HR Manager

Job brief Our client is a trusted name in the cross-border education industry, specializing in delivering tailored academic planning, study-abroad guidance, and localized learning support for students seeking international education opportunities between China and Japan. With a deep understanding of both markets, it has built a cohesive team of education professionals and maintained a strong reputation for quality service.

We are seeking a dynamic and results-driven expert to join its' team as HR Manager, overseeing end-to-end human resources operations for the expanding education business in Tokyo. This is a key role requiring long-term relocation to Tokyo, Japan, we provide comprehensive support for visa applications. Leveraging your proven experience as an HR professional within Japanese education institutions, you will develop and execute strategic HR initiatives, foster a high-performance workplace culture, and ensure full compliance with local labor regulations. This role offers significant autonomy to shape our HR function and drive organizational success in Tokyos competitive education sector.

Responsibilities

• Oversee full-cycle recruitment: Manage job posting on Japanese and Chinese recruitment platforms, screen resumes, coordinate interview schedules, and maintain/optimize recruitment channels to attract high-quality candidates.
• Build and refine the companys training system: Develop annual training plans aligned with business goals, design and deliver onboarding programs for new hires, organize role-specific skill training and track training effectiveness to iterate on programs.
• Lead performance management: Coordinate company-wide performance reviews, support department heads in setting SMART performance goals, track progress throughout the cycle, facilitate performance feedback sessions, and ensure performance results are linked to development plans or incentives.
• Manage compensation and statutory benefits: Conduct accurate monthly payroll calculations, handle registration, adjustment, and cancellation of Japanese social insurance and ensure compliance with local wage and benefit regulations.
• Own employee relations and culture building: Manage end-to-end employee lifecycle processes (onboarding, transfer, promotion, resignation), organize team-building activities to foster a positive work environment, address daily HR inquiries, and resolve minor employee issues proactively.
• Administer foreign staff visa affairs: Establish a standardized visa management system, track visa expiration dates and send timely reminders, coordinate with employees to prepare application materials, and ensure compliance with policies.

Requirements

• Industry and Location Expertise: 3+ years of comprehensive HR management experience within Japanese education institutions (e.g., international schools, education groups, language schools, or academic organizations) in Japan.
• Relocation Readiness: Be willing and able to relocate to Tokyo, Japan for the long term.
• In-depth knowledge of Japanese labor laws, social insurance regulations, and foreign resident visa policies with proven hands-on experience in handling these matters.
• Proficiency in multiple HR modules: Demonstrated experience in recruitment, compensation and benefits, and employee relations, experience in training system development or performance management is a strong plus.
• Fluency in both Chinese and Japanese (written and spoken): Capable of drafting HR documents in both languages and communicating clearly with employees of different nationalities.
• Proactive and solution-oriented mindset: Ability to identify gaps in HR processes, propose improvements, and work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Master's degree or higher from a well-known Japanese university is preferred.