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

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
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
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
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

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