Compensation & Benefits Specialist

The primary objective of this position is to proactively support the C&B (Compensation & Benefits) Team Leader in driving and managing all C&B-related matters across two legal entities in Japan. The scope of responsibility is broad and comprehensive, ranging from daily foundational operations—such as payroll, year-end tax adjustments, retirement allowance calculations, management of rules of employment and company regulations, social insurance procedures, and employment contract administration to strategic human resources management. This includes creating English reports and presenting updates to the APAC regional headquarters, designing and optimizing HR management systems, and taking the lead in project management for initiatives such as large-scale revisions of the HR and evaluation systems. Beyond these core C&B functions, the candidate is expected to showcase flexibility by supporting and taking ownership of various ad-hoc activities within the broader HR & General Affairs department as business needs and market environments evolve.

Responsibilities

Lead end-to-end payroll operations, year-end tax adjustments, social insurance procedures, retirement allowance management, and employment contract administration; Support the review and implementation of localized compensation and benefits (C&B) policies in Japan, including insurance programs, benefit campaigns, and job evaluations; Contribute to all aspects of job evaluation, salary benchmarking, and C&B initiatives in close collaboration with the APAC regional headquarters, while consistently driving process improvement, simplification, and harmonization; Stay updated on the latest regulations from relevant government agencies and labor laws, maintaining expert knowledge to ensure effective compliance and application within the company; Act as a C&B specialist to provide professional advice and handle inquiries for internal stakeholders (HR and business units) as well as external partners (government authorities, insurance providers, etc.); Assist in updating HR policies and documentation (e.g., employee handbooks, C&B policies) to ensure they are current, accurate, and fully aligned with local regulations, ethics & compliance guidelines, and Airbus values; Develop deep expertise in the company’s HR information systems (HRIS), with a specific focus on compensation modules (payroll, time and attendance, leave management, and core HR administration); Provide technical training and mentorship to other HR team members within the local market; Partner with HR Business Partners (HRBPs) to address employee inquiries regarding compensation and benefits; Support recruiters by handling C&B-related inquiries and preparing necessary documentation for international mobility/global relocation cases.

Requirements

Multitasking & Prioritization: Ability to efficiently manage, prioritize, and execute multiple diverse tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment; Team-Oriented: A collaborative team player dedicated to fostering cooperation and contributing to the achievement of overall organizational goals; Challenge-Driven: Highly motivated by complex challenges and new opportunities, with a proactive approach to problem-solving; Ownership & Initiative: Strong willingness to take full responsibility (ownership) and act proactively to drive tasks and projects to completion; Cross-Cultural Agility: Deep understanding of and respect for diverse cultures and backgrounds, with the ability to work smoothly and communicate effectively in a global environment; Growth Mindset: Embracing change with a resilient attitude and a strong willingness to courageously take on new initiatives and innovative practices; High Motivation & Resilience: Highly self-motivated and adaptable, with a proven ability to manage high-volume workloads and navigate complex, ambiguous situations under pressure; Business Communication in Japanese and English; At least 3 years and more of working knowledge in Compensation & Benefits (in-house or as consultant), through such topics as: job evaluation and grading, benchmark, understanding of taxes and social contributions, benefits schemes, etc.; Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (including VLOOKUP, SUMIFS, IF functions, Pivot Tables, and data cleansing) with the ability to process, reconcile, and audit large volumes of HR data (approx. 400 employees) with speed and high accuracy; Competent in managing excel and/or G-sheets; Awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Nice to have

Deep understanding of the Labor Standards Act, Article 36 Agreement (36 Kyotei), and a wide range of employment types (contract, dispatch, intra-group transfers, and short-term employees); ability to accurately assess labor risks and implement compliant C&B operations; Excellent interpersonal skills and a strong customer oriented mindset to ensure proper stakeholder management and provide professional HR services to internal customers; Ability to audit and map existing workflows, identify inefficiencies, and create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to drive team productivity and reduce overtime; Proven ability to design and implement compliant, flexible C&B solutions for non-standard cases (e.g., intra-group transfers, unique contract types, short-term employment); Strong knowledge of major HR Management Systems (e.g. BIPO, Workday, etc.)

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements