Head of Human Resources (HR Manager)

Job Description

The Head of the Human Resources (HR) Department is responsible for developing and implementing HR strategies, policies, and programs that support the university’s mission, vision, and strategic goals. This role ensures the effective management of human capital, fosters a positive work environment while maintaining compliance with Vietnamese labor laws and international HR best practices.

A. Daily responsibilities

1. HR Strategy and Policy Development

• Develop and execute HR strategies aligned with VGU’s mission and strategic plan.

• Establish and update HR policies, procedures, and guidelines to comply with Vietnamese labor laws and international standards.

• Advise university leadership on HR best practices, workforce planning, and talent management.

2. HR planning, talent acquisition and recruitment

• Lead recruitment, selection, and onboarding processes to attract and retain top talent for academic and administrative staff.

• Develop HR planning initiatives to support university growth and expansion.

• Oversee the implementation of fair and effective hiring procedures in compliance with local labor laws and international recruitment standards.

3. Employee relations and performance management

• Develop and implement performance management systems, including templates for setting KPIs and staff evaluations.
• Foster a positive institution culture through employee engagement, training, and professional development programs.
• Handle employee relations matters, grievance procedures, and conflict resolution in accordance with labor laws and university policies.

4. Compensation, benefits, and payroll Administration

• Design and oversee implementation salary structures, benefits programs, and incentive schemes to ensure competitive compensation packages.
• Ensure accurate and timely payroll processing in compliance with tax regulations and labor laws.
• Manage social insurance, health insurance, and other statutory employee benefits.
• Continue to develop the University’s reward strategy and supporting systems
• Plan and monitor the HR budget and organizational development.
• Development, implementation and administration of performance management, compensation and benefits, and improvement policies and systems.

5. Training and Development

• Prepare and provide training schemes to help new member integrate with organization’s culture, operation & expectation. Develop and oversee training programs to enhance employee skills and career development.
• Implement leadership and succession planning initiatives to build internal talent pipelines.
• Organize workshops and HR-related training sessions for faculty and staff.

6. Compliance & Disciplines:

• Safeguarding the compliance of all HR-policies and procedures with the labour law and external and internal regulations
• Ensure all employment terms and conditions are aligned with the University’s provision and governmental legislations.
• Deal with governmental authorities on functional HR related issues.
• Advise the management and employees on updated labour law and legal regulations.
• Develop and maintain excellent management information and HR systems support for the University.
• Provide advice and case management support in areas of grievance and discipline (usually at the appeal stage to supplement and support operational HR departments).
• Develop modern HR policies in response to the University’s strategic objectives and legal compliance requirements.
• Ensure that decisions on HR matters are made in accordance with good employment practices, HR policies and procedures, legislative requirements.

7. Legal affairs

• Provide legal advice on revision-related issues in all affairs to VGU, Board of President.
• Prepare comments for draft legal documents sent by agencies, units for comments or for suggesting relevant competent authorities to revise, supplement or issue a legal document; Draft up contracts and other legal documents.
• Contribute ideas regarding legal aspects for documents drafted by VGU’s departments/units before submitting to Presidential Board.
• Provide instruction on document formulation according to regulations.
• Assign staff to draft documents, official letters of VGU to send to authorities as assigned.
• Draft, revise contracts, agreement between VGU and parties as requested.
• Draft, review internal regulations of VGU in compliance with laws, regulations.
• Propose and improve forms, templates of official letters in accordance with Vietnamese legal procedure.
• Provide legal support to all departments

8. Organizational development and change management

• Develop and revise the university governance and organizational structure
• Lead HR initiatives in organizational change management, ensuring smooth transitions during restructuring or policy changes.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment that aligns with VGU’s values and international academic culture.
• Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the university.

9. HR technology and data management

• ·Oversee HR information systems (HRIS) and digital transformation initiatives to enhance HR operations.
• Utilize HR analytics and reporting tools for data-driven decision-making and workforce planning.

B. Periodic/ Irregular responsibilities

1. Analyse statistics, collate reports from other departments and to report on a periodic basic or ad hoc by the Presidential Board
2. Develop relevant HR content and ensure regular updating of the website,
3. Attendance at local, national and international recruitment events and workshops to promote VGU giving talks and presentations as required.

C. Other duties

1. Administration such as Health Check, Staff Outing, teachers’ day, Event Holding.
2. Cooperate with Procurement and Finance in purchasing: Health Insurance Package, Training courses
3. Special projects with iHRP system

Job Requirement

1. Qualification: 

• At least master’s degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field.

2. Experiences: 

• Minimum of 10 years of HR experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of Vietnamese labor laws and international HR best practices.
• Experience in an academic or international organization is preferred.
• Proven ability to develop HR strategies, manage HR operations, and lead teams effectively.

3. Knowledge:

• Have in – depth knowledge and skills in administration especially Human Resources
• Knowledge and understanding of current issues in the higher education sector
• Knowledge of widening participation and access agendas in higher education
• Knowledge of legal issues regarding labor relations in Vietnam.

4. Skills

• Strong leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Fluent in both oral and written English, fluently use English in discussions/meetings and prepare English report
• Knowing German is an advantage
• Excellent in office softwares (Word, Excel, PPT,…)
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent written and presentation skills
• Excellent listening skills
• Strong negotiation skills
• Experience of public speaking
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work collaboratively
• Ability to understand and analyse data and produce coherent reports to present to senior management
• Ability to work on own initiative and to deadlines
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to present in formation to groups as well as individuals
• Strong problem resolution skills
• Strong managerial and leadership abilities
• Excellent organisational skills

5. Required Competency

• Highly responsible
• Open, willing to collaborate
• Innovative and dynamic
• Capacity to work under pressure to tight deadlines
• Willingness  “to work in non regular working hours (evening or weekend) in urgent cases and on demand by PB”