Head of HR Philippines

The Head of HR is responsible for leading the Human Resources function in the Philippines and partnering with senior leadership to drive strategic people initiatives that support business goals.

This role ensures the alignment with regional HR strategies, the effective delivery of HR services, and compliance with local regulations. The role actively engages with regional HRBPs, Centers of Expertise (COEs), Talent Acquisition, and People Services teams to ensure alignment and collaboration.

Job Responsibilities:

HR Business Partnering

• Partner with senior management to deliver the Philippines’ strategic people agenda.
• Oversee all cyclical HR processes (e.g., performance evaluations, talent reviews, promotions, pay reviews) in collaboration with regional HRBPs and COEs.
• Provide HR advice and guidance to leadership and staff, including on employee relations issues / grievance handling, in consultation with the Regional ER lead.
• Drive the local implementation of Learning & Development and Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging (DIB) initiatives in close collaboration with Regional HR Leads and local business stakeholders - such as ERG members and committee representatives - ensuring these efforts are embedded within each country’s people strategy.
• Analyse Organisational Health Index (OHI) results at the country level and collaborate with Country and Branch Management to provide guidance to relevant stakeholders or OHI Action Committee members, where applicable. Support the development of targeted follow-up actions to address identified gaps and opportunities
• Communicate key HR messages to employees and leadership in a timely manner.

HR Operations

• Oversee payroll processing and income tax filing in coordination with payroll vendors.
• Lead benefit strategy for the Philippines with support from APAC P&R, ensuring alignment with market positioning and APAC standards. Support Local benefit administration as required.
• Maintain and update local HR policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with local labor laws and ING Group policies.
• Support the implementation of organisational health and safety practices in line with local regulatory requirements, in collaboration with the COO function where applicable; ensure regulatory responsibilities such as annual health checks and committee participation are fulfilled.
• Stay abreast of local compliance and regulatory developments to ensure HR policies and practices remain aligned with legal requirements.
• Manage HR-related vendor contracts and intra-group agreements, ensuring timely and accurate payments.
• Proactively drive process improvements, enhance efficiency and digitization, and leverage central People Services.

Talent Acquisition & Onboarding

• Collaborate seamlessly with the Talent Acquisition team. Ensure the timely generation of contracts once hires are approved and manage all subsequent onboarding activities.
• Execute intra-department staff transfers.

Risk Management & Reporting

• Lead all local HR-related Non-Financial Risk (NFR) activities.
• Ensure timely and accurate regulatory, tax, and management reporting (e.g., Key Risk Indicators, staff movement).
• Manage HR related statutory and non-financial risk reporting in line with local and regional requirements.
• Develop and maintain the HR Business Continuity Plan (BCP).
• Stay up to date with developments in HR information systems and their applications.
• Ensure the accuracy, consistency, and integrity of data within the HR information system.

Budget & Cost Management

• Manage HR costs in line with the approved budget.
• Approve HR-related expenses within authorized limits.

Change Management & Process Improvement

• Provide local input and support for regional change initiatives.
• Collaborate with Regional HR and COEs to develop and improve people solutions (e.g., payroll model optimization, digitization of records).
• Support Communities of Expertise in developing new people solutions and look for ways to streamline and improve existing processes (including payroll model, CPS optimization, digitization of records etc.)

Local Responsibilities

• Organize and lead regular meetings for the Employee Pension Committee with support from external consultant.

Committee Memberships

• Philippine Management Team, Risk Management Committee, CSR Committee, Retirement Committee

What we're looking for:

• 5-10 years of experience in generalist HR roles in financial services organizations, ideally in a matrix-led organisation,
• Strong operational background, including experience in employee lifecycle management (onboarding, offboarding and payroll coordination with outsourced vendors and shared services centres),
• Solid understanding of HR risk and controls in order to support statutory and non-financial risk reporting,
• Knowledge of employment law and ability to interpret policies and procedures
• Workday and MS office proficiency,
• Ability to interpret data to inform decisions,
• Hands-on with a can do attitude and strong collaboration skills,
• Ability to work independently and leverage off colleagues in other countries as required,
• Strong stakeholder management with the ability to influence and drive talent and performance discussions with senior stakeholders,
• Demonstrated ability to drive and execute change in terms of work deliverables and culture, 
• Good English communication skills (verbal & written).