HR Director Japan & Korea - Tokyo, JP

 

CIC is seeking a strategic, operationally strong, and internationally minded HR Director to support our growing operations in Japan. The role could also include helping establish the HR foundation for our center in Korea in the future.

ABOUT CIC & CIC Japan

CIC builds and connects thriving innovation communities around the world. Founded in 1999 in Cambridge, MA, we were one of the first companies to offer flexible office space and coworking. We manage a global network of innovation-focused workspace, laboratories, and event space across North America, Europe, and Asia, and continue to expand globally.

 Additionally, CIC’s consulting division “CIC Catalyst” provides innovation-related programs, builds and enables innovation districts for cities, and supports startups and companies on their innovation.

CIC Japan operates 3 innovation campuses, Tokyo, Fukuoka and Osaka. CIC Tokyo, our first site in Asia, is a pioneer and market-leading innovation center in Japan. Opened in 2020, it has a total area of ​​about 6,000 square meters on two floors of the Toranomon Hills Business Tower. 

In 2025, we launched CIC Fukuoka in the Tenjin district of the Fukuoka city center. This spring, we launched Osaka Life Science Nexus (O-Nexus) as CIC Japan’s first sector-focused campus. O-Nexus is a key element of Nakanoshima Qross, Japan’s leading life science cluster with a purpose of industrializing future medical care, by bringing together researchers, medical institutions, companies, startups, and support organizations under one roof.

CIC Japan has spearheaded the global growth of the consulting division CIC Catalyst on a variety of acceleration programs and consulting projects. Many of the CIC clients and program participants are deep-tech focused and looking to global expansion. Because of its influence in the startup and innovation ecosystem, CIC campuses have frequent visits of VIPs such as Prime Minister Kishida, Governor Koike, Governor Hattori, and other business leaders in Japan.

Learn more about us here.

YOUR DAY-TO-DAY WORK

This role is a key partner to local leadership and employees, balancing strong local execution with alignment to CIC's global HR standards. The HR Director oversees a broad remit spanning organizational effectiveness, workforce planning, talent acquisition, leadership coaching, performance management, compensation, employee relations, and regional HR coordination as we expand in Asia beyond Japan.

It is a highly collaborative and visible role requiring strong judgment, discretion, and comfort operating in an international, matrixed environment. The HR Director sits on the Japan leadership team and works closely with CIC's global HR team.

Your most important responsibilities will include:

• Strategic HR Partnership - Partnering with leaders in Japan and Korea to set direction and action plans that enable business growth.
• Talent Acquisition - Working with hiring managers to execute recruitment aligned with business needs and workforce plans, supported by CIC's global Talent Acquisition team to ensure consistent standards across regions.
• Leadership Coaching - Coachinh managers on leadership effectiveness and people management — goal setting, individual and team development, communication, and feedback.
• Performance Management, Compensation & HR Operations - Overseeing key people processes including performance management, compensation review cycles, payroll oversight, and HR policy implementation.
• Employee Relations & Labor Management - Leading employee relations and labor matters within the Japanese labor law environment, with professionalism and sound judgment.
• HR Analytics, Reporting & Executive Partnership - Partnering with local and global stakeholders on workforce reporting, HR analytics, and organizational planning — preparing leadership updates, supporting headcount and budgeting discussions, and enabling informed organizational decisions.
• Partner & Stakeholder Alignment - Supporting each campus's General Manager in productive conversations with the owner on HR alignment and organizational topics.
• Regional HR Team Collaboration - Working in close partnership with the existing Japan HR team — the Talent Acquisition Lead (Japan) and People Operations Lead for Payroll, Benefits and HR Systems (Japan) — and support establishing the HR function for the future Korea campus.

ABOUT YOU

You are an experienced HR leader who brings strong business judgment, operational discipline, and maturity to navigate complex organizational environments. As an ideal candidate you are both strategic and hands-on — able to build trusted relationships with leaders and navigate complex situations with confidence. 

YOU HAVE

• 7+ years of progressive HR experience, ideally within international, matrixed, or fast-paced organizations.
• Strong knowledge of Japanese labor law and employee relations practices is essential, along with demonstrated experience handling sensitive organizational and workforce matters.
• Fluency in Japanese and strong professional English communication skills are required. 
• Working experience with work rules (shugyo kisoku), industrial physicians and mental health support.
• Experience supporting regional or multi-country operations is strongly preferred, and exposure to Korea or broader Asia HR environments would be an advantage.

OUR OFFER

• Competitive salary, commensurate with experience.
• 6-month contractor engagement, with transition to a permanent contract.
• Commuting / Transportation allowance.
• Massage session once a month.
• Allocated budget for training (customized to specific requirements of the role and organization's objectives)
• Retirement allowance after successfully passing the probation period.

Please submit your application in English. Thank you!

WHO WE ARE 

At CIC, our values aren't a poster on the wall - they shape how we work, how we hire, and how we show up for each other every day. You'll hear about them throughout our recruitment process:

• We are good humans — respect, kindness, and accountability in every interaction
• We are happy to help — we step forward with care, energy, and pride in our work
• We are problem solvers — curious, growth-minded, and always looking for a better way
• We are resilient — steady under pressure and adaptable in the face of change
• We deliver — dependable and results-driven, balancing speed with quality.

CIC welcomes all candidates regardless of race, color, ancestry, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status or disability. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer

Special notes regarding measures against indoor secondhand smoke. Designated smoking room & heated Tobacco room are available within office building.