Associate Director - Global HR Solutions

Eli Lilly and; Petaling Jaya; On-site; MYR 414,000 - 580,000; Full time

Job summary

A global healthcare leader is seeking an Associate Director - Global HR Solutions APAC in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The role involves aligning HR operations with business goals, leading global teams, and optimizing HR processes. Candidates should have 8–10 years of experience in HR operations and deep knowledge of global HR systems. This position offers an opportunity to significantly impact HR solutions across the APAC region.

Qualifications

• 8–10+ years of progressive HR operations experience/shared service experience.
• Experience managing global teams and working across multiple regions/time zones.
• Proven track record in process optimization, technology implementation, and service delivery.

Responsibilities

• Align HR operations with global business goals and drive transformation initiatives.
• Lead change across geographies, including process redesign/simplification.
• Streamline HR processes for efficiency and scalability.

Skills

Global HR Knowledge

Stakeholder Management

Change Leadership

Process Optimization

Cross-Cultural Agility

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field

Master's degree (e.g., MBA or HR Management) or relevant certifications

Tools

Workday

SAP SuccessFactors

Beeline

Zendesk

Job description

At Lilly, we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We are a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our employees around the world work to discover and bring life‑changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to our communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. We give our best effort to our work, and we put people first. We’re looking for people who are determined to make life better for people around the world.

Job Title: Associate Director - Global HR Solutions APAC

Job Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Team Overview:

Global HR Solutions provides centralized support for HR operations across regions, (APAC, EMEA, Americas) streamlining processes like payroll, benefits, onboarding, and employee data management. By standardizing services and leveraging technology such as Workday, Beeline, Zendesk, the team ensures consistency, efficiency, and compliance while enabling employees and leaders to access HR support through self‑service tools and helpdesks.

Job Responsibilities:

Global & Strategic HR Expertise

• Global HR Knowledge: Understanding of employment laws, labor relations, and compliance across different countries. The ability to represent these in strategic discussions.
• Global HR Structure: Understanding of the HR structure - COE’s, SBP’s, Local HR remit and what role HRS plays and where to add value.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to align HR operations with global business goals and drive transformation initiatives. Lead through an aggressive AI and automation agenda while right‑sizing and up‑skilling an HRS org for the future.

Leadership & Influence

• Stakeholder Management: Skilled in influencing senior HR leaders, managing cross‑functional relationships, and navigating matrixed organizations.
• Change Leadership: Proven ability to lead change across geographies, including process redesign/simplification, system implementations, and project implementations.
• Team Leadership: Experience leading diverse team of HR Professionals, building HR Skills with a focus on performance elevation, collaboration, and strong service delivery.
• HRS Lead Team: An active member of the HRS LT driving and shaping the future beyond the APAC region. A thought partner in new ideas, better solutions and improved experience bringing in external benchmarking and best practices.

Operational Excellence

• Process Optimization: Expertise in streamlining HR processes (e.g., onboarding, payroll, benefits, compliance) for efficiency and scalability.
• Technology & Systems Savvy: Familiarity with global HRIS platforms (e.g., Workday, Beeline, Zendesk, ChatNow), data analytics, and automation tools.
• Risk & Compliance Management: Strong grasp of data privacy (e.g., GDPR), audit readiness, and internal controls.

Cultural Intelligence & Communication

• Cross‑Cultural Agility: Ability to work effectively across cultures, understanding local nuances while maintaining global consistency.
• Communication Skills: Clear, diplomatic, and persuasive communicator across all levels and regions.

Analytical & Decision‑Making Skills

• Data‑Driven Decision Making: Ability to interpret HR metrics, identify trends, and make informed decisions.
• Problem Solving: Strong analytical thinking to resolve complex operational challenges across borders.

Basic Qualifications:

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.

Preferred: Master’s degree (e.g., MBA or HR Management) or relevant certifications (e.g., SHRM‑SCP, CIPD, PHR/SPHR).

Experience

8–10+ years of progressive HR operations experience/shared service experience including:

Experience managing global teams and working across multiple regions/time zones.

Proven track record in process optimization, technology implementation, and service delivery.

Skills & Competencies

Strong understanding of HR systems (e.g., Workday, SAP SuccessFactors).

Expertise in service delivery models, case management, and employee lifecycle processes.

Excellent leadership, stakeholder management, and change management skills.

Ability to drive continuous improvement, data‑driven decision‑making, and compliance across global operations.

Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form: https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation for further assistance. Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response.

Lilly does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.

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