Associate Director - HR

About the Role

The Associate Director – HR will serve as a strategic HR leader and trusted advisor to business leaders in Singapore, driving both strategic and operational HR initiatives aligned with organizational goals and regulatory requirements. This role will be responsible for translating global HR strategies into local execution, ensuring compliance with Singapore employment legislation, and enhancing employee experience across the lifecycle. The incumbent will collaborate closely with HR Business Partners and Centers of Excellence (COEs) including Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards, Talent Development, and HR Services to deliver integrated HR solutions. The role also plays a critical part in strengthening organizational capability, driving employee engagement, and fostering a high-performance, inclusive culture within Singapore.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic HR Partnership

• Act as a trusted advisor to senior business leaders, providing strategic HR insights and solutions across workforce planning, organizational design, and talent strategies
• Translate business goals into actionable people strategies, ensuring alignment with regional and global HR priorities
• Support leadership teams in driving organizational effectiveness and transformation initiatives

HR Program Execution & Governance

• Lead the deployment of HR programs and processes in alignment with global frameworks and Singapore-specific regulatory requirements
• Ensure strong governance and compliance with Singapore employment laws, MOM regulations, Fair Consideration Framework (FCF), and internal policies
• Partner with HR COEs to drive key initiatives across talent management, compensation, learning, mobility, and diversity

Employee Relations & Compliance

• Provide expert guidance on complex employee relations matters including disciplinary actions, grievances, and conflict resolution
• Ensure all HR practices comply with local employment legislation and company policies
• Act as a key escalation point for high-risk ER cases and compliance matters

Talent Management & Capability Building

• Drive talent review, succession planning, and leadership development initiatives for Singapore
• Design and implement programs to enhance employee capability, engagement, and retention
• Partner with business leaders to identify skill gaps and workforce development priorities

Employee Experience & Engagement

• Champion employee engagement initiatives to enhance employee value proposition and workplace culture
• Foster a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion where employee experience is prioritized
• Lead initiatives focused on employee connectivity, well-being, and organizational culture

Data & Insights-Driven HR

• Leverage HR data, metrics, and analytics to provide actionable insights and support decision-making
• Monitor HR trends (attrition, engagement, performance) and recommend improvements
• Drive continuous improvement and simplification of HR processes

Collaboration & Operations

• Work closely with HRBPs, COEs, and HR Services teams to ensure seamless HR service delivery
• Oversee delivery of HR operations and administrative processes through shared services
• Lead and mentor junior HR team members

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related discipline
• 12-15 years of progressive HR experience, preferably in a matrixed multinational organization
• Proven experience in strategic HR business partnering at senior leadership levels
• Strong knowledge of Singapore employment laws, MOM regulations, and HR compliance frameworks
• Demonstrated experience in employee relations, talent management, and organizational development
• Exposure to regional or APAC HR operations is highly preferred

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills at senior leadership level
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution
• Experience in leading and driving HR transformation initiatives
• Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making capability
• Proven leadership coaching and advisory experience
• High level of business acumen and commercial understanding
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

What we offer

• The chance to work with impact. Here, you’re empowered to bring your biggest thinking to help our company and clients improve everyday life.
• Ownership over your career. Stay at the top of your game through our award-winning learning and development ecosystem. And when your ambitions change or we offer new opportunities, we help you pivot by providing reskilling, on-the-job learning and guidance to find new roles that might be a better fit.
• The opportunity to thrive on a high caliber team with heart. We celebrate each other’s experiences and perspectives and promote a sense of belonging through our affinity groups and diversity and inclusion initiatives.
• A comprehensive total rewards package, including a competitive salary and a pension plan with matching contributions.
• Flexible health and financial benefits to support you and your eligible dependents—from day one.
• True work-life balance. Be at your best through paid time off, flexible work arrangements, volunteering opportunities, social events, and so much more.  

About us
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, building the bridge between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization’s unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, realize tangible returns and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at www.cognizant.com or @cognizant.

Other employment-related information
Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, provincial or local laws.

If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or submit an application, please email [email protected] with your request and contact information.

Language requirements vary depending on roles, but we ask that all candidates have basic English proficiency for company-wide communications purposes. For roles based in Quebec, professional English proficiency is required, as you’ll deliver services to and collaborate with stakeholders outside the province who may not speak French.