Regional Human Resources Manager

Panthera Corporation

Panthera is the only organization in the world that is devoted exclusively to the conservation of the world’s 40 wild cat species and their ecosystems. Utilizing the expertise of the world’s premier cat biologists, Panthera develops and implements global strategies for the most imperiled species. Representing the most comprehensive effort of its kind, Panthera partners with local and international NGOs, scientific institutions, local communities, governments around the globe, and citizens who want to help ensure a future for wild cats. Panthera Corporation consists of Panthera Corporation- USA and several foreign legal entities and foreign branch offices. For more on Panthera, visit www.panthera.org.

Position Summary

The Regional Human Resources Manager will serve as the primary HR partner for operations in the Middle East and Asia. This role will support a diverse workforce including field staff, conservation specialists, program teams, and executive leadership.

The Regional HR Manager will provide strategic and operational HR leadership, ensuring compliance with employment laws while fostering an inclusive, high-performing work environment. The role requires a balance of hands-on HR support, policy implementation, employee relations, talent management, and collaborations with global HR teams.

The ideal candidate must be legally authorized to work in Malaysia.

Key Responsibilities

HR Strategy & Partnership

• Act as the primary HR business partner for teams in the region.
• Work closely with the global HR team to ensure consistency in policies and procedures.
• Contribute to cross-regional HR initiatives and knowledge-sharing.
• Align local HR practices with global people strategy and organizational values.
• Advise leadership on workforce planning, organizational design, and talent needs.
• Support regional leaders in building high-performing, inclusive teams.
• In collaboration with the Regional Hub Director, represent the region in global HR discussions and planning.

2. Employee Relations & Workplace Culture

• Serve as a trusted point of contact for employees on HR matters.
• Support and/or manage sensitive employee relations issues, including conflict resolution and HR investigations into workplace conduct where necessary.
• Promote a culture of respect, psychological safety, and inclusion.
• Deliver and/or support HR-related trainings and course.

3. Recruitment & Onboarding

• Lead and/or support recruitment for regional roles in partnership with hiring managers.
• Ensure fair, equitable, and inclusive hiring practices.
• Oversee onboarding for new hires, including orientation to organizational policies, mission, and culture.

Compensation, Benefits, and Workforce Planning

• Support implementation and administration of compensation frameworks, such as pay bands and market benchmarking.
• Support managers with performance management processes, such as goal-setting and feedback cycles, and performance-based incentives such as merit increases and other rewards.
• Advise on professional development, training, career pathways, and succession planning.

Compliance & HR Operations

• Ensure compliance with employment laws and regulations.
• Manage employment contracts, labor documentation, and statutory requirements.
• Oversee leave management, benefits administration, and payroll coordination (in partnership with Finance or external vendors).
• Maintain accurate HR records within Panthera’s HRIS.
• Support safe working conditions for field and office staff.
• Promote employee wellbeing initiatives.

Qualifications

Required

• 5 or more years of progressive HR experience, including employee relations and compliance.
• Strong knowledge of labor laws and employment practices in Malaysia and the region.
• Experience working in nonprofit, conservation, international development, or related sector preferred.
• Ability to work with diverse, multicultural teams.
• Strong communication, mediation, and problem-solving skills.
• Fluency in Malay (Bahasa Malaysia) and English is required.

Preferred

• Experience supporting field-based or remote teams.
• Experience working in Southeast Asia or across multiple countries.
• Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.

Key Competencies

• Cultural sensitivity and emotional intelligence
• Integrity and confidentiality
• Strategic thinking with operational execution
• Adaptability in dynamic environments
• Collaboration and stakeholder management
• Commitment to conservation and social impact