Senior Manager, Employee Relations

WD Media (Malaysia) Sdn, Bayan Lepas, Penang; Bayan Lepas; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology firm in Bayan Lepas, Penang, seeks a Director of Employee and Labor Relations. This role involves developing innovative programs to enhance employee experiences and managing labor negotiations. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of HR experience, strong leadership skills, and a law degree is highly preferred. The position offers a significant opportunity to make a positive impact on employee relations strategies in a diverse environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in Human Resources.
• 5+ years of leadership experience in labor relations.
• Strong grounding in labor and employment law in Malaysia.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the ER strategy in the region.
• Act as the primary HR leader for regional union activities.
• Collaborate on compliance and investigations.

Skills

Leadership

Conflict resolution

Communication skills

Knowledge of labor laws

Project management

Education

Law degree

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field

Job description

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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.

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. Our team is responsible for reducing risk to the business by developing programs to empower the next generation of high‑performing, empathetic leaders. The Manager 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 be the primary liaison between Western Digital, site labor unions, and the Industrial Relations Office. You will own and maintain a collaborative labor/management relationship on the ground, serving 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 relations strategy and foster positive collaboration
• Act as the primary point of contact for regional projects/initiatives that have ER implications (including M&A)
• Serve as the key strategic partner with regional HRBPs and Employment Legal to execute on business strategies while mitigating risk
• 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; production of thorough investigation documentation
• Analyze casework trends and produce strategic recommendations to the business to proactively address systemic issues
• Collaborate, coach and influence leaders on critical elements of compliance, investigations outcomes and other ER matters
• Stay current on business trends, HR and ER trends, employment law and the diversity and inclusion landscapes
• 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 the 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 of experience as lead labor negotiator (Preferred)
• Strong grounding in labor and employment law, inclusive of union negotiations and investigative practices in Malaysia
• Experience developing high‑performing teams
• Experience working in a global company leading cross‑functional regional and global projects of significant scope, complexity, and of a 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 accomplishment of confident communication and management of stakeholders across all levels of an organization, including the ability to propose complex solutions and explanations in writing
• Law degree highly preferred
• Experience in a manufactory environment a plus
• Knowledge of China and other APAC countries’ labor and employment law a plus

Required

• 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 manager, capable of independently owning large‑scale, network‑wide projects; demonstrates an inclusive leadership style and a commitment to equality

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)
• Due to the nature of the work within the organization, very short notice domestic and international travel may be required
• With international activities, conference calls in the early morning or late evenings are a normal course of business. Flexibility on both your part and the company’s is expected
• Many activities within your organization are highly sensitive in nature and will require discretion

This role may require approximately 20% travel.

Western Digital is 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 our hiring process. Please contact us at [e-mail] 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 [e-mail].

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.