HR Director
Division overview:
OIST's Human Resources Division assists staff in a wide range of situations, from entry to exit. The Human Resources Division consists of the following four sections:
- HR-Management: All HR operations including payroll, social security management etc.
- Relocation Support Services: Relocation support (house hunting, work visa arrangement)
- Recruiting & Training: Hiring activities in Administration and Research Support. Developing and executing in-house training/workshops for general skills
- Employee and Labor Relations: Various employee relations matters, policy management
The Human Resources Division is an essential component of OIST's growth and to realize our vision, utilizing forward-thinking HR strategies to optimize investments in human resources. It serves as a central hub for world-class research and administrative functions, ensuring swift staffing of critical academic and administrative positions. The division prioritizes identifying and nurturing emerging leaders and high-potential talent, fostering a culture of innovation and inclusivity, and establishing a strategic succession plan and skills training culture for long-term stability. Moreover, we offer mandatory leadership training to inspire and engage team members in taking responsibility for their roles.
Position summary:
The HR Director, reporting to the Vice President for Human Resources, is responsible for aligning HR strategies with business objectives, driving organizational effectiveness, and fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. The HR Director manages projects in collaboration with various departments, operates an employee performance evaluation system, develops labor policies, and leads recruitment. Additionally, you will be designing career development programs for young researchers and research support specialists, strengthening internal communication strategies, and optimizing HR technologies to improve the organization's digital transformation and engagement at OIST. You will serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, providing strategic HR guidance and solutions to support the achievement of business goals.
The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University was established in 2011 to contribute to the development of science and technology worldwide and to serve as a hub of innovation in Okinawa. OIST is a dynamic new graduate university of science and technology in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan which offers a 5-year PhD program and brings together outstanding researchers from across the country and across disciplines to conduct cutting-edge scientific research.
The university is located on 85 hectares of protected forestland overlooking a beautiful shoreline and coral reefs. The campus is striking architecturally, and the facilities are outstanding. To facilitate multidisciplinary research, there are no academic departments. Outstanding resources and equipment are provided and managed to encourage easy access and collaboration.
English is the official language of the University, and the university research community is fully international, with more than 50 countries represented. OIST is rapidly gaining recognition in the worldwide academic community as a model for excellence in education and research, and our unwavering commitment to scientific and technological innovation is dedicated to generating progress that will fuel Okinawa's economic growth.
Responsibilities:
- Provide project management to implement the HR strategy developed by the President in collaborating with division heads as an HR partner
- Under the direction of the Vice President for Human Resources (VPHR), strengthen the compensation and evaluation mechanisms through a performance management system to ensure fair and transparent evaluation of employee performance and contributions.
- Assist in the continuous improvement of the HR strategy led by the VPHR, based on labor market trends, best practices in human resource management, and technological advances.
- Work closely with the VPHR and the Senior Management to build a foundation for HR policies to achieve the strategic goals
- Lead the Employee and Labor Relations Section in investigating complaints and counseling regarding possible harassment.
- Develop and update labor management policies based on a thorough understanding of labor laws and regulations, employment practices, and cultural differences across regions.
- Lead the recruiting team and take the initiative in recruiting for senior management positions at OIST
- Collaborate with the Core Facilities to design and implement career development and leadership training programs to maximize the success of outstanding individuals
- Work with the Graduate School and other related Divisions to develop programs to support early-career scientists and to encourage their independent research.
- Collaborate with the Communication and Public Relations Division to develop effective internal communication strategies to increase employee engagement and transparency at OIST
- Promote talent exchange and knowledge sharing with universities and institutions in Japan and globally.
- Lead the implementation and optimization of HR technology to support the organization's digital transformation.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the VPHR
(Required)
- Extensive professional experience (10+ years) in human resources management, particularly in recruitment, HRBP, and labor relations
- Extensive experience developing HR strategies in multicultural environments for higher education institutions or multinational corporations
- Extensive experience in labor law, employment practices, and human resource management in a multicultural environment
- Strong leadership and team-building skills
- Strong communication and negotiation skills in both English and Japanese and the ability to work with diverse stakeholders.
- Project management and change management skills
- Knowledge of and ability to use HR technology and digital tools
- Business level English or higher. Bilingual English/Japanese preferred
- Experience in managing budget
(Preferred)
- Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field. Human Resource Management, Business Administration, Law, Psychology preferred
In accordance with the OIST Employee Compensation Regulations
Expected Annual Salary: 14,000,000 yen
*This amount represents the median annual salary for this position, which will be determined based on your experience and skills in accordance with the OIST Employee Compensation Regulations.
Benefits:
- Relocation, housing and commuting allowances
- Annual paid leave and summer holidays
- Health insurance (Private School Mutual Aid)
- Welfare pension insurance (kousei-nenkin)
- Worker's accident compensation insurance (roudousha-saigai-hoshou-hoken)
- Access to Child Development Center
- Access to Schooling Options
- Language Education
- Resource Center (Daily Life Support in Okinawa)
- Curriculum vitae in English required. Japanese version required only for Applicants whose native language is Japanese.
* Please be sure to indicate where you first saw the job advertisement.
* Names and contact information two of referees, one of which should be a previous employer, will be required if the Applicant is selected for an interview.
- OIST Graduate University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action educator and employer and is committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty, students and staff. The University strongly encourages applications from underrepresented groups.
- Information provided by applicants or references will be kept confidential, documents will not be returned. All applicants will be notified regarding the status of their applications.
- Please view OIST policy for rules on external professional activities
- Further details about the University can be viewed on the OIST website www.oist.jp.
Full-time, Managerial role, fixed term appointment for 2 years. Contract initially with 3-month probationary period (inclusive). This contract may be renewed.
9:00-17:30