Regional Employee Relations Manager

COGNITA ASIA HOLDINGS PTE. LTD.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading regional education provider in Singapore is seeking a Regional Employee Relations Manager to enhance fairness and accountability across schools. The candidate will provide strategic support, manage complex casework, and build HR capabilities in a dynamic environment. This role offers a collaborative work culture with a focus on employee engagement and proactive management. Competitive benefits include a hybrid work environment and 20 days annual leave.

Benefits

20 days annual leave

Medical insurance cover

Hybrid work environment

Qualifications

• Proven track record in managing complex ER cases end-to-end.
• Experience with multiple Asian jurisdictions in ER practice.

Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted advisor on employee relations matters.
• Lead complex ER casework and ensure lawful handling.
• Develop and standardize ER policies across schools.

Skills

Emotional intelligence

Strong listening skills

Clear communication

Education

At least 7–10 years of HR or ER experience

Grounding in employment law

Job description

About Cognita Asia

Cognita Asia currently operates 11 schools in 5 countries, with more than 16,000 students. While our schools are part of a Group, they are unique in many ways. In Cognita Asia, we have a robust regional team that supports our schools. The team is based in Singapore and provides centralized support across various functions. We are looking for dynamic individuals who thrive in a collaborative and inclusive environment.

Our Regional team now has an exciting opportunity for a Regional Employee Relations Manager to join our fantastic team.

About Cognita

Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 100+ schools in 16 countries - in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East - serving more than 85,000 students. Each of our schools are proudly unique, however our collective purpose is to create an environment where everyone can, ‘Thrive in a rapidly evolving world’.

Position Objective

To strengthen a culture of fairness, accountability, and trust across our schools by leading best-practice employee relations (ER) support. This role partners with school leaders and HR colleagues to advice on complex people matters, manage ER casework, and build capability in proactive ER management aligned with organisational values and employment law.

Responsibilities

Strategic ER Partnership

· Act as a trusted advisor to Heads of School and Managing Directors on all employee relations matters.

· Work in close collaboration with HR teams to align ER strategies with overall people priorities.

· Support the development of consistent ER practices across schools and countries.

Case Management & Advisory

· Lead or oversee complex and sensitive casework (e.g. conduct, grievance, capability, discrimination).

· Ensure consistent, lawful, and values-aligned handling of all ER issues.

· Support school leaders to conduct thorough and fair investigations, ensuring appropriate documentation and outcomes.

· Where required, liaise with legal counsel to mitigate risk.

Industrial Relations

· Provide strategic and hands-on support in employee and industrial relations matters, including engagement with unions and government bodies in labour-force-centric countries across Asia.

Policy & Process

· Support the review and standardisation of ER-related policies across the group (disciplinary, grievance, performance, etc.).

· Ensure policies are up-to-date with local employment legislation in all countries of operation.

· Create toolkits and templates to support school-based implementation.

Capability Building

· Coach and build the confidence of school leaders and HR teams in handling ER matters effectively.

· Design and deliver training (e.g. managing difficult conversations, fair investigations, dignity at work).

· Provide just-in-time support during live cases, as well as debriefs and learning sessions afterward.

Proactive Culture Support

· Track ER themes and trends to identify risks or hotspots, and recommend proactive strategies.

· Help shape a culture of open communication, early intervention, and respectful conflict resolution.

· Contribute to the development of a psychologically safe and inclusive working environment across schools.

Position Requirements

· Trusted, calm, and pragmatic partner to senior leaders under pressure.

· Values-driven, with high emotional intelligence and strong listening skills.

· Able to navigate ambiguity and cultural complexity with confidence.

· Clear communicator with excellent written and verbal skills.

· Self-directed, responsive, and discreet.

Qualifications

Essential:

· At least 7–10 years of progressive HR or ER experience, ideally with regional or multi-site responsibility.

· Strong grounding in employment law and ER practice across multiple Asian jurisdictions.

· Skilled in coaching senior leaders and building capability in line managers.

· Excellent judgment, with the ability to balance legal risk, organisational values, and cultural nuance.

· Demonstrated experience managing complex ER cases end-to-end.

Preferred:

· Experience working in international education or similarly people-intensive, values-driven sectors.

· Familiarity with collective consultation, safeguarding issues, or regulatory compliance (desirable but not essential).

Contacts

· Heads of School and Managing Directors

· Regional and School-based HR teams

· Regional and School Safeguarding leads

· Asia Legal Counsel and Group Compliance Officer (where relevant)

Working Conditions

· Based within the Regional office in Singapore

· Extended working hours to meet deadlines / regional or global meetings as required

· Periodic travel to schools across the Asia region to support in-person casework, leader training, or investigations

· 20 days annual leave

· Medical insurance cover

· Hybrid work environment

Cognita Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice and pre-employment background and reference checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.

For interested applicants, please submit your applications directly via the following link: https://cognitapeople.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/1421?c=cognitapeople&sq=req1421&source=Jobstreet&source=MyCareersFuture