Assistant Vice President / Senior Manager (Human Resources)

Singapore Cruise Centre Pte Ltd; Singapore; On-site; SGD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cruise and ferry operator in Singapore is seeking an experienced AVP/Senior Manager to lead their Human Resource function. This senior leadership role involves providing strategic HR leadership across the organization, managing HR operations, and ensuring effective talent management. The ideal candidate will have 8-10 years of comprehensive HR experience, strong knowledge of Singapore employment legislation, and a proven ability to engage senior stakeholders. The position offers a balance of strategic leadership and hands-on execution in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8-10 years of HR experience across multiple functions.
• Strong knowledge of Singapore employment legislation.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex HR matters.

Responsibilities

• Lead HR strategy and business partnering initiatives.
• Oversee HR operations, payroll, and governance.
• Manage talent acquisition and performance management.
• Ensure compliance and facilitate employee relations.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

HR governance

Talent management

Employee engagement

Compliance knowledge

Education

Degree in Human Resources or Business Administration

Professional HR certification (e.g. IHRP, SHRM)

Job description

The Singapore Cruise Centre Pte Ltd operates 3 sea passenger terminals across Singapore for International Cruise passengers at Harbourfront Terminal, 2 Regional ferry terminals as well as 1 Domestic ferry terminal at Pasir Panjang. The company seeks a strong AVP/Senior Manager to Head the Human Resource function as the company drives towards the further growth with the upcoming move to a newly built Cruise and Ferry terminal at Harbourfront.

The role is a senior leadership role responsible for providing strategic and operational HR leadership across Singapore Cruise Centre. Reporting into the VP of Corporate Services, the role oversees the full spectrum of HR activities, including HR strategy, business partnering, payroll, talent management, employee relations, and HR operations.

The role leads a small HR team and requires a balance of strategic leadership and hands-on execution, ensuring effective people management, compliance, and a positive employee experience across the organisation.

For candidates appointed at AVP level, the role will also be expanded with time, to include additional organisational or corporate responsibilities beyond the core HR portfolio. The expanded functions will be assessed against the needs of the organisation as well as the person’s capabilities and interests.

Responsibilities

Strategic HR Leadership & Business Partnering

• Partner management and line leaders on workforce planning, organisational effectiveness, and people-related matters.
• Support manpower planning, organisational design, and succession planning to ensure leadership continuity and workforce sustainability.
• Translate business priorities into practical HR strategies, policies, and initiatives that support operational and corporate objectives.

HR Operations

• Oversee end-to-end HR operations and lead a HR team, supervising payroll governance, compensation and benefits administration, HRIS management, and employee lifecycle processes.
• Maintain robust HR policies, SOPs, and governance frameworks, ensuring consistent application.

Talent Management & Workforce Development

• Oversee talent acquisition strategies, including recruitment planning, employer branding, internships, and early-career pipelines.
• Manage performance management processes to ensure consistency, fairness, and alignment with organisational goals.
• Lead learning and development initiatives to build leadership capability and functional competence across the organisation.

Employee Relations & Engagement

• Provide guidance, as needed, on employee relations matters, disciplinary cases, grievances, and workplace issues.
• Maintain sound employee and union-management relations where applicable.
• Drive employee engagement initiatives to strengthen culture, morale, and retention.

HR Governance, Analytics & Budgeting

• Lead the annual manpower budgeting exercises as part of the annual budgeting cycle.
• Monitor HR costs and workforce trends, providing insights to senior management.
• Leverage HR data and analytics to support planning and decision-making.

HR Initiatives & Transformation

• Partner with the various divisions to identify key HR initiatives and projects, including workforce transformation as part of the broader organisational development.
• Partner senior stakeholders on change management and cross-functional initiatives to ensure effective implementation and adoption.

Requirements

• Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related discipline; professional HR certification (e.g. IHRP, SHRM) is an added advantage.
• Minimum 8-10 years of HR experience, covering full spectrum of HR functions, including payroll and compensation & benefits.
• Willingness to operate in a lean HR environment with both strategic and hands-on responsibilities.
• Strong knowledge of Singapore employment legislation, HR governance, and best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to engage senior stakeholders and manage complex people matters.
• Candidate with experience in service organisations with a good spread of Executive and Operational staff would be well suited. The company’s operations are Singapore-based with a largely local workforce.

ABOUT SINGAPORE CRUISE CENTRE (www.singaporecruise.com.sg)

Singapore Cruise Centre, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mapletree Investments, manages and operates 3 ferry terminals and 1 award-winning international cruise terminal in Singapore - HarbourFront Passenger Terminal, Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and Pasir Panjang Ferry Terminal. With over 30 years in the business, SCCPL has honed both operational excellence and a deep knowledge of the cruise and ferry business.