ExecutiveFull TimeEN
Human Resources Director - South Korea
ABOUT ARAMARK KOREA
Aramark is a global leader in food services and facilities management, operating across 17 countries. In Korea, ARAKOR Co., Ltd. has served clients for over 30 years — today operating 300 sites nationwide, serving approximately 130,000 meals daily, employing ~1,700 people. Historically centered on Business Dining, Aramark Korea is now entering a focused new growth chapter — strengthening its people foundations and selectively expanding into Sports & Entertainment, concessions, and venue-based food services. This evolution calls for stronger HR leadership, operating discipline, and a renewed commitment to culture.
THE OPPORTUNITY
This is the most senior HR role in Korea — a hands-on country HR leadership position, not a corporate policy function. As a full member of the Korea Country Management Team, you will be a trusted strategic partner to the Country President and functional leaders, helping shape the future of a long-established business in a pivotal moment of growth.
You will lead the evolution of HR in Korea from an operational model toward a genuine business partner function — building the foundations for sustainable growth while navigating the complexity of a frontline, multi-site, service environment with care, rigor, and cultural intelligence.
Strategic Business Partnering
• Partner with the Korea leadership team as a trusted advisor on workforce strategy, people risk, and organizational capability
• Provide sound judgment, insight, and thoughtful challenge to support business decisions
Organizational Foundations & Workforce Planning
• Strengthen org structures, role clarity, and workforce planning in a lean, frontline environment
• Lead people-centered change initiatives and proactively identify and mitigate workforce risk
Talent, Succession & Leadership Development
• Own Korea's talent and succession strategy, with a focus on building internal bench strength and pipeline
• Improve hiring quality, onboarding effectiveness, and leadership capability across the organization
Employee Relations & Korean Labor Compliance
• Lead employee relations with consistency, fairness, and sound judgment, in full compliance with Korean labor law (LSA, EEOA, FHPA, and related regulations)
• Serve as the internal expert on Korean employment law, risk management, and compliant HR practice
Reward, Performance & Engagement
• Implement competitive, market-aligned reward practices that balance local norms with global frameworks
• Drive performance management practices that reinforce accountability, development, and a high-standards culture
• Translate employee engagement data into tangible leadership actions that improve retention and experience
HR Operations & Growth Readiness
• Simplify and standardize HR processes in a lean team environment, using workforce data to inform decisions
• Partner effectively with Global HR Centers of Expertise to localize and execute global frameworks
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
We are seeking a senior HR professional with deep experience in South Korea — a pragmatic, credible leader who understands how frontline service businesses operate and who can build trust at every level of an organization.
Professional Experience
• Substantial senior HR leadership experience in South Korea, including strong working knowledge of Korean labor law and employment compliance
• Background in frontline, service-led, multi-site environments — such as food service, hospitality, retail, facilities, or contract services — is strongly valued
• Experience working within global, matrixed organizations, partnering with HR Centers of Expertise or shared services
• Prior HR Director or Head of HR experience preferred; leadership-ready professionals with relevant experience are also welcomed
Leadership & Working Style
• Commercial and pragmatic — understands the business, not just the HR function
• Comfortable as a player-coach in a lean team; low-ego and credible with senior leaders and frontline managers alike
• Strong judgment, courage, and composure in ambiguous or complex situations
• Passionate about building culture, developing leaders, and growing internal talent
• Able to balance immediate execution needs with a longer-term roadmap for HR maturity
Language & Location
• Fluent Korean (written and spoken) and strong business-level English
• Based in Seoul, with regular on-site presence across operations throughout Korea
• Experience in international or multicultural work environments is strongly valued
A NOTE ON CULTURE & WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Aramark Korea values a workplace grounded in mutual respect, clear accountability, and long-term relationships — principles deeply aligned with Korean professional culture. We believe that strong organizations are built through trust between leaders and their teams, and that HR plays a central role in sustaining that trust.
The successful candidate will bring cultural fluency and an appreciation for the nuances of working in a Korean business environment within a global company — navigating the balance between local context and international standards with care and confidence.
Our Mission
Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet.
At Aramark, we believe that every employee should enjoy equal employment opportunity and be free to participate in all aspects of the company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by applicable law.
About Aramark
The people of Aramark proudly serve millions of guests every day through food and facilities in 15 countries around the world. Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet. We believe a career should develop your talents, fuel your passions, and empower your professional growth. So, no matter what you're pursuing - a new challenge, a sense of belonging, or just a great place to work - our focus is helping you reach your full potential. Learn more about working here at http://www.aramarkcareers.com or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
