People & Culture Lead

Job description

 As we continue to grow, we are seeking a Singapore-based People & Culture lead to build and steward the people foundations that enable our impact. This is a standalone, mid-level leadership role within a lean and regionally distributed organisation. You will operate as both architect and implementer: owning essential day-to-day HR operations while progressively shaping the longer-term people and culture strategy. 

Reporting to the Head of Operations and working closely with the Executive Team, you will be a trusted adviser on organisational health, performance and culture — ensuring that our systems, practices and values scale thoughtfully alongside our programmes. 

How you will make a difference

 GFI APAC’s Operations Team underpins regional excellence by overseeing finance, human resources and legal compliance across multiple jurisdictions, while enabling our programme teams in SciTech, Policy, Corporate Engagement and Communications to focus on mission delivery. 

Within this context, you will take full ownership of the People & Culture function across a regionally distributed team. You will balance operational rigour with organisational design — ensuring compliant, well-run HR processes while building the frameworks, managerial capability and cultural practices that support a high-performing and values-driven organisation. 

This role will suit someone who values disciplined execution as much as thoughtful strategy: someone comfortable managing recruitment cycles and employee relations matters, while also developing performance frameworks, strengthening career pathways and shaping the evolution of our culture. 

You will focus on:

• Operational excellence (HR operations & compliance) 
  •  Build, systematise, own and continuously improve end-to-end HR operations in a lean, resource-constrained environment, ensuring scalability as the organisation grows. 
  • Together with the Operations Specialist, you’ll lead the full recruitment lifecycle, from workforce planning and role scoping through to offer management and structured onboarding. 
  • Develop, maintain and continuously improve country-specific employment policies within the region, while navigating differing employment regulations and cultural norms, ensuring consistency while respecting local context. 
  • Act as the primary point of contact for HR-related matters, providing sound guidance to employees and equipping managers to handle people-related issues confidently and consistently. 
  • Oversee employee relations processes, including sensitive matters and performance management, ensuring fairness, consistency and alignment with organisational values. 
• People frameworks & enablement 
  • Design, implement and continuously refine core people frameworks, such as performance management, competency models and structured learning approaches. 
  • Drive consistent adoption of these frameworks across the organisation, coaching and supporting managers to apply them effectively and fairly. 
  • Partner with department leads to translate organisational needs into tailored development plans and clear career progression pathways. 
  • Design and deliver internal workshops and training sessions, and lead the curation and coordination of learning and development initiatives to strengthen organisational capability. 
•  Culture, Engagement & Organisational development 
  • Shape and steward the organisation’s culture strategy, reviewing and evolving the team’s culture plan annually to support a positive, inclusive and high-performing environment. 
  • Design and implement feedback and recognition mechanisms that reinforce trust, accountability and professional growth. 
  • Lead the design and execution of employee engagement and satisfaction surveys, translating insights into clear, prioritised action plans in partnership with the Head of Operations and Executive Team. 
  • Proactively identify cultural or organisational friction points and implement practical interventions to strengthen cohesion, clarity and effectiveness. 
  • Plan and lead organisation-wide engagement initiatives, including the annual team retreat, ensuring alignment with cultural and strategic objectives. 

As part of a small organisation, you will also be expected to perform other duties as required within a small, agile team, and to assume an interim role in other functional areas within the Operations Team when necessary. 

Who we are looking for:

GFI APAC is a progressive, transparent and relatively flat organisation. As we continue to grow, investing in our team culture is critical to our long-term success. We are seeking a People & Culture lead who will play a central role in strengthening and sustaining our organisational culture, and who leads by example. 

Hard skills and experience

•  A recognised Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, Business Management, Psychology, Organisational Development, Industrial & Organisational Psychology, or a related discipline. 
• At least five years of relevant experience in HR management, including hands-on operational HR experience in a multi-country organisation. 
• Prior experience in a start-up, non-profit and/or remote working environment is advantageous. 
• Proven experience in designing and implementing employee engagement initiatives that strengthen organisational culture. 
• Demonstrated experience in facilitating internal workshops and delivering training sessions. 
• Strong experience in managing employee relations, handling sensitive matters and supporting performance management processes. 
• Demonstrated thought leadership in HR and/or active involvement in an HR professional community is an advantage. 
• Proficiency in Google Workspace, Asana and Slack is desirable. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with confidence in presenting to diverse audiences. 

Soft skills and attributes 

• A collaborative team player, comfortable working across a global affiliate network and engaging effectively with multicultural teams across time zones. Demonstrates sensitivity, cultural awareness and respect for diverse perspectives. 
• Leads by example by embodying and reinforcing our organisational values, and is confident in upholding cultural norms and best practices across the team. 
• A self-starter with the ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities, demonstrating strong organisational skills, attention to detail and disciplined follow-through. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with sound judgement and a structured approach to decision-making. 
• Comfortable working flexibly in a hybrid environment, including remote work and regular presence in a co-working space, within a growing and evolving organisation. 
• Strong alignment with GFI’s mission and philosophy, with a demonstrated interest in alternative proteins, public health, environmental sustainability, animal protection and/or food security. 
• A clear commitment to GFI’s core values: believing change is possible, striving for excellence, sharing knowledge openly, acting on evidence and fostering inclusivity. 

This role offers a meaningful opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven organisation at a formative stage of growth. It combines hands-on operational responsibility with the opportunity to design and embed people systems that will shape the organisation for years to come. In a small, agile team, your impact will be visible and tangible. 

We want the best people, and we don’t want biases holding us back. We strongly encourage people of every race, orientation, age, gender, origin, and ability to apply. Because we value a diverse workplace, we prioritise an inclusive climate absent from discrimination and harassment during the application process and after you join the team. 

The fine print

• Terms of Employment: Full-time
• Reports to: Head of Operations, GFI APAC 
• Location: Singapore 
• Language: Fluent in Mandarin and English
• Annual Salary: between SG$94,992 – SG$115,000 based on qualifications and experience 
• Benefits: Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid working from home and one weekly office day; flexible working hours; a competitive leave and benefits package; the opportunity to create meaningful impact; collaboration with supportive colleagues and respectful managers; and a yearly in-person retreat. 
• Application deadline: We will be assessing candidates on a rolling basis, so please apply now. Applications close on April 5, 2026. We will be assessing candidates on a rolling basis, so please apply now. Applications close on April 5, 2026. 

Application process

• Please complete this application form and upload your CV. 
• Screening call (by Impact Ops): An initial conversation for both parties to ask general questions and learn more about the role. 
• Two separate interviews with GFI APAC team members: Focused on organisational and team fit, as well as deeper expertise questions. 
• Attend an in-person work trial, where you’ll spend the day meeting the team and completing strategic assessments. 
• References: Provide referees who can comment on your strategic and operational capabilities.

Please note that this process may be adjusted if we determine that a different approach would better support the selection process. 

Any questions? If you have any questions about this role, please do reach out to us at apacjobs@gfi.org. If you’ve read this far but decided not to apply, please feel free to share this job description with someone else in your network who you think might be a good fit for the role! Thank you!