Senior Manager Of People

About Us Guidepost Global Education (GGE) is a leading provider of world-class education, dedicated to nurturing the potential of every child. We operate the world’s largest Montessori network, under the brands Guidepost Montessori and Nest Pre-school , with more than 100 schools across the United States and Asia. We are committed to building teams that are passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and families, fostering an environment where our educators and staff can thrive and grow. Position Overview We are seeking a strategic and hands-on Senior Manager Of People to lead an HR team providing dedicated support to our Hong Kong business. This role is a key member of our regional People Operations (Asia) team. While the preliminary focus is on Hong Kong, the position has a path at the regional level to support our business in Singapore and new markets in the APEC area. This pivotal role demands a full-spectrum HR generalist who will serve as a trusted advisor to school leaders, execute core HR functions, and champion initiatives that significantly enhance the employee experience for our dedicated educators and staff. The ideal candidate will be a proactive partner, eager to drive people initiatives that support our educational mission and foster a high-performance, nurturing culture. Key Responsibilities Strategic Business Partnership Act as a strategic advisor to school leaders and business managers in Hong Kong on all people-related matters, including talent acquisition and management, performance coaching, and change management. Develop a deep understanding of the business and educational goals to provide insightful, data-driven HR solutions that support our schools. Translate business strategy into actionable HR plans and priorities. Full-Spectrum HR Operations Manage the end-to-end employee lifecycle for Hong Kong employees, including onboarding, probation, confirmation, transfers, promotions, and offboarding. Oversee and ensure the accurate and timely processing of payroll, benefits administration, and leave management in coordination with external vendors or the regional People Operations team. Maintain impeccable employee records and ensure all HR practices are in full compliance with local Hong Kong employment laws and regulations. Serve as the first point of contact for all employee queries regarding policies, procedures, and benefits. Employee Experience & Engagement Proactively identify opportunities to enhance the overall employee experience and drive engagement initiatives for our school teams. Manage employee relations with a fair, consistent, and supportive approach, fostering a positive and inclusive work environment. Conduct regular check-ins and pulse surveys to gauge employee sentiment and recommend actionable improvements. Talent Acquisition & Development Partner with hiring managers and the talent acquisition team to support the full recruitment cycle for Hong Kong roles, from teachers to operational staff, ensuring a smooth and positive candidate experience. Support performance management cycles, guiding leaders on goal setting, constructive feedback, and development planning for educators. Identify training needs within the business and coordinate or deliver development programs. Cross-Functional & Regional Collaboration Work closely as an integrated member of the regional People Operations (Asia) team to align on global initiatives, share best practices, and ensure consistency in HR delivery across Guidepost. Collaborate effectively with other support functions (Finance, IT, Operations) to provide seamless support to the schools. Qualifications and Experience Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field. Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in a generalist HR role, with proven experience as an HR Business Partner or similar. Must have experience supporting a diverse client group, ideally within education, retail, hospitality, or other multi-site operations. Exceptional command of English, both verbal and written, is essential. Proficiency in Chinese (Mandarin) is highly preferred to effectively communicate with regional stakeholders and team members. In-depth knowledge of Hong Kong employment legislation and HR best practices will be a huge plus, but not a must. Must be comfortable working remotely and possess a proven ability to build strong relationships in a hybrid environment. Willing and able to travel occasionally (approximately 4 times per year) as required. Key Competencies Strong Customer Service Mindset: A genuine passion for supporting and serving employees and school leaders. Business Acumen: Ability to understand business and educational priorities to provide practical HR support. Collaborative Spirit (Cross-Team Collaboration): Excellent interpersonal skills with a proven ability to build strong, trusting relationships at all levels of the organization, both in-person and virtually. Eagerness for Regional Exposure: A proactive and curious mindset, keen to engage on regional projects and understand broader APAC HR dynamics. High Integrity and Discretion: Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with professionalism. Proactive, Agile & Self-Sufficient: A self-starter who can operate effectively and independently in a remote setting, managing multiple priorities for various school locations. What We Offer A pivotal role with significant impact on our schools and the employee experience of our educators. Opportunities for professional growth and regional exposure within a global education leader. A collaborative and mission-driven work environment. Flexible remote work arrangement with occasional travel. Competitive compensation package.