ER Partner (Employee Relations Partner)

About the Role

As the primary subject matter expert for employee relations (ER) across Japan, you will help Western Digital maintain consistent employment practices and reduce compliance risks. You will work closely with the Japan HR, Global HR, Compliance, and Legal teams to review, advise, and investigate workplace concerns, ensuring fair treatment of all employees. What You'll Do

• Serve as the primary subject matter expert for all employee relations matters across Japan, providing strategic and pragmatic guidance to employees and managers.

• Lead and manage complex ER cases including misconduct, grievances, performance management, workplace conflict, labor disputes and policy violations.

• Conduct and support workplace investigations, ensuring thorough fact-finding and providing clear, balanced, and actionable recommendations to support business decisions and employee outcomes.

• Act as the lead HR representative for regional union and labor relations matters, partnering cross-functionally to develop labor relations strategies, support negotiations, consultations on activities related to collective agreements, workplace changes and employee impact discussions. Promote constructive, collaborative relationships with union partners.

• Provide coaching and build capability of business leaders on managing performance, disciplinary actions, documentation standards and employee communications.

• Develop scalable manager education and preventative ER programs to strengthen leadership capability and foster a respectful workplace culture.

• Lead or participate in ER-related projects, initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts to enhance employee experience and organizational effectiveness.

• Maintain weekly ER/IR reports, track disciplinary cases and related data, and provide insights to support decision-making and trend analysis. What We're Looking For

• Deep expertise in Japanese employment law, labor relations practices and workplace culture.

• At least 8 years of ER/IR experience (union management or labor relations experience a plus).

• Strong judgment and decision-making when assessing a wide range of employee matters, ensuring fair, consistent, and business-aligned outcomes.

• Exceptional coaching capabilities to elevate manager effectiveness in performance management, equitable practices, and respectful workplace behaviors.

• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to interpret data, identify trends, and provide insights to inform decisions.

• Proven experience influencing senior leaders in a matrixed multinational environment.

• Fluency in Japanese and English strongly preferred. Nice to Have

• Experience operating in a global, multinational company with a matrix structure, engaging senior leaders to drive results. Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: 9,500,000 – 15,000,000 JPY per year (as posted). Location: Kanagawa, Fujisawa; hybrid work arrangement (3+ days on-site).

• Employment company: ウエスタンデジタルテクノロジーズ合同会社.

• Benefits and allowances: commuting allowance up to 150,000 JPY per month; relocation allowance for those moving; housing allowance for up to 6 years; annual salary increase; annual bonus (incentive); complete insurance (health, pension, employment, workers’ compensation); retirement and pension programs (defined contribution/defined benefit), 401K, stock purchase plan, and various allowances.