HR Business Partner and Employee Relations Manager

RMA Group, headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand, is a multi-sector group with over 9,000 employees and an operational presence in 17 countries. For 40 years, we have developed enduring partnerships to support the needs of our clients, underpinned by the core values of innovation, integrity, and endurance. Through its various businesses including RMA Automotive, Global Fleet Sales, Comin Asia, and Express Food Group (EFG), RMA Group has established itself as the partner of choice for leading automotive, equipment, engineering services, and food brands in Southeast Asia and beyond.

Overview of the Role

The HR Business Partner & Employee Relations Manager serves as a strategic HR partner to business leaders, providing expert guidance across Engineering Solutions, Financial Services, and Corporate Functions. The role is responsible for aligning HR initiatives with business objectives while overseeing recruitment, payroll, employee relations, and labour law compliance. Acting as a trusted advisor, the successful candidate will foster a positive workplace culture, support organizational change, and ensure fair, consistent, and legally compliant people practices across the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with business leaders to develop and implement effective HR strategies aligned with business goals.
• Drive HR initiatives that enhance organizational culture, employee engagement, and business performance.
• Provide expert HR consultancy and support across multiple business units.
• Lead organizational change initiatives and advise leaders through business transformation.
• Manage workforce planning, talent management, and succession planning activities.
• Oversee recruitment activities, ensuring timely and cost-effective hiring of high-quality talent.
• Develop and implement innovative sourcing and employer branding initiatives.
• Advise hiring managers on recruitment best practices and interview techniques.
• Manage payroll processing for assigned business units, ensuring accuracy and compliance with labour and tax regulations.
• Monitor HR service performance through key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Lead employee relations activities, including grievance handling, conflict resolution, and disciplinary matters.
• Provide expert advice to management on complex employee relations issues and labour law matters.
• Develop and maintain HR policies, procedures, and employment practices in line with local legislation.
• Liaise with government agencies and labour authorities on employment-related matters.
• Conduct research on labour legislation and HR best practices to ensure ongoing compliance.
• Support negotiations and maintain positive relationships between employees and management.
• Represent the company on labour-related matters with external stakeholders.
• Perform other HR and employee relations duties as required.

Background and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• Master's degree is an advantage.
• Minimum of five years' HR generalist experience, preferably at management level within multinational or large local organizations.
• Strong knowledge of Lao labour law and employment regulations.
• Fluent in both Lao and English, with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to influence and build strong relationships with stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to translate business needs into effective people strategies.
• Experience in:
• Organizational design and workforce planning
• Recruitment and selection for management-level positions
• Talent management and succession planning
• Compensation and remuneration management
• Performance management
• Employee engagement and internal communications
• Organizational development and productivity improvement
• Employee retention strategies
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, multicultural environment while managing multiple priorities.

The role is based in Vientiane, Laos, with occasional travel to various business divisions as required. The successful candidate will work closely with senior business leaders, HR teams, government agencies, and external service providers, making this an excellent opportunity for an experienced HR professional seeking a strategic and operational leadership role.

RMA Group is an equal opportunity employer, with a diverse group of colleagues globally representing different cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs. Our values of Innovation, Integrity, and Endurance are embedded in what we do, and we welcome applicants who are committed to respecting diversity of thought and living our values on a day-to-day basis.