Director Employee Relations Human Capital Management Asia Pacific

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation; Singapore; On-site; SGD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A global financial institution is seeking a Director of Employee Relations in Singapore to lead the ER agenda, ensuring compliance with local laws and fostering a positive employee experience. This role includes managing complex ER matters, collaborating with leadership, and providing expert advice on grievances and performance disputes. The ideal candidate will have 8–10 years of experience, a Bachelor's Degree, and a strong knowledge of Singapore employment laws. This position is essential to align ER strategies with global frameworks and support business objectives.

Qualifications

• 8–10 years of experience in Employee Relations or related HR discipline.
• Proven ability to manage complex ER cases and conduct investigations.
• Capacity to support HR Business Partner team as workload allows.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Employee Relations function in Singapore.
• Collaborate with leadership to identify ER trends and develop solutions.
• Provide expert advice on grievances and workplace conflicts.
• Design and deliver ER capability-building initiatives.
• Monitor legislative changes and assess their impact on ER practices.

Skills

Knowledge of Singapore employment laws

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Independence

Resilience

Discretion

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

Job Summary

The Director of Employee Relations (ER) will lead the ER agenda in Singapore, ensuring a fair, respectful, and legally compliant workplace. This role drives policy implementation, manages complex ER matters, and fosters a positive employee experience aligned with global and regional ER strategies.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Employee Relations function in Singapore, aligning ER strategies with APAC and global frameworks to support business objectives
• Collaborate with country leadership and HR teams to identify emerging ER trends, assess risks, and develop proactive solutions
• Drive cultural change by embedding ER best practices that promote fairness, compliance, and employee engagement
• Provide expert advice to HR Business Partners, managers, and leaders on handling grievances, disciplinary actions, performance disputes, and workplace conflicts
• Partner with Legal, Compliance, and Risk teams to resolve ER issues effectively and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements
• Design and deliver ER capability‑building initiatives through training and knowledge sharing with HR and business teams
• Lead thorough and objective investigations of ER cases, ensuring documentation, risk assessment, and recommendations comply with global protocols and local laws
• Conduct neutral reviews of escalated ER cases to ensure fairness and proportionality in outcomes
• Implement and maintain ER policies and procedures that comply with Singapore employment law and global standards
• Monitor legislative changes and assess their impact on ER practices to ensure ongoing compliance
• Ensure adherence to internal controls and regulatory requirements in ER case management
• Analyze and report on ER trends, case themes, and outcomes to inform preventative strategies and continuous process improvements

Required competencies and certifications

• Bachelor’s Degree with 8–10 years of experience in Employee Relations or related HR discipline
• Strong knowledge of Singapore employment laws and regulatory frameworks
• Proven ability to manage complex ER cases and conduct investigations
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Ability to work independently in a lean environment while collaborating with regional and global teams
• High integrity, resilience, and discretion in handling sensitive employee matters

Preferred competencies and qualifications

• Capacity to provide support to the HR Business Partner team as workload and priorities allow