Associate Director - HR

About the role

The Associate Director - HR will serve as a strategic HR leader and trusted advisor to business leaders in Singapore, driving both strategic and operational HR initiatives aligned with organizational goals and regulatory requirements. This role will be responsible for translating global HR strategies into local xecution, ensuring compliance with Singapore employment legislation, and enhancing employee experience across the lifecycle. The incumbent will collaborate closely with HR Business Partners and Centers of Excellence (COEs)including Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards, Talent Development, and HR Services to deliver integrated HR solutions. The role also plays a critical part in strengthening organizational capability, driving employee engagement, and fostering a high-performance, inclusive culture within Singapore.

Responsibilities

• Strategic HR Partnership
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior business leaders, providing strategic HR insights and solutions across workforce planning, organizational design, and talent strategies
• Translate business goals into actionable people strategies, ensuring alignment with regional and global HR priorities
• Support leadership teams in driving organizational effectiveness and transformation initiatives
• HR Program Execution &Governance
• Lead the deployment of HR programs and processes in alignment with global frameworks and Singapore-specific regulatory requirements
• Ensure strong governance and compliance with Singapore employment laws, MOM regulations, Fair Consideration Framework (FCF), and internal policies
• Partner with HR COEs to drive key initiatives across talent management, compensation, learning, mobility, and diversity
• Employee Relations & Compliance
• Provide expert guidance on complex employee relations matters including disciplinary actions, grievances, and conflict resolution
• Ensure all HR practices comply with local employment legislation and company policies
• Act as a key escalation point for high-risk ER cases and compliance matters
• Talent Management & Capability Building
• Drive talent review, succession planning, and leadership development initiatives for Singapore
• Design and implement programs to enhance employee capability, engagement, and retention
• Partner with business leaders to identify skill gaps and workforce development priorities
• Employee Experience & Engagement
• Champion employee engagement initiatives to enhance employee value proposition and workplace culture
• Foster a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion where employee experience is prioritized
• Lead initiatives focused on employee connectivity, well-being, and organizational culture
• Data & Insights-Driven HR
• Leverage HR data, metrics, and analytics to provide actionable insights and support decision-making
• Monitor HR trends (attrition, engagement, performance) and recommend improvements
• Drive continuous improvement and simplification of HR processes
• Collaboration & Operations
• Work closely with HRBPs, COEs, and HR Services teams to ensure seamless HR service delivery
• Oversee delivery of HR operations and administrative processes through shared services
• Lead and mentor junior HR team members
• Qualifications & Experience
• Bachelor's degree in human resources, Business Administration, or related discipline
• 12 -15 years of progressive HR experience , preferably in a matrixed multinational organization
• Proven experience in strategic HR business partnering at senior leadership levels
• Strong knowledge of Singapore employment laws, MOM regulations, and HR compliance frameworks
• Demonstrated experience in employee relations, talent management, and organizational development
• Exposure to regional or APAC HR operations is highly preferred
• Key Skills & Competencies
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills at senior leadership level
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution
• Experience in leading and driving HR transformation initiatives
• Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making capability
• Proven leadership coaching and advisory experience
• High level of business acumen and commercial understanding
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Your Match

How well this role fits your profile.

Company Intel

What employees say

Worked at COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS ASIA PACIFIC PTE. LTD.? Share your experience