Head of Human Resources

The Talent Lever; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

The Talent Lever is seeking a strategic HR leader to build and scale the People function for a rapidly growing F&B chain operating across SEA. You will own recruiting, culture, retention, training, and leadership development for a young, dynamic workforce at scale.

You’ll lead 500+ annual hires and oversee compensation, payroll operations, and multi-country compliance while building an HR team to support 50+ locations. This is a growth-ready role with executive exposure.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in People leadership including at head of HR or equivalent
• Experience building or scaling HR function at multi-unit operator or franchise
• Background in F&B, hospitality, or quick-service with high turnover
• Track record with high-volume hiring and retention strategies
• Understanding what drives engagement for young frontline workforce
• Multi-country or regional HR experience (Asia-Pacific)
• Commercial mindset with HR ROI knowledge
• Growth mindset with technology and willingness to learn new tools
• Strong feedback and stakeholder management to align senior leadership

Responsibilities

• Lead the People function and own recruiting, culture, retention, training, and leadership development
• Own talent acquisition for 500+ annual hires across 50+ locations
• Drive culture and engagement in a fast-paced F&B environment
• Develop retention analytics and understand drivers of retention in F&B
• Oversee compensation, payroll operations, and multi-country compliance
• Build and lead HR team including recruiting, training, and operations specialists

Skills

People leadership

High-volume hiring

Stakeholder management

Engagement strategy

APAC HR experience

Job description

A rapidly growing F&B restaurant chain operating 50+ locations across SEA ~1,500 people, need a strategic HR leader to build the People function as they scale.

The role:

Lead the People function - you will own recruiting, culture, retention, training, and leadership development for a young, dynamic workforce at scale.

You’ll own:

• People strategy & planning for 500+ annual hires (including attrition)
• Talent acquisition for high-volume hiring (crew, managers, across 50+ locations)
• Culture & engagement for fast-paced F&B environment
• Retention strategy and analytics (understand what drives retention in F&B)
• Compensation, payroll operations, multi-country compliance
• Building and leading HR team (recruiting, training, operations specialists)

You bring:

• 15+ years in People leadership (5+ as head of HR or equivalent)
• Experience building or scaling HR function at multi-unit operator or franchise
• F&B, hospitality, or quick-service restaurant background (understanding high-turnover environment)
• Track record with high-volume hiring and retention strategies
• Understanding what drives engagement for young, frontline workforce
• Multi-country or regional HR experience (Asia-Pacific)
• Commercial mindset (understand labor cost, ROI on HR initiatives)
• A growth mindset with new technology — you learn the tools before you’re told to, and you’re honest about what you don’t know yet
• The ability to give feedback that lands and receive it without armour
• Stakeholder management across functions — you keep the right people close, informed, and on side
• Communication skills that hold up with senior leaders — clear, concise, and credible in the rooms where decisions get made

We’re looking for someone who:

• Understands F&B operations (not just corporate HR)
• Sees people strategy as directly linked to operational success
• Wants to build a People function that serves frontline and corporate
• Can influence restaurant and area managers
• Diagnoses before you build; asks better questions than gives answers
• Delivers hard truths and is heard; pushes back when it matters

They offer:

• Autonomy to design People function from ground up
• Budget to build competitive compensation and culture
• Seat at strategy table (people decisions are business decisions in F&B)
• Real equity upside

Why this role matters:

You’re building the People function for a high-growth F&B chain at critical inflection point. You’ll own 500+ annual hires. You’ll design culture for young, dynamic workforce. You’ll be at the strategy table. This is a platform for becoming COO or founding your own HR consultancy.

DATA PRIVACY & CONSENT

The Talent Lever collects, uses, and discloses the personal data you submit with your application in accordance with Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Act 2012 (PDPA). Your data will be used to assess your suitability for this role and for related recruitment purposes, will be shared with our client only with your prior knowledge, and will be retained for up to 24 months unless you request earlier deletion. You may withdraw consent, or request access to or correction of your personal data at any time.

By applying, you also consent to receive communications from The Talent Lever about job opportunities and career development resources that may suit your profile. You can opt out at any time.

DON’T TICK EVERY BOX? APPLY ANYWAY.

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