Head of ER Advisory - Malaysia

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The People team leads the implementation of the Group’s people strategy in line with business objectives. It facilitates talent management, succession planning and employee mobility while defining and overseeing frameworks that support employee performance management, reward, learning and development, resourcing and engagement.

We are currently seeking for an industry professional with a proven track record to join our team in the role of Employee Relations & Advisory Head, Malaysia.

Role purpose

Lead HSBC’s Employee Relations (ER) and People/HR Advisory capability for the country, ensuring consistent application of organisational guidelines (conduct, diversity, wellness) while providing expert advice and coaching to leaders on complex people matters. Drive transformation and industrial relations outcomes that balance people risk, regulatory compliance, and business performance.

Principal responsibilities

Strategic leadership & service delivery

• Lead the ER and People Advisory function to deliver consistent, high-quality advice aligned to HSBC’s people strategy and operating model.

• Build ER/advisory capability by leading, coaching, and developing HR Generalists/Advisors and line managers on employee relations and people management practices.

• Use data and analytics to generate insights, identify emerging people risks, and inform people strategy and change decisions.

Employee relations, investigations & case management

• Provide expert guidance on complex employee relations matters, including disciplinary issues, grievances, capability cases, and executive escalations.

• Support internal investigations and ensure prompt, fair problem resolution, with strong documentation and report writing.

• Partner with Group Employee Relations and other internal stakeholders (including HSBC Confidential) to strategise and manage sensitive cases effectively.

Industrial relations & external stakeholder management

• Manage complex industrial relations negotiations and disputes to achieve best outcomes and mitigate reputational and litigation risks.

• Liaise with external stakeholders including recognised and non-recognised unions and legal counsel.

• Foster constructive industrial relations and strengthen union/social partnerships, particularly during periods of change.

Transformation, organisational design & restructuring

• Drive seamless business transformations while proactively mitigating people risks.

• Provide guidance and support to businesses/functions on organisational design and restructuring activities, including redundancies and offshoring, ensuring efficient execution.

• Collaborate across HR Advisories/Consultants, HRBPs, COEs, and other HR service owners to support delivery of business strategies through effective risk mitigation.

Risk, compliance & governance

• Ensure HR practices comply with labour/employment legislation, regulatory requirements, and internal HSBC policies and procedures.

• Support identification, assessment, and mitigation of employment practice and relations risks, providing people risk management support to the HR function.

Qualifications / experience

• Significant experience handling complex ER and industrial relations matters (e.g., CBA negotiations, industrial disputes, disciplinary, grievances, capability cases) gained in ER, legal, HR generalist, advisory, or transformation roles.

• Extensive HR advisory/leadership experience in a large, complex organisation (financial services preferred), with strong business acumen and ability to interpret changing business trends.

• Solid knowledge of labour and employment legislation and its practical application in a business context.

• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence across a matrix and at senior executive level.

• Clear, concise communication style; strong interpersonal skills.

• Strong investigation and report writing capability; high attention to detail.

• Proven ability to multi-task, re-prioritise, and remain calm under pressure.

• People management experience and a demonstrated track record of developing teams.