Our client, a global industrial technology leader, is undergoing a strategic carve-out and market entry in Japan. As part of this high-impact transition, they are seeking a bilingual HR Business Partner to play a pivotal role in establishing and supporting the HR function for the new entity. This role will be embedded locally and serve as the bridge between global leadership, the local seller’s HR team, and the transitioning workforce.

This is a unique opportunity to work on a mission-critical transaction, with autonomy to shape the HR infrastructure in a complex and evolving environment.

What You Will Be Doing

• Lead the setup of a localized HR function in Japan during the initial carve-out phase
• Partner with the seller’s HR team during a 6-month Transition Services Agreement (TSA) starting July 1
• Provide hands-on HR support across payroll, benefits, retirement plans, labor law compliance, and total rewards
• Support decision-making across urgent workstreams including employee retention, cultural integration, and onboarding
• Act as a trusted advisor to internal stakeholders including the VP of HR, Head of Digital, and Total Rewards leaders
• Navigate language and cultural barriers to align Japan operations with global HR standards
• Contribute to the design of the future-state HR team and potentially transition into a permanent leadership role

Your Background

Must Have:

• 10+ years of experience in HR, including HR operations, payroll, and employee relations
• Bilingual fluency in Japanese and English (spoken and written)
• Deep familiarity with Japanese labor laws, employment practices, and local HR systems
• Proven ability to operate in both strategic and hands-on execution modes
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to drive clarity in ambiguity
• Experience working with global stakeholders and aligning local implementation with international standards

Preferred:

• Experience supporting M&A carve-outs, integrations, or PMI (Post-Merger Integration)
• Background in large multinational or industrial organizations
• Familiarity with total rewards, retirement schemes, and compliance-heavy environments