Human Resources Business Partner, Japan (JAPAC)

Own HR for our Japan business, with regional and global exposure

ProPharma is looking for an experienced HR Business Partner to serve as the primary HR point of contact for our Japan business.

Based in Tokyo, you will work closely with Japan leadership while partnering with HR colleagues across JAPAC and globally.

This is a broad HRBP role combining business partnership with hands-on responsibility across employee relations, Japanese labour matters, performance management, HR operations, payroll and benefits coordination, and the wider employee lifecycle.

For someone who enjoys autonomy, variety and being close to the business, the role offers the opportunity to use a broad HR skill set while having genuine ownership of HR delivery in Japan.

What makes this opportunity interesting?

Broad Japan ownership: You will have visibility across the full Japan HR agenda, rather than being limited to one HR specialty.

Direct partnership with the business: You will work closely with Japan managers and leadership, providing practical advice and supporting important people decisions.

JAPAC and global exposure: You will collaborate regularly with regional and global HR colleagues and contribute to wider HR initiatives and projects.

A varied HR remit: The position spans employee relations, performance, HR operations, compensation processes, onboarding, recruitment support, engagement and organizational change.

An international life sciences environment: ProPharma has partnered with pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device organizations for more than 25 years, supporting clients across the product lifecycle.

Hybrid working in Tokyo: The role combines local business engagement with the flexibility of a hybrid working model.

What You Will Do

• Act as the primary HR Business Partner and day-to-day HR contact for employees and managers in Japan.
• Advise managers on employee relations, performance management, attendance, organizational changes and other people matters.
• Support fair and effective resolution of employee issues while ensuring alignment with Japanese labour law, local employment requirements and company policies.
• Own and coordinate core Japan HR processes including onboarding, offboarding, employment changes, employee documentation, HR data and Workday administration.
• Coordinate payroll, social insurance, benefits and related activities with internal stakeholders and external providers.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition and hiring managers on recruitment, workforce planning and onboarding.
• Support compensation reviews, promotions, engagement initiatives, organizational change and annual HR processes.
• Work with JAPAC and global HR colleagues on policies, systems, talent initiatives and regional HR projects.
• Coordinate with external payroll, benefits, legal and HR specialists when required.
• Support local workplace requirements and coordinate with WeWork and relevant local vendors.

What We Are Looking For

You will be an experienced HR professional who understands Japan HR in practice and is comfortable working independently within an international organization.

You should be equally comfortable advising a manager on an employee issue, coordinating a local HR process, working with an external provider and collaborating with regional colleagues in English.

Required

• 4+ years of professional HR experience, including experience as an HR Business Partner, HR Generalist, HR Manager or in a similarly broad HR role
• Strong practical knowledge of Japanese labour law and employment practices
• Experience supporting employee relations and advising managers and employees
• Hands-on experience across HR operations and the employee lifecycle
• Experience with areas such as onboarding, offboarding, payroll coordination, social insurance, benefits and employee documentation
• Strong stakeholder management, judgement and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of HR matters through to resolution
• Native-level Japanese proficiency
• Business-level English or above, including the ability to communicate with regional and global colleagues
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business or a related discipline
• Comfortable working with HR systems and Microsoft Office

Preferred

• Experience within a multinational or international organization
• Experience working with regional or global HR teams
• Workday or comparable HRIS experience
• Experience coordinating external payroll, benefits, legal or HR service providers
• Experience supporting compensation, performance management, engagement or organizational change
• Experience within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, healthcare, life sciences, CRO or professional services environments

About ProPharma

For more than 25 years, ProPharma has partnered with biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device organizations to support the development and delivery of therapies to patients worldwide.

Our services span Regulatory Sciences, Clinical Research, Quality & Compliance, Pharmacovigilance, Medical Information and other specialist solutions across the product lifecycle.

Our mission is straightforward: improving patient health and safety.

If you enjoy being close to the business, taking ownership and working across a broad range of HR responsibilities within an international environment, we would be pleased to hear from you.