---
title: 'HR Director Japan & Korea - Tokyo, JP at CIC'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/hr-director-japan-korea-tokyo-jp-cic-tokyo-b2eemc1776qh'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-10'
---

# HR Director Japan & Korea - Tokyo, JP at CIC

- **Company:** CIC
- **Location:** Tokyo, Japan
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-07-08
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-10
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/cic/82f1fa79-163d-498a-a9e3-42671c693d0d

## Job description

CIC is seeking a strategic, operationally strong, and internationally minded HR Director to support our growing operations in Japan. The role could also include helping establish the HR foundation for our center in Korea in the future.

## ABOUT CIC & CIC Japan

CIC builds and connects thriving innovation communities around the world. Founded in 1999 in Cambridge, MA, we were one of the first companies to offer flexible office space and coworking. We manage a global network of innovation-focused workspace, laboratories, and event space across North America, Europe, and Asia, and continue to expand globally. Additionally, CIC’s consulting division “CIC Catalyst” provides innovation-related programs, builds and enables innovation districts for cities, and supports startups and companies on their innovation. CIC Japan operates 3 innovation campuses, Tokyo, Fukuoka and Osaka. CIC Tokyo, our first site in Asia, is a pioneer and market-leading innovation center in Japan. Opened in 2020, it has a total area of ​​about 6,000 square meters on two floors of the Toranomon Hills Business Tower. In 2025, we launched CIC Fukuoka in the Tenjin district of the Fukuoka city center. This spring, we launched Osaka Life Science Nexus (O-Nexus) as CIC Japan’s first sector-focused campus. O-Nexus is a key element of Nakanoshima Qross, Japan’s leading life science cluster with a purpose of industrializing future medical care, by bringing together researchers, medical institutions, companies, startups, and support organizations under one roof. CIC Japan has spearheaded the global growth of the consulting division CIC Catalyst on a variety of acceleration programs and consulting projects. Many of the CIC clients and program participants are deep-tech focused and looking to global expansion. Because of its influence in the startup and innovation ecosystem, CIC campuses have frequent visits of VIPs such as Prime Minister Kishida, Governor Koike, Governor Hattori, and other business leaders in Japan. Learn more about us here.

## YOUR DAY-TO-DAY WORK

This role is a key partner to local leadership and employees, balancing strong local execution with alignment to CIC's global HR standards. The HR Director oversees a broad remit spanning organizational effectiveness, workforce planning, talent acquisition, leadership coaching, performance management, compensation, employee relations, and regional HR coordination as we expand in Asia beyond Japan. It is a highly collaborative and visible role requiring strong judgment, discretion, and comfort operating in an international, matrixed environment. The HR Director sits on the Japan leadership team and works closely with CIC's global HR team. Your most important responsibilities will include: Strategic HR Partnership - Partnering with leaders in Japan and Korea to set direction and action plans that enable business growth. Talent Acquisition - Working with hiring managers to execute recruitment aligned with business needs and workforce plans, supported by CIC's global Talent Acquisition team to ensure consistent standards across regions. Leadership Coaching - Coachinh managers on leadership effectiveness and people management — goal setting, individual and team development, communication, and feedback. Performance Management, Compensation & HR Operations - Overseeing key people processes including performance management, compensation review cycles, payroll oversight, and HR policy implementation. Employee Relations & Labor Management - Leading employee relations and labor matters within the Japanese labor law environment, with professionalism and sound judgment. HR Analytics, Reporting & Executive Partnership - Partnering with local and global stakeholders on workforce reporting, HR analytics, and organizational planning — preparing leadership updates, supporting headcount and budgeting discussions, and enabling informed organizational decisions. Partner & Stakeholder Alignment - Supporting each campus's General Manager in productive conversations with the owner on HR alignment and organizational topics. Regional HR Team Collaboration - Working in close partnership with the existing Japan HR team — the Talent Acquisition Lead (Japan) and People Operations Lead for Payroll, Benefits and HR Systems (Japan) — and support establishing the HR function for the future Korea campus.

## ABOUT YOU

You are an experienced HR leader who brings strong business judgment, operational discipline, and maturity to navigate complex organizational environments. As an ideal candidate you are both strategic and hands-on — able to build trusted relationships with leaders and navigate complex situations with confidence.

## YOU HAVE

7+ years of progressive HR experience, ideally within international, matrixed, or fast-paced organizations. Strong knowledge of Japanese labor law and employee relations practices is essential, along with demonstrated experience handling sensitive organizational and workforce matters. Fluency in Japanese and strong professional English communication skills are required. Working experience with work rules (shugyo kisoku), industrial physicians and mental health support. Experience supporting regional or multi-country operations is strongly preferred, and exposure to Korea or broader Asia HR environments would be an advantage.

## OUR OFFER

Competitive salary, commensurate with experience. 6-month contractor engagement, with transition to a permanent contract. Commuting / Transportation allowance. Massage session once a month. Allocated budget for training (customized to specific requirements of the role and organization's objectives) Retirement allowance after successfully passing the probation period. Please submit your application in English. Thank you!

## WHO WE ARE

At CIC, our values aren't a poster on the wall - they shape how we work, how we hire, and how we show up for each other every day. You'll hear about them throughout our recruitment process: We are good humans — respect, kindness, and accountability in every interaction We are happy to help — we step forward with care, energy, and pride in our work We are problem solvers — curious, growth-minded, and always looking for a better way We are resilient — steady under pressure and adaptable in the face of change We deliver — dependable and results-driven, balancing speed with quality.

CIC welcomes all candidates regardless of race, color, ancestry, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status or disability. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer Special notes regarding measures against indoor secondhand smoke. Designated smoking room & heated Tobacco room are available within office building.

## About CIC

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center) is a global leader in providing innovation campuses, coworking spaces, wet labs, and ecosystem-building programs for startups, scale-ups, corporations, and public entities.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Privately Held) – $68.7M total funding across 3 rounds.
- **Headquarters**: Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
- **Founded**: 1999
- **Founders**: Tim Rowe (Founder & Chairman)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Real Estate (Innovation Workspace & Lab Space), Innovation Ecosystem Services, District Consulting, Event Programming
- **Target customers**: Startups, scale-ups, corporations, government/universities, and entrepreneurs (B2B, B2G)
- **Mission or purpose statement**: “To create the best possible environment and programming to enable startups, scale-ups, corporations, and public entities to tackle the biggest local and global challenges while fostering growth and connection.” [cic.com](https://cic.com/about/)

## Products & Services
- **Workspace**: Coworking spaces, private offices, bookable conference rooms, and hybrid solutions across 1.5M sq ft in North America, Europe, and Asia.
- **Lab Space**: Modern commercial wet labs with full equipment and benching, tailored for life science and biotech startups.
- **Captains of Innovation**: Consulting services for innovation district conveners, institutional leaders, corporations, and innovation teams.
- **CIC Institute**: Educational programming and resources derived from CIC’s experience to help startups level up.
- **Venture Café**: Event programming and networking – famous for the Thursday Gathering – connecting entrepreneurs.
- **Japan Desk**: Dedicated initiative to bridge Japan’s innovation ecosystem with Boston’s.
- **International Soft Landing**: Programs to help entrepreneurs go global.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed (private company)
- **Key Metric**: Total Funding $68.7M (3 rounds); manages 1.5M sq ft; served over 10,000 companies since 1999. [linkedin.com](https://linkedin.com/company/cicnow)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not explicitly listed in provided sources; funding history suggests private investors. Partners include LabCentral, MassRobotics, Mass Mobility Hub, Kendall Square Association (co-founded/chaired by Tim Rowe).
- **Growth Signals**: 229 employees (YoY +7.1%); 13 locations across 4 countries (US, Japan, Poland, Netherlands); expansion into new markets and innovation districts.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Global scale**: 1.5M sq ft of workspace and lab space across three continents; the only operator with a truly international footprint dedicated to innovation.
- **Ecosystem depth**: Not just a landlord – CIC builds programming (Venture Café, CIC Institute), consulting (Captains of Innovation), and international bridges (Japan Desk, Soft Landing).
- **Track record**: 25+ years of serving 10,000+ companies; co-founded major innovation hubs like LabCentral and MassRobotics.
- **Leadership**: Tim Rowe (MIT lecturer, BCG alum, Japanese Foreign Minister’s Award 2024); CEO Denyse Medlenka brings operational rigor from KPMG and global HR leadership.

## Strategic Focus
- **Current priorities**: Driving innovation at scale through new innovation districts, expanding lab space capacity, and deepening ecosystem consulting (CIC Catalyst). Strengthening Japan and Asia presence.
- **Direction**: Positioning as a “global leader in driving innovation at scale” – moving beyond traditional real estate into holistic ecosystem orchestration.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: “Innovators serving innovators” – diverse, creative, and mission-driven environment. Emphasis on DEIB (global DEIB Advisory Committee), employee groups for arts, sustainability, volunteerism.
- **Remote/Hybrid/Office**: Flexible work arrangements where business needs and role nature allow; on-site roles available in multiple locations (Cambridge, Tokyo, Warsaw, Rotterdam, St. Louis, Philadelphia).
- **Perks & Benefits**: Comprehensive health/dental/life/disability insurance; retirement savings; company-paid parental leave; generous PTO; commuter benefits; wellness programs; fitness subsidies; stocked kitchens with inclusive snacks; gender-neutral restrooms; accessible showers; bike parking; game rooms, makerspaces, recording studios.
- **Professional Growth**: Formal and informal L&D, internal mobility, regular performance conversations, organizational transparency, access to a network of 10,000+ innovators.
- **Culture highlights**: Open positions include General Manager, Events Coordinator, Marketing Director, Systems & Network Engineer, Project Associate & Innovation Consultant – showing a mix of global operations, tech, and community roles. [jobs.lever.co](https://jobs.lever.co/cic)

## Sources
1. [CIC About Page](https://cic.com/about/)
2. [CIC Careers Page](https://cic.com/careers/)
3. [CIC LinkedIn](https://linkedin.com/company/cicnow)
4. [CIC Job Listings on Lever](https://jobs.lever.co/cic)
5. [Built In CIC Profile](https://builtin.com/company/cic-cambridge-innovation-center)

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