55 per cent of HR Directors in Singapore say change management will play a bigger role in the next five years

  • 44 per cent of HRDs in Asia and 55 per cent of HRDs in Singapore expect designing and managing organisational change to become a bigger part of their role over the next five years. 

  • Stakeholder engagement has overtaken strategic planning as the most critical skill for success, cited by 54 per cent of respondents in Singapore. 

  • Organisational politics remains the top hurdle for 44 per cent of HRDs in Singapore, while 32 per cent report difficulty finding opportunities for career growth. 

  • Uniquely, 40 per cent of HRDs in Singapore were happy to remain in their current post, the highest proportion in Asia. 

 

Singapore, 15 January 2026 - New research from Hays reveals that Human Resource Directors (HRDs) across Asia are evolving into strategic change leaders, moving beyond compliance to become catalysts for organisational transformation. 

The DNA of a HRD report, based on 271 interviews with senior HR professionals across China, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore, highlights a decisive shift in priorities and skills shaping the modern HRD. 

 

HRDs embrace change and influence face their own barriers to growth

HRDs in Singapore are stepping into a new era of leadership, where influence and adaptability are as critical as technical expertise. 44 per cent of HRDs in Asia and 55 per cent of HRDs in Singapore expect designing and managing organisational change to become a bigger part of their role over the next five years. This marks a clear shift from traditional talent retention strategies to a proactive focus on transformation. 

Stakeholder engagement has emerged as the most essential skill for success, cited by 49 per cent of respondents in Asia, a notable rise from 43 per cent in 2017 and overtaking strategic planning as a critical skill for the role. Commercial acumen follows closely behind at 39 per cent, and remains a top skill required by candidates aspiring to the role. HRDs in Singapore tracked similarly, with 54 per cent of HRDs citing stakeholder engagement as a key skill, versus 47 per cent for commercial acumen. 

Pauline Loo, Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Nippon Sanso Holdings Singapore who we interviewed as part of this survey expands on the need to communicate with stakeholders effectively. “You can communicate all day, but if your team doesn’t align with the vision, it’s meaningless. Storytelling helps people connect with purpose.” 

Despite these advancements, challenges remain. Organisational politics continues to be the most common barrier, reported by 37 per cent of HRDs in Singapore, while 19 per cent of professionals cite a lack of opportunity for career progression. To stay ahead, HRDs are doubling down on professional development: 62 per cent keep up to date with industry and legislative changes, and 53 per cent attend networking events. Digital platforms play a pivotal role in this effort, with LinkedIn continuing to be the dominant networking channel (92 per cent). 

 

Tom Osborne Managing Director at Hays Southeast Asia

“HR leaders today face rapid change and rising expectations. Success lies in blending adaptability with commercial insight and strategic foresight, turning uncertainty into opportunity and shaping transformation that drives performance. This is a moment for HRDs to step forward as true business partners.” 

“To thrive, HR leaders are going beyond traditional HR functions and embracing a broader mandate. The best HRDs today understand the organisation’s financial drivers, can anticipate future skill needs, and contribute towards strategies that balance business priorities with employee wellbeing.” 

“For aspiring candidates to the role, cultivating strong stakeholder relationships and mastering the art of aligning business goals with people strategies will open doors. These capabilities not only strengthen organisational outcomes but also pave the way for a rewarding leadership journey. The next generation of successful HRDs will be those who combine empathy with commercial clarity.” 

 

Singapore: Balancing stability and wellbeing in HR’s top role

Unique to most of Asia, where HR Directors show strong appetite for upward mobility, 40 per cent of HRDs in Singapore say they are happy to remain in their current post, the highest proportion in Asia. This contrasts with 25 per cent who aspire to a bigger HR role and 8 per cent who express interest in starting their own business. 

This preference for stability reflects broader trends in Singapore’s workforce. A recent Hays survey found that 75 per cent of professionals had not made a change in their career in the last 12 months, the lowest rate across Asia. Further analysis found that 68 per cent of professionals in Singapore are currently satisfied with their jobs while 71 per cent report being content with their work-life balance. 

Wellbeing is also emerging as a defining priority for HR leadership. As Sarah Yoko Mckensey, Global Human Resources Leader at Saison International notes: “We spend most of our energy at work. We have a responsibility to make that experience healthy and sustainable.”

 

A copy of the DNA of a HRD report now available

 

For more information contact:

Sonel Singh, Head of Marketing, Hays Southeast Asia
T: +60 3 7890 6351
E: sonel.singh@hays.com.my

 

About Hays Singapore

Hays Specialist Recruitment Pte Ltd, Singapore ("Hays Singapore") is one of Singapore's leading recruitment companies in recruiting qualified, professional, and skilled people across a wide range of industries and professions.  

Hays has been in Singapore for over a decade and boasts a track record of success and growth. We operate across the private and public sector, dealing in permanent and contract positions, and workforce solutions such as recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) in the following specialisms: Accountancy & Finance, Banking & Financial Services, Engineering, Human Resources, Legal, Life Sciences, Marketing & Digital, Office Professionals, Procurement, Supply Chain, Sales and Technology. We continue to strengthen our position in Asia with the world-leading ISO 9001:2015 certification in all our operational markets including Singapore, China, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Malaysia. 

 

About Hays 

Hays plc (the "Group") is the world’s leading specialist in recruitment and workforce solutions. The Group is the expert at recruiting qualified, professional, and skilled people worldwide, being the market leader in the UK, Germany, and Australia and one of the market leaders in Continental Europe, Latin America, and Asia. The Group operates across the private and public sectors, dealing in permanent positions, contract roles and temporary assignments. As of 30 June 2025, the Group employed over 9,500 staff operating from 207 offices in 31 countries. For the year ended 30 June 2025: 

  • the Group reported net fees of £972.4 million and operating profit of £45.6 million. 

  • the Group placed around 46,400 candidates into permanent jobs and around 211,500 people into temporary roles. 

  • 12% of Group net fees were generated in Australia & New Zealand, 32% in Germany, 20% in United Kingdom & Ireland and 36% in Rest of World (RoW). 

  • the temporary placement business represented 62% of net fees and the permanent placement business represented 38% of net fees. 

  • Technology is the Group’s largest division, with 25% of net fees, while Accountancy & Finance (15%), Engineering (11%) and Construction & Property (11%), are the next largest. 

  • Hays operates in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, UAE, the UK, and the USA.