Lead Specialist, Japan Learning & Talent Development

Position summary:

As the Lead Specialist, Japan Learning & Talent Development, the role will be a Japan-based member of the APAC People & Organizational Development (POD) team, serving as the primary point of contact and program lead for learning and talent development initiatives across Japan.

While operating as part of the APAC POD organization, this role primarily supports the Japan business and acts as the local owner and execution lead for learning and talent development programs, stakeholder engagement, and learner experiences within Japan. The majority of stakeholder interactions will be with Japan-based employees, managers, HR Business Partners, and business leaders to ensure learning solutions address local business and talent needs.

The role is responsible for the end-to-end management and deployment of learning and talent development initiatives, including program planning, stakeholder alignment, communications, facilitation, localization, measurement, and continuous improvement. The individual will act as a trusted partner to HR and business leaders, helping drive employee growth, leadership effectiveness, and organizational capability development.

In addition, this role will collaborate closely with APAC and Global POD colleagues to support the deployment of enterprise-wide learning initiatives, leadership programs, and talent development solutions. Responsibilities include participating in regional and global project teams, representing Japan's needs and perspectives, supporting localization efforts, and validating Japanese translations and learning materials to ensure cultural relevance and effectiveness.

Consistent with Stryker's belief that employees achieve their greatest success by understanding and developing their natural talents, this role will help promote strengths-based development practices across the organization and support learning and coaching experiences that enable employees and leaders to maximize their potential.

Essential duties & responsibilities: (detailed description)

Program Management & Japan Stakeholder Leadership:

• Acts as Japan Learning & Development Program Lead for designated enterprise-wide and local development initiatives.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for learning and talent development programs across Japan.
• Leads end-to-end program management including planning, scheduling, stakeholder engagement, communications, logistics, vendor coordination, implementation, reporting, and evaluation.
• Partners closely with employees, people managers, HR Business Partners, and business leaders to identify development needs and deliver impactful learning solutions aligned with local business priorities.
• Facilitates and co-facilitates learning experiences including leadership development programs, workshops, onboarding programs, and other employee development initiatives, both virtually and in person.
• Drives strong learner engagement and effective communication strategies to maximize participation and program impact.
• Supports strengths-based development initiatives and, upon completion of required certification, leverages Clifton Strengths® methodologies to help employees and leaders better understand, develop, and apply their natural talents.
• Monitors program effectiveness through participant feedback, stakeholder insights, and learning metrics, driving continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Manages multiple learning and talent initiatives simultaneously while ensuring a high-quality learner and stakeholder experience.
   

Global / APAC Collaboration Responsibilities:

• Collaborates with APAC and Global People & Organization Development (POD) teams to support the successful deployment of enterprise learning and talent development initiatives within Japan.
• Represents Japan business, cultural, and learner perspectives in regional and global project discussions.
• Partners with regional and global stakeholders to ensure learning solutions are effectively adapted and deployed for the Japan organization.
• Supports the localization of global learning programs, communications, and development initiatives to meet local business and employee needs.
• Reviews and validates Japanese translations, participant communications, and learning materials to ensure cultural relevance, clarity, and alignment with intended learning outcomes.
• Shares local feedback, insights, and best practices with regional and global teams to support continuous improvement of learning solutions.
• Builds effective working relationships with APAC and global colleagues while serving as the primary learning and talent development representative for Japan.
   

Qualifications & experience:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
• Minimum 5 years of Human Resources experience.
• Minimum 3 years of direct experience in Learning & Development, Talent Development, Talent Management, Organizational Development, or related HR disciplines.
• Experience facilitating or co-facilitating workshops, training programs, onboarding sessions, leadership development experiences, or similar learning events.
• Experience managing learning programs, projects, or talent development initiatives from planning through execution and evaluation.
• Demonstrated program management skills with the ability to successfully manage multiple priorities and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to build credibility and influence across HR, business functions, leadership teams, and external partners.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Native-level or business-fluent Japanese language capability.
• Advanced conversational English skills, including the ability to participate in regional and global meetings, collaborate with international colleagues, and work with English-language materials and communications.
• Strong planning, organizational, and execution skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively within a matrixed global organization.
   

Physical & mental requirements:

• Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.  Generally, involves sitting most of the time.
• Must be able to operate common office equipment (e.g. PC, printer, calculator, telephone, etc.).
• Must be able to review printed and handwritten materials.
• Must be able to communicate telephonically and with large groups of people.