The posting
SOTI is committed to providing its employees with endless possibilities; learning new things, working with the latest technologies and making a difference in the world.
SOTI does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. You can verify the authenticity of any SOTI job opportunities by visiting SOTI Careers. SOTI shall not be liable for any fraudulent recruitment activities carried out by unauthorized individuals or organizations.
Position: Senior P&C Business Partner
Location: Tokyo, Japan (Japan office)
Department: People & Culture
About SOTI
SOTI is a proven innovator and industry leader for simplifying business mobility and IoT solutions by making them smarter, faster and more reliable. SOTI's success is built on a culture of innovation, accountability, and customer-centricity. As part of the People & Culture team, you will play a critical role in enabling our Japan business strategy through expert HR partnership, strong employee relations, and deep knowledge of Japanese employment law and local market practices.
This is a highly visible role partnering with employees, managers, and global stakeholders to ensure SOTI remains a compliant, competitive, and engaging employer in Japan.
Position Summary
The Senior P&C Business Partner is the primary People & Culture resource supporting SOTI's operations in Japan. The role partners closely with business leaders to deliver HR solutions aligned with both local employment requirements and global People & Culture strategies.
The successful candidate will provide expert guidance on Japanese labour law, employee relations, performance management, organizational effectiveness, compliance, compensation and benefits, and talent development. This role requires a strong understanding of the unique legal and cultural considerations associated with managing employees in Japan, including employee protections, work rules, social insurance, workplace harassment prevention, and change management.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic P&C Partnership
- Partner with business leaders to support organizational growth, workforce planning, talent development, and employee engagement initiatives.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to management on people-related matters, organizational effectiveness, and business transformation.
- Support the implementation of global People & Culture programs while ensuring local compliance and cultural relevance.
- Provide insights and recommendations on workforce trends, retention risks, and employee experience within the Japanese market.
Employee Relations & Performance Management
- Lead and manage employee relations matters, conducting investigations and providing practical recommendations while balancing business requirements and legal risk.
- Coach managers on performance management, corrective action, conflict resolution, employee development, and leadership effectiveness.
- Provide guidance on performance improvement plans, disciplinary processes, and documentation in accordance with Japanese employment legislation and employment contracts.
- Support complex employee matters including leaves of absence, accommodations, grievances, and workplace concerns.
Employment Law & Compliance
- Serve as the subject matter expert on Japanese employment and labour legislation, including:Labour Standards Act Labour Contract Act Industrial Safety and Health Act Equal Employment Opportunity Act Childcare and Family Care Leave Act Harassment Prevention Regulations Social Insurance and Pension requirements
- Partner with Legal and external advisors to mitigate employment-related risks.
- Maintain and update local employment contracts, policies, handbooks, and work rules (Shugyo Kisoku).
- Ensure compliance with government filing requirements, labour inspections, social insurance obligations, working-time regulations, overtime requirements, and leave administration.
- Advise leadership on restructurings, workforce changes, and terminations while ensuring compliance with Japan's highly protective employment framework.
Compensation, Benefits & Local Programs
- Partner with global Compensation and Benefits teams to ensure programs remain competitive within the Japanese market.
- Support annual compensation review processes, promotions, and job evaluations.
- Manage local benefit programs and vendor relationships.
- Recommend enhancements to improve employee attraction, retention, and engagement in Japan.
Talent & Organizational Development
- Support talent management initiatives including succession planning, leadership development, and employee development planning.
- Facilitate learning and development initiatives aligned with business needs.
- Drive employee engagement activities and culture-building programs.
- Assist leaders with goal setting, talent reviews, and performance calibration processes.
P&C Operations & Governance
- Support employment lifecycle activities including onboarding, transfers, promotions, and offboarding.
- Manage employee exits, including documentation, compliance reviews, and exit interviews.
- Maintain accurate employee records and HRIS data (Workday preferred).
- Analyze workforce metrics and provide recommendations to improve organizational effectiveness.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Collaborate with global People & Culture, Talent Acquisition, Payroll, Legal, Finance, and business leadership teams.
- Act as the local People & Culture representative for Japan, ensuring alignment between global initiatives and local practices.
- Support regional and global HR projects as required.
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Industrial Relations, Law, or a related field.
- Professional HR designation or Japanese labour law certification is considered an asset.
Experience
- 7+ years of progressive HR experience, including significant HR Business Partner or Employee Relations experience.
- Experience supporting employees and leaders within Japan.
- Strong working knowledge of Japanese employment law and HR compliance requirements.
- Experience managing complex employee relations and performance management matters.
- Experience working within a multinational organization is strongly preferred.
- Experience in the technology industry is considered an asset.
Knowledge & Skills
- Deep understanding of Japanese labour and employment legislation.
- Strong business acumen and ability to align HR solutions with organizational objectives.
- Proven ability to influence and coach managers at all levels.
- Excellent investigation, conflict resolution, and employee relations skills.
- Experience with organizational change and culture transformation initiatives.
- Strong project management and prioritization capabilities.
- Advanced interpersonal and communication skills.
- Experience using Workday or similar HRIS platforms.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Language Requirements
- Native or business-fluent Japanese.
- Professional working proficiency in English.
- Ability to effectively communicate with both local employees and global stakeholders.
Success Factors
The successful candidate will:
- Be recognized as SOTI's trusted HR advisor in Japan.
- Demonstrate strong knowledge of Japanese employment law and risk management.
- Balance employee advocacy with business objectives.
- Drive a positive employee experience while maintaining legal compliance.
- Influence leaders and support organizational growth within a fast-paced technology environment.
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