Assistant Director, Human Capital

ESSEC Business School; Singapore; On-site; SGD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious educational institution in Singapore is seeking an experienced HR professional to provide expert guidance on HR policies, manage recruitment, and enhance employee engagement initiatives. The ideal candidate will have a Master's or Bachelor's in Human Resources Management and significant HR experience. This role requires effective collaboration with various stakeholders, including department heads, and adherence to local employment laws. Competitive remuneration and benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• 8-10 years of progressive experience in a relevant HR role.
• Well-versed with Singapore employment laws and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end recruitment processes.
• Manage monthly payroll processing and HR administration.
• Establish competitive compensation structures.
• Develop and implement learning frameworks.
• Lead employee engagement activities.

Skills

Attention to detail

Ability to manage sensitive issues

Flexibility

Interpersonal relationships

Ethical behavior

Education

Master or Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management or related field

Tools

IHRP-SP certification

SHRM-SCP certification

Job description

Overview

As an experienced human resource practitioner, you will play an instrumental role in providing expert guidance on HR policies and procedures, employment legislation, performance management, recruitment and talent development strategies. You will oversee the delivery of all HR services and initiatives to support ESSEC’s organizational objectives. This is an individual contributor role that requires close collaboration with the Deputy Dean and Department Heads at the ESSEC APAC campus to drive continuous improvement in HR practices and people initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Workforce Planning and Talent Acquisition
  - Provide manpower planning and budget projections, aligning strategies with annual budget and organizational goals
  - Responsible for the end-to-end recruitment process from understanding recruitment needs, i.e., preparing and updating job description/requirements, pre-screening to finalizing onboarding plans, in partnership with the hiring manager
  - Ensure selection and assessment of candidates adhere to ESSEC’s group guidelines on upholding diversity and inclusivity, applying the spirit of the charter of respect, and working towards achieving organizational sustainability as well as fostering collaboration, inclusiveness, and shared purpose across campuses and communities
  - Lead the interview process for shortlisted Assistant Manager and above candidates, partnering with hiring managers to assess qualifications and cultural fit
  - Propose competitive compensation packages that align with industry standards and maintain internal salary equity

• HR Administration and Operations
  - Manage monthly payroll processing and annual employment income filings for the APAC campus, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timeliness
  - Prepare and administer employment contracts, leave management, and related HR documentation for all employees
  - Handle work visa applications, tax clearance, government-related claims and surveys
  - Maintain and update the Occupational Employment Dataset mandated by the Ministry of Manpower
  - Coordinate with the Human Capital team in ESSEC Cergy campus on faculty-related matters
  - Develop and review HR policies in accordance with local employment regulations and ESSEC Group policies
  - Negotiate and review staff medical and travel benefits with vendors annually
  - Identify opportunities to enhance ESSEC’s employer value proposition and implement initiatives that strengthen talent attraction and staff engagement
  - Analyze insights from exit interviews, engagement surveys, and feedback channels to inform HR strategies and foster employee well-being
  - Serve as a trusted advisor to managers and employees on employee relations, performance, and policy interpretation

• Rewards & Performance Management
  - Work closely with the Deputy Dean to establish a competitive compensation structure for APAC, facilitating annual salary reviews and ensuring market competitiveness
  - Initiate and facilitate annual performance reviews, ensuring a robust assessment of staff performance and effective decision-making in performance bonuses and career progressions

• Learning & Development
  - Develop and implement learning and development framework, plans and initiatives
  - Partner with stakeholders to identify training needs and ensure requests align with business goals and financial resources

• Employee Engagement
  - Plan and lead activities/initiatives that foster employee collaboration, strengthen workplace culture, and build a sense of belonging
  - Oversee overall employee wellness/welfare and propose initiatives to enhance engagement, inclusion, and diversity

• Collaboration with Group Human Capital Department in France
  - Facilitate the communication and adaptation of ESSEC Group-level initiatives (e.g., engagement surveys, wellness programs) for implementation at ESSEC APAC, ensuring local relevance and alignment with campus needs
  - Coordinate discussions, meetings, and updates between stakeholders in France and APAC to ensure effective rollout, monitoring, and feedback integration for Group Human Capital initiatives

Position Requirements / People Specifications

a. Highly motivated with an eye for detail and takes great pride in quality outcomes
b. Demonstrates the highest level of ethical behavior and maintains confidentiality of sensitive information
c. Highly flexible in adapting to changes in the work environment
d. Works effectively, professionally and tactfully with a diverse workforce, the leadership team and external parties
e. Able to organize and work independently on multiple assigned initiatives and complete within established timelines
f. Mature and analytical, with an ability to manage sensitive and challenging issues
g. Demonstrable skills in consensus building and mediation in order to constructively address employee conflicts
h. Demonstrates ability to build and maintain effective interpersonal relationships at all levels
i. Well-versed with Singapore employment laws and regulations

Qualifications

a. Master or Bachelor's degree, preferably in Human Resources Management or a related field with 8-10 years of progressive experience in a relevant HR role
b. Possession of the IHRP-SP / SHRM-SCP certification is advantageous

Contacts

Internal Stakeholders – The job incumbent will work in close collaboration with the Deputy Dean and department heads in APAC campus, Group Human Capital Director and Human Capital team of ESSEC group in Cergy campus.
External Stakeholders – Vendors and government bodies, e.g., Ministry of Manpower, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority.

Working Environment and Pace

The job incumbent will need to work independently in a dynamic work environment. Some level of flexibility and agility are required.

Terms of Employment

- Working days are from Mondays to Fridays
- Working hours: 8am to 5pm or 9am to 6pm or 10am to 7pm
- Occasionally, it may be necessary to work beyond the normal working hours due to the nature of work and the level of responsibility