Human Resource Manager

Job Responsibilities

With over 35 years of excellence, ELS Malaysia is the country’s leading English language training provider. We operate a nationwide network of centres and are internationally recognised for our academic quality, student success, and strategic partnerships with Malaysian and international universities. As we grow, we are seeking a dynamic HR leader to drive our people strategy and organisational culture forward.

Reporting directly to the Executive and Managing Directors, the Group Human Resources Manager is responsible for leading and executing the HR and administrative agenda across all ELS centres in Malaysia. This strategic leadership role plays a pivotal part in shaping a high-performance culture, strengthening organisational capability, and ensuring regulatory compliance in alignment with corporate goals and industry standards.

Strategic Human Resource Leadership

• Develop and implement HR strategies that support organisational growth, employee engagement, and operational efficiency.
• Advise the Executive Team on HR trends, workforce planning, and talent strategies to support business objectives.
• Ensure HR practices are aligned with the ELS mission, values, and long-term strategic direction.

Recruitment and Talent Acquisition

• Lead end-to-end recruitment processes for both academic and non-academic roles, including expatriate and local hires.
• Ensure timely and effective sourcing, onboarding, and integration of talent across all centres.
• Oversee workforce diversity, succession planning, and talent pipeline development.

Employee Relations and Engagement

• Foster a positive and inclusive workplace culture that promotes open communication, employee well-being, and high morale.
• Act as a key advisor in conflict resolution, employee grievances, and disciplinary processes, ensuring fair and lawful outcomes.
• Develop and implement initiatives to strengthen employee engagement and retention.

Talent Development and Performance Management

• Identify organisational training needs and design or source relevant learning and development programmes.
• Oversee performance appraisal systems, coaching frameworks, and career progression planning.
• Promote a culture of continuous learning and capability-building through structured interventions and mentorship.

HR Operations and Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with Malaysian labour laws, industrial relations regulations, immigration protocols, and statutory obligations (e.g. SOCSO, EPF, HRDF).
• Maintain accurate HR records, contracts, and policies across all locations.
• Lead audits and ensure readiness for regulatory inspections and external accreditations.

Digital Transformation and HR Technology

• Leverage AI and digital tools to automate and improve HR functions, such as applicant tracking, employee analytics, and training platforms.
• Promote data-driven decision-making across HR by generating insights on workforce trends, turnover, and productivity.

Stakeholder and Change Management

• Act as a liaison between centre heads, academic leaders, and executive management to align HR practices with business needs.
• Support organisational change initiatives, including restructuring, integration of new centres, or policy updates.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s Degree (B.A. / B.S.) is essential; specialisation in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred.
• A background in school business management or operations (minimum one year) is advantageous.
• Able to speak in English, Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin.

Professional Experience:

• A minimum of 3 to 5 years of progressive HR experience, with a demonstrable track record in HR leadership roles.
• Strong experience in recruiting, onboarding, and managing both local and expatriate employees, especially within a multicultural and multilingual environment.
• Proven ability in organisational training analysis, including identifying capability gaps, sourcing appropriate external training providers, and overseeing programme delivery and impact assessment.

Core Competencies:

• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills; able to build trust and maintain professional relationships across all organisational levels—from front-line staff to senior management.
• Strong organisational acumen with the ability to manage competing priorities, deadlines, and confidential matters effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic setting.
• Strategic thinker with hands-on capability; able to align HR strategies with organisational objectives and drive implementation across departments.

Industry-Specific Insight:

• Prior experience in the education, language training, or private higher education sector is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with the standards and expectations of international education operations will be considered a strong asset.

Technological Adaptability:

• Proven experience in leveraging AI and digital HR technologies to streamline HR functions such as recruitment, performance management, learning and development, and employee engagement.
• Capable of introducing data-driven HR practices and supporting management with insights for decision-making and workforce planning.

Employee Benefits at ELS Language Centres Malaysia

At ELS Malaysia, we believe that our people are our greatest asset. Our benefits package is thoughtfully designed to support employee well-being, reward contribution, and foster professional growth in a diverse, inclusive, and international workplace. The following outlines the key employee benefits extended to our team:

Medical and Healthcare Coverage

• Outpatient Medical Reimbursement: Employees are entitled to reimbursement for general practitioner consultations and basic medical treatments.
• Medical Card Subsidy: A subsidised medical insurance card is provided for eligible staff, covering panel clinics and hospitalisation.
• SOCSO & EIS Coverage: Full compliance with statutory health and employment injury benefits under Malaysia’s social protection schemes.

Leave Entitlements

• Annual Leave: Starting from 14 days of annual leave.
• Sick Leave: Paid medical leave in accordance with Malaysian Employment Act provisions.
• Emergency and Compassionate Leave: Additional leave days granted for family-related emergencies or bereavement.
• Maternity and Paternity Leave: As per Malaysian law, with additional flexibility depending on centre requirements.

Professional Development

• Internal Training Programmes: Regular in-house training focused on pedagogy, technology integration, leadership, and compliance.
• External Training Sponsorship: Access to HRDF-claimable courses and workshops for continued professional learning.
• TESOL Certification Support: Financial and academic support for instructors wishing to pursue formal teaching credentials.
• Leadership Development: Opportunities to attend management and strategic planning workshops for career advancement.

Global Work Environment

• Cultural Diversity: Staff work alongside colleagues and students from over 50 countries, gaining global exposure and cross-cultural skills.
• Academic and Administrative Collaboration: Opportunities to engage with international university partners and global education networks.
• Multilingual, Multinational Teams: Work in a diverse and vibrant environment with native and non-native English speakers from around the world.

Performance and Recognition

• Structured Performance Appraisals: Annual reviews to identify development needs, reward contributions, and plan career pathways.
• Staff Recognition Programmes: Awards and incentives for outstanding service, long service, and innovation in the workplace.

Work-Life Integration

• Flexible Work Arrangements: Especially for part-time instructors and selected roles, offering flexible hours and hybrid work options where applicable.
• Supportive Management Culture: Open-door leadership approach that encourages communication, collaboration, and employee feedback.
• Social Events and Centre Activities: Regular staff gatherings, festive celebrations, and engagement activities to build camaraderie.