Director, Employee Relations

Western Digital; Bayan Lepas; On-site; MYR 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A global technology company in Malaysia seeks a Director of Employee and Labor Relations to lead the development of employee relations programs and strategies. The role involves overseeing labor negotiations, building a high-performance team, and ensuring fair treatment of all employees. Ideal candidates should have over 10 years in HR, strong knowledge of labor laws, and excellent communication skills. This position is pivotal in promoting a respectful workplace culture and maintaining compliance in labor relations.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in Human Resources.
• 5+ years of leadership experience.
• Proven record of confident communication.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead a highly skilled group of ER Partners.
• Define and execute the ER strategy in the region.
• Serve as the primary HR leader engaged in regional union and labor relations activities.

Skills

Strong knowledge of labor relations and industrial relations court proceedings

Strong project management

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Education

Law degree highly preferred

10+ years of experience in Human Resources

Job description

Job Overview

The Global Employee Relations Team supports Western Digital ensuring consistency and reducing compliance risks in our employment practices and policies worldwide. The ER Team partners closely with the regional people solutions representatives, HR Centers of Excellence, Ethics and Compliance and Employment Law to review, advise, and investigate workplace concerns and ensure Western Digital’s employees are treated fairly.

Position Summary

We are looking for a Director with a demonstrated passion for building innovative new programs and teams focused on creating and maintaining a positive employee experience for our employees worldwide. The Director must have a fierce commitment to equality and excel in pursuing fairness for all.

As the Director, APAC Employee and Labor Relations, you will support the Global Sr. Director in reimagining work and expanding boundaries to ensure teams are ready for the future of work. You will grow complex investigative and coaching capabilities on the team while ensuring governance and due diligence to minimize risk. You will be the primary liaison between Western Digital, site labor unions, and the Industrial Relations Office and serve as the company’s lead labor negotiator.

The Director will help build a forward‑thinking team that proactively identifies and acts in areas of opportunity. You will work cross‑functionally to bring deep subject matter expertise to people processes and help build a roadmap for Employee Relations and Labor Relations programs and policies. This position reports to the Global Director for Employee Relations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead a highly skilled group of ER Partners.
• Define and execute the ER strategy in the region, providing consulting, support and direction for the ER function in APAC.
• Act as the primary HR leader engaged in regional union and labor relations activities, partnering cross‑functionally to define labor relationships strategy and foster positive collaboration.
• Serve as the key strategic partner for regional HRBPs and Employment Legal to execute on business strategies while mitigating risk.
• Act as the primary point of contact for regional projects/initiatives that have ER implications (including M&A).
• Support investigators in highly sensitive HR and Employee Relations issues, including analyzing data from various internal systems; approving case adjudication; proposing remedial action based on investigation findings; producing thorough investigation documentation.
• Analyze casework trends and produce strategic recommendations to the business to proactively address systemic issues.
• Collaborate, coach and influence leaders on compliance, investigation outcomes and other ER matters.
• Stay current with business trends, HR and ER trends, employment law and the diversity and inclusion landscape.
• Ensure operational excellence and develop a high‑performance team.
• Work directly with internal and external partners to ensure a respectful and inclusive workplace culture.
• Manage administration of labor contracts; provide interpretation of labor contracts to managers, employees and HR staff; oversee processes for review and resolution of employee grievances.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in Human Resources.
• 5+ years leading complex investigations.
• 5+ years of leadership experience.
• 5+ years of experience in labor relations, including at least 5 years as a lead labor negotiator (preferred).
• Approx. 20% travel required.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, demonstrating an ability to earn trust, dive deep and work successfully on a broad spectrum of employee and labor relations issues and business challenges.
• Strong grounding in labor and employment law, inclusive of union negotiations and investigative practices in Malaysia.

Required Knowledge & Skills

• Strong knowledge of labor relations and industrial relations court proceedings.
• Strong knowledge of RBA and internal audit processes.
• Passion for Talent Management and the Central Investigations processes.
• Strong project management, capable of independently owning large‑scale, network‑wide projects; demonstrates an inclusive leadership style and a commitment to equality.
• Experience developing high‑performing teams.
• Experience working in a global company leading cross‑functional regional and global projects of significant scope, complexity, and highly sensitive nature.
• Demonstrated success leading programs and driving process improvements.
• High attention to detail including precise and effective customer communications and proven ability to manage multiple competing priorities simultaneously.
• Proven record of confident communication and management of stakeholders across all levels of an organization, including the ability to propose complex solutions and explanations in writing.

Additional Skills

• Able to demonstrate sound judgment even in ambiguous or stressful situations.
• Able to identify and anticipate client needs and make recommendations for implementation.
• The ability to understand business goals and recommend new approaches, policies, and procedures to drive continuous improvement.
• Robust understanding of key HR concepts and practices (employment law, compliance, engagement, retention and performance).
• Very short notice domestic and international travel may be required.
• Conference calls in early morning or late evenings may be normal; flexibility on both your part and the company’s is expected.
• Many activities are highly sensitive and require discretion.
• Law degree highly preferred.
• Experience in a manufactory environment a plus.
• Knowledge of China and other APAC countries’ labor and employment law a plus.

Additional Information

Western Digital thrives on the power and potential of diversity. As a global company, we believe the most effective way to embrace the diversity of our customers and communities is to mirror it from within. We believe the fusion of various perspectives results in the best outcomes for our employees, our company, our customers, and the world around us. We are committed to an inclusive environment where every individual can thrive through a sense of belonging, respect and contribution.

Western Digital is committed to offering opportunities to applicants with disabilities and ensuring all candidates can successfully navigate our careers website and hiring process. Please contact us at ***************@wdc.com to advise us of your accommodation request. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.

Notice to Candidates

Please be aware that Western Digital and its subsidiaries will never request payment as a condition for applying for a position or receiving an offer of employment. Should you encounter any such requests, please report it immediately to Western Digital Ethics Helpline or email **********@wdc.com.