Japanese speaking HR & General Affairs Lead

Ref: SF46568

Sector

Sector HR/Immigration

Type

Type Full-time, Permanent

Location

Location London

Salary (Annual)

A dynamic and multicultural company operating at the intersection of digital marketing and global business is seeking an experienced and proactive HR & General Affairs Lead to join its London-based team.
This position is ideal for someone with solid HR operational experience and familiarity with both UK and Japanese business practices.
You will play a critical role in supporting our employees and ensuring our corporate functions operate smoothly, working closely with the local team and Japanese headquarters.

SF46568

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS:
- (O) Eligible visa: Permanent residence, Spouse, Partner, Working holiday, Graduate
- (X) NOT eligible: Student visa, Requiring visa sponsorship

WORK STYLE: Hybrid working style available
VISA SUPPORT: No
BENEFIT: Medical insurance, Free beer at the office!


Contract Type: Permanent, full-time
Salary: up to £43k depending on experience
Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 - 17:00 (flexible)
Start: ASAP
Location: London

HR & General Affairs Lead Main Responsibilities:
• Lead and manage the company's performance evaluation cycles
• Oversee payroll and tax matters for both expatriate and local employees
• Handle visa applications, renewals, and legal compliance
• Administer employee benefits and leave tracking systems
• Maintain and update HR policies, handbooks, and regulatory documents
• Manage onboarding and offboarding processes
• Conduct and analyse employee engagement surveys
• Align with HQ on global HR reporting and policy standardisation
• Handle workplace issues such as harassment and compliance concerns
• Report HR-related items in financial statements (e.g., Directors' Remuneration)
• Ensure compliance with GDPR and proper data handling
• Oversee HR budget planning and forecasting
• Support organisational restructuring and internal transfers
• Manage and renew business insurance coverage
• Handle lease agreements and facilities maintenance
• Oversee office operations, procurement, and vendor management
• Organise internal events, meetings, and employee communications
• Supervise administrative staff and ensure effective General Affairs operations
• Support internal audits and uphold governance compliance
• Perform other reasonable duties as assigned

HR & General Affairs Lead Ideal Candidate:
• At least 5 years of experience in a generalist HR role with both operational and strategic responsibilities
• Strong leadership and people management skills
• High attention to detail and professional integrity
• Proactive and adaptable with a problem-solving mindset
• Fluency in Japanese and English (spoken and written)
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with SaaS HR/admin tools
• CIPD qualification or equivalent (Preferred)
• Knowledge of UK employment law, visa compliance, and HR best practices (Preferred)
• Experience handling HR operations for both local and expatriate employees (Preferred)
• Ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure
• Excellent communication skills

All applicants for the HR & General Affairs Lead must have the right to work in the country without any restrictions as the Company is not able to offer visa support.

Working holiday and graduate visa holders with more than 18 months remaining on their visa may also apply, depending on their experience.