HR Compliance Manager (Southeast Asia based)

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> We believe that leaving a mark is a true challenge and opportunity for every one of us.

> We believe that leaving a mark is a sign of trust and impact.

> We believe that leaving a mark is a bond with the future.

> We believe that leaving a mark is proof of growth and development.

Being part of the BV family, is more than just working, it’s being convinced that you will leave your mark... in shaping a world of Trust.

Role Purpose

Lead and manage all aspects of labor law compliance, industrial relations, and HR operational compliance across Bureau Veritas's Southeast Asian operations (Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Philippines). Serve as the regional subject matter expert ensuring alignment with local employment regulations while maintaining consistency with Bureau Veritas global HR policies and ethical standards.

Key Responsibilities

1. Labor Law Compliance & Advisory

Strategic Compliance Management

• Monitor and interpret employment legislation across SEA countries, ensuring Bureau Veritas operations remain compliant with local labor laws, statutory requirements, and regulatory changes
• Develop and maintain country-specific compliance frameworks covering employment contracts, working conditions, wages, benefits, and termination procedures
• Conduct regular compliance audits of HR practices, payroll systems, and documentation across the region
• Provide expert guidance to Country HR Managers and business leaders on complex labor law matters

Risk Management

• Identify and mitigate employment-related legal risks across jurisdictions
• Develop compliance dashboards and reporting mechanisms for senior leadership
• Coordinate with external legal counsel on contentious matters or regulatory inquiries
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of labor court precedents and regulatory trends

2. Industrial Relations & Employee Relations

Union & Works Council Management

• Serve as primary liaison for union negotiations, collective bargaining agreements, and works council consultations where applicable (particularly Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand)
• Develop constructive relationships with employee representatives and labor organizations
• Advise management on industrial relations strategies that balance business needs with employee welfare

Conflict Resolution

• Lead investigation and resolution of complex employee grievances, disciplinary matters, and workplace disputes
• Provide coaching to managers on employee relations best practices
• Manage escalated cases involving potential litigation or regulatory complaints
• Develop alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to minimize legal exposure

3. Payroll Compliance & HR Systems

Payroll Governance

• Ensure payroll processes across SEA comply with statutory requirements (tax withholding, social security, provident funds, overtime calculations, statutory leave)
• Audit payroll systems and vendor performance for accuracy and compliance
• Collaborate with Finance and Payroll teams to implement controls and process improvements
• Manage statutory reporting requirements and government filings

HR Systems & Documentation

• Establish standards for employment documentation (contracts, amendments, terminations) ensuring legal validity across jurisdictions
• Oversee HRIS configuration to support compliance tracking and reporting
• Develop templates and workflows that balance standardization with local requirements

4. Policy Development & Training

Policy Management

• Design and maintain regional HR policies covering onboarding, performance management, leave administration, code of conduct, and exit procedures
• Adapt global Bureau Veritas policies to meet local legal requirements while preserving organizational values
• Ensure policy accessibility and understanding across diverse workforce populations

Capacity Building

• Deliver training programs for HR teams and managers on labor law, compliance obligations, and employee relations
• Create practical guidance materials, FAQs, and decision-support tools
• Build compliance awareness throughout the organization

Key Qualifications

Required Experience

• 5-8 years progressive HR experience with significant focus on labor law, compliance, and industrial relations
• Proven track record working across multiple Southeast Asian countries (minimum 3-4 countries; experience in Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines highly valued)
• Multinational corporation experience, ideally in matrixed environments
• Demonstrated expertise managing complex employee relations cases and statutory compliance matters
• Experience with regional payroll operations and HRIS systems

Education & Credentials

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Law, Business Administration, or related field
• Nice to Have: Legal background (LLB, JD, or legal qualification in relevant SEA jurisdiction)
• HR professional certification (SHRM-CP/SCP, CIPD, or regional equivalent) preferred

Technical Competencies

• Deep Knowledge: Employment law across Southeast Asia (statutory requirements, labor codes, social security systems)
• Industrial Relations: Union negotiations, collective bargaining, works council protocols
• Compliance Systems: Audit methodologies, risk assessment frameworks, regulatory reporting
• Payroll Expertise: Statutory calculations, tax compliance, benefits administration
• HR Technology: HRIS platforms (Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, or similar), case management systems

Core Competencies

• Analytical Rigor: Ability to interpret complex legislation and translate into practical business guidance
• Stakeholder Management: Influence without authority across cultures and organizational levels
• Problem-Solving: Navigate ambiguity and develop pragmatic solutions to compliance challenges
• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal skills in English; additional SEA languages advantageous
• Cultural Agility: Navigate diverse regulatory environments and workplace cultures effectively
• Integrity: Unwavering commitment to ethical standards and Bureau Veritas Code of Ethics

Working Relationships

Internal Stakeholders

• Primary Reporting: Regional HR Director/VP (solid line)
• Matrix Relationship: Regional Legal/Compliance Director (dotted line)
• Close Collaboration: Country HR Managers, Payroll Teams, Finance, Business Unit Leaders
• Advisory Role: Senior Leadership Team for risk matters

External Stakeholders

• Government labor departments and regulatory authorities
• External legal counsel and compliance advisors
• Labor unions and employee representative bodies
• Industry associations and professional networks

Performance Indicators

• Zero critical compliance violations or regulatory penalties
• Timely resolution of employee relations cases (within SLA)
• Successful audit outcomes (internal and external)
• Payroll accuracy and statutory filing compliance rates
• Stakeholder satisfaction scores (HR teams, business leaders)
• Policy adoption and training completion rates
• Risk mitigation effectiveness (reduction in legal disputes)

Work Environment & Travel

• Location: Based in Kuala Lumpur or designated SEA hub with regional responsibilities
• Travel: Up to 30-40% across Southeast Asian countries for audits, training, and stakeholder engagement
• Work Arrangement: Hybrid flexibility with core office days for collaboration

What We Offer

• Opportunity to shape HR compliance strategy across a dynamic, high-growth region
• Exposure to diverse legal systems and complex business challenges
• Professional development in a global organization committed to excellence
• Collaborative culture aligned with Bureau Veritas values of integrity, expertise, and customer focus
• Competitive compensation package including benefits aligned with regional standards

Join an inclusive, flexible and diverse company where you can thrive while contributing to positively transforming the world we live in.
 
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