Role Purpose:
The Director, People & Culture, Singapore is responsible for leading the full spectrum of HR strategy and operations for SJ’s Singapore business. The role partners with business line leadership to align people initiatives with business priorities, ensure workforce readiness and uphold compliance and employee engagement in a unionized, regulated environment.
The role leads a team of HR professionals and acts as the primary strategic advisor for all people-related matters within Singapore.
Key responsibilities:
1. Strategic HR Leadership
Partner with Business Line leadership team in Singapore to translate business goals into actionable people plans.
Lead workforce planning, talent strategy and organization design initiatives.
Act as a trusted advisor on leadership effectiveness, employee engagement, workforce stability and team effectiveness.
2. Union and Industrial Relations
Manage all union-related matters incl collective agreements, consultation processes, grievance handling and negotiations.
Maintain constructive and collaborative union relationships, grounded in mutual respect and adherence to Singapore’s tripartite guidelines and industrial relations frameworks.
3. Talent Management and Capability Development
Drive annual talent reviews, development planning and succession strategies in collaboration with Group P&C.
Support workforce upskilling and alignment with future capability needs.
4. HR Operations, Compliance & Policy Governance
Oversee day-to-day HR operations, employee lifecycle processes.
Work closely with the Global Shared Services (GSS) team to ensure accurate and timely execution of payroll and employee administrative matters.
Ensure adherence to MOM regulations, internal policy frameworks and governance standards.
Coordinate audits, reporting and compliance reviews as required.
5. Change & Culture Enablement
Act as a key enabler of the company’s ongoing transformation journey, supporting organizational change, process harmonization and new ways of working.
Support leaders and teams through change, fostering adaptability, collaboration and continuous improvement mindsets.
6. Group P&C Specialist functions Collaboration
Partner with relevant P&C Specialists to deliver end-to-end people solutions:
Total Rewards – support annual salary and bonus cycles, policy governance and benchmarking
Talent Acquisition – align on workforce planning and hiring needs
Global People Development & Global Academy – support performance management, talent reviews and ongoing capability development.
Ensure local execution of Group-led initiatives in alignment with business priorities.
Key Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business or related field; Master’s preferred
15 - 20 years of progressive HR experience, incl at least 5 years in a senior HR leadership capacity
Strong experience working within a unionized environment, with hands-on involvement in collective bargaining, union engagement and resolution of employment disputes
Demonstrated familiarity with Singapore tripartite frameworks, employment legislation and HR practices.
Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills, with ability to influence senior leaders.
Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing HR teams.
Resilient, adaptable and committed to delivering practical and people-centric outcomes.
At Surbana Jurong, we put talent, hard work, teamwork and a fun workplace together to approach problems and solve them creatively and collaboratively. Join us in making a positive impact on the world!
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in HR, Business or related field
- Master's degree
- 15-20 years of progressive HR experience, including at least 5 years in a senior HR leadership capacity
- Strong experience working within a unionized environment, including collective bargaining, union engagement and dispute resolution
- Familiarity with Singapore tripartite frameworks, employment legislation and HR practices
- Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills with ability to influence senior leaders
- Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing HR teams
- Resilient, adaptable and committed to delivering practical, people-centric outcomes
What We Do
Surbana Jurong and our member companies are a global multidisciplinary consultancy group with more than 120 offices in over 40 countries. We are architects, designers, planners, engineers and other specialists, driven by progressive thinking to create a better built environment. We are united in our mission of Building Cities, Shaping Lives. By designing and delivering quality housing, workspaces, roads, rail, hydropower, dams, underground and coastal protections and other critical infrastructure, we are creating smart and sustainable spaces where communities and businesses, present and future, can thrive. With over 70 years’ experience delivering projects worldwide, we see every project as an opportunity for us to fulfil aspirations and enrich lives. Join us, and join a culture of innovation, passion for problem-solving and commitment to shaping a better future.
