Senior Executive, People & Culture

Taylor's Education Group; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Taylor's Education Group seeks a Senior Executive, People & Culture to support a high-performing HR function across budgeting, expatriate lifecycle management, compensation benchmarking and regulatory compliance in Malaysia.

Working with the P&C Manager, you will enhance workforce planning, implement HRIS enhancements, and drive continuous improvement of HR processes to support international school standards and employee experience.

Qualifications

• Degree in HR, Business Administration or related field.
• Professional HR certification (e.g., MIHRM) is an advantage.
• Experience in budgeting, workforce planning and compensation benchmarking preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support manpower planning and annual P&C budget; provide variance analysis.
• Lead or support compensation benchmarking and market studies for expatriate benefits.
• Oversee end-to-end expatriate lifecycle and permits coordination with authorities.
• Drive HR governance, documentation and analytics dashboards for decision support.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and employer branding initiatives.
• Enhance employee experience through welfare and engagement programs.
• Lead cross-functional HR projects and ensure policy harmonisation.

Skills

Excel proficiency

HR Analytics

Stakeholder mgmt

Budgeting

Regulatory knowledge

Confidentiality

Education

HR/Business degree

MIHRM certification

Tools

Microsoft Excel

HRIS systems

Job description

The Senior Executive, People & Culture plays a strategic operational role in supporting the delivery of a high-performing, compliant, and people-centric HR function at Garden International School.

The role works closely with the P&C Manager to ensure best-in-class HR practices aligned with Malaysian regulatory requirements and international school standards. The incumbent supports workforce planning, budgeting, expatriate lifecycle management, compensation & benefits benchmarking and continuous improvement of HR systems and processes.

This role contributes to building a positive employee experience that enhances the school’s reputation.

1. Workforce Planning & Budget Management

Assist the P&C Manager in annual manpower planning aligned with academic and operational requirements.

Support the preparation and consolidation of the annual P&C budget, including:

• Salary benchmarking
• Insurance renewals
• Expatriate-related costs (visa, relocation, flight benefits)

Conduct cost simulations for new hires and replacement scenarios.

Track and monitor P&C budget utilisation and provide variance analysis and forecasting support.

Provide data-driven insights to support strategic staffing decisions.

2. Compensation & Benefits Strategy and Market Benchmarking

Support periodic review of compensation structures to ensure competitiveness within:

• International schools in Malaysia

Conduct market research and benchmarking on:

• Medical insurance plans
• Expatriate benefits and allowances
• We llness and employee engagement benefits

3. Regulatory Compliance & Expatriate Lifecycle Management

Lead and oversee the end-to-end process of employment permits, teaching permits, nursing licenses, admin permits and permits to study.

Act as primary liaison with:

• Immigration Department of Malaysia
• Ministry of Education (MOE)

Ensure full compliance with:

• Malaysian Employment Act
• Immigration regulations
• MOE requirements for international schools

Proactively monitor regulatory updates impacting expatriate employment and advise the P&C Manager accordingly.

Oversee compliant and smooth onboarding and offboarding of expatriate as well as local staff.

4. HR Operations Excellence & Governance

Drive continuous improvement of non-payroll HR processes to enhance efficiency and employee experience.

Strengthen HR governance by ensuring proper documentation, audit readiness and data integrity.

Oversee accurate HRIS management and reporting.

Develop and refine SOPs aligned with international school governance standards.

Generate HR analytics dashboards (headcount, turnover, leave trends, expatriate status tracking) to support leadership decision-making.

5. Recruitment & Talent Support

Support recruitment strategies for academic and non-academic positions.

Ensure recruitment practices align with safeguarding and child protection standards.

Support onboarding programs that enhance new joiner integration and uphold the school’s employer brand.

Contribute to employer branding initiatives to strengthen the school’s market positioning.

6. Employee Experience & Engagement

Execute and enhance staff welfare and engagement programs.

Provide professional, solutions-oriented support on employment-related queries.

Support professional development administration and logistics.

Contribute to initiatives that promote retention, wellbeing, and positive workplace culture.

7. Strategic HR Projects

Lead or support ad hoc P&C projects such as:

• Policy review and harmonisation
• Organisational restructuring exercises
• Benefits redesign projects

Participate in cross-functional school initiatives where HR input is required.

8. Other Job Tasks

Manage database on staff insurance and provide support to staff on claims enquiries and submission

Facilitate in registration, booking of hotel and transport arrangement for professional development activities

Administer on a daily basis, staff attendance and leaves

Handles queries from staff with regards to their employment matters

Manages end-to-end process of flight cash equivalent

Assist in the compilation and submission of relevant HR reports

Any other relevant duties as assigned from time to time

Job Specifications

Academic / Professional Qualification

Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.

Professional HR certification (e.g., MIHRM or equivalent) is an advantage.

Experience

Minimum 5–7 years of progressive HR experience.

Experience within an international school or expatriate-heavy environment preferred.

Exposure to budgeting, workforce planning, and compensation benchmarking would be preferred.

Experience liaising with Malaysian government authorities is essential.

Competencies

Strong understanding of Malaysian Employment Act and immigration requirements.

Knowledge of MOE regulations applicable to international schools.

Experience in compensation analysis and benefits benchmarking.

Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret HR metrics.

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and HRIS systems.

Strategic and analytical thinker.

High integrity and strong confidentiality standards.

Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.

Proactive, solution-oriented, and able to manage ambiguity.

Ability to balance operational execution with strategic contribution.

Strong service mindset aligned to international school culture.

Education, Training & Professional Development 1,001-5,000 employees

TAYLOR'S EDUCATION GROUP is one of the largest private education groups in Malaysia, with over 22,000 students. With an unsurpassed track record built up over the last six decades, Taylor’s has earned a reputation as the leading private educational provider in Malaysia and offers a wide breadth of education, from pre-school to postgraduate courses.

We have also received a number of people’s choice awards over the last decade, as well as numerous recognitions from professional bodies around the world.

Our core purpose is to educate the youth of the world to take their productive place as leaders in the global community.

TAYLOR'S EDUCATION GROUP is one of the largest private education groups in Malaysia, with over 22,000 students. With an unsurpassed track record built up over the last six decades, Taylor’s has earned a reputation as the leading private educational provider in Malaysia and offers a wide breadth of education, from pre-school to postgraduate courses.

We have also received a number of people’s choice awards over the last decade, as well as numerous recognitions from professional bodies around the world.

Our core purpose is to educate the youth of the world to take their productive place as leaders in the global community.