Head of People - Asia Pacific

We don’t just talk, we do. Lead the change with us. At the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, we work with political leaders around the world to drive change. We help governments turn bold ideas into reality so they can deliver for their people. We do it by advising on strategy, policy and delivery, unlocking the power of technology across all three. And by sharing what we learn on the ground, so everyone can benefit. We do it to build more open, inclusive and prosperous countries for people everywhere.

We are a global team of over 800 changemakers, operating in more than 40 countries, across five continents. We are political strategists, policy experts, delivery practitioners, technology specialists and more. We speak more than 45 languages. We are working on over 100 projects, tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges. We’re all here at TBI to make a difference. In a world of ever more complex challenges, we believe diversity of background and perspective is a strength. We pride ourselves on a culture that values and nurtures difference.

We are dedicated to unlocking potential, not only for the countries we work in but also for each of our team members. No matter where you’re from or who you are, if you’re passionate about the transformative power of progressive politics, we invite you to build a better future with us. Role SummaryPeople ManagementLead, coach, and develop a small team that spans People business partnering, HR operations, recruitment, digital systems, and office operations, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and a high standard of service delivery.

Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership to the People team, as well as digital and office operations functions, fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement across these key support areas. Strategic HR & Business Partnering Develop and implement a regional People Strategy that aligns with the Institute’s vision and strategic objectives, integrating input from regional leaders and global functional counterparts to drive organizational success. Provide strategic advice and business partner support to leaders and managers within APAC focusing on resourcing, talent management, strategic people planning, and employee relations.

Partner with leaders in the APAC region to provide guidance and support on people-related matters. Work closely with other People Partners across regions to ensure alignment and consistency in people strategies. Drive engagement initiatives to build and nurture an open and progressive, bold and pragmatic, optimistic oriented culture across the region. People Operations & ComplianceEnsure consistent process compliance and efficiency to effectively deliver people processes and objectives at both regional and global levels. Provide guidance to track and monitor the performance of people-related initiatives within the Organization.

Support on day-to-day people management matters, as well as the strategic direction of the business within key stakeholders. Oversee payroll and support the team with payroll preparation, data analysis and approval. Provide expert advice on relevant employment law, emerging trends, best practice and support on implementing new legislation. Manage and negotiate employee disputes, underperformance, disciplinary matters, and grievances while ensuring fair and effective resolution. Define and develop hiring strategies for new roles driven by the needs of the relevant team or division and funding requirements.

New Country EntryPartner with cross-functional stakeholders to support strategic planning and operational readiness for new country entries—including workforce setup, compliance considerations, infrastructure needs, and cultural integration. Lead the coordination of systems, policies, and onboarding processes for new market entry, ensuring alignment with regional and global standards. Advise on country-specific HR and operational risks and requirements, working closely with legal, finance, and global teams to ensure smooth market activation. Performance Management & DevelopmentCollaborate with colleagues within the Global People Team to deliver the Institute’s performance management, learning and reward processes and initiatives.

Lead the annual year-end review process and related activities while overseeing and supporting all performance management processes. Digital Operations Provide strategic oversight of digital operations within the region, ensuring alignment with global systems, processes, and standards. Leverage global resources and collaborate with central teams to ensure the successful implementation and optimization of digital tools that support people and office operations within APAC. Support the local Digital Analyst by facilitating access to technical guidance and expertise from global teams, helping ensure consistency, integration, and data quality across platforms.

Person Specification This is a critical role within a fast-paced team, responsible for delivering high-quality People Operations support while contributing to broader People strategy initiatives. The successful candidate should possess a strong commitment to operational excellence, employee experience, and business partnering, and be able to demonstrate most of the following: Extensive experience as a lead / senior HR business partner, specializing in operational HR delivery within international, commercial, matrixed, and fast-paced environments across the APAC regionExperience of working in a global organisations head-officed outside of the region.

Expertise in executing and optimizing People Operations processes, including employee lifecycle management, payroll management, performance management, and compliance. A practical understanding of how to align people processes with business needs, with some exposure to strategic people initiatives. Strong influencing skills and the ability to build effective relationships at all levels, including with senior leaders and stakeholders. A hands-on approach with a willingness to engage in all aspects of People Operations, from daily HR processes to workforce planning support. Strong organisation and prioritisation skills and able to successfully manage and deliver multiple projects simultaneously.

A proven ability to analyse, interpret and communicate complex and fast-moving information to senior stakeholders. Ability to navigate difficult conversations and manage challenging individuals with professionalism and tact. Excellent verbal communication, writing, researching and editing skills. Flexible working style and ability to support in numerous jurisdictions, learn quickly, and navigate ambiguity. Fluency in written and spoken English. The applicant must have the right to work in Singapore. Closing Date: 2025-07-09