insurance coverage and retirement scheme. Appointment will be initially on contract terms for 3 years, subject to renewal by mutual agreement.

Application Method

The deadline for application is 7 October 2026.