Charlene Koh

I am an experienced HR/IR practitioner with over 17 years of experience in broad spectrum of HR with focus on employee relations, employee engagement, learning and development and talent acquisition. Well versed in local employment legislation. Possess strong interpersonal skills with ability to influence and build relationships across all levels.

Principal Specialist                                                                        Nov 2021 – Sept 2022

• HRBP for over 200 employees and worked closely with line department on business needs 
• Provided strategic advice and initiatives to drive business goals  
• Performed full suite of HR functions e.g. recruitment, manpower planning, employment relations, grievance handling, performance management, staff engagement and advisory
• Coached, supported, mentored managers in the application of HR policies and practices
• Facilitator for monthly training for Industrial Relations Officers to enhance their knowledge on Industrial Relations and Employment Law
• Team lead for new HR System to enhance system effectiveness and streamline processes

Experience and qualities gained:

• Ability to build trust and rapport with key stakeholders 

Achievement:

• Efficient implementation of recruitment exercises and turnaround time

Head, Training (Human Resources)                                            Apr 2019 –  Mar 2022

• Identified, developed and implemented relevant training programmes to meet organisational needs 
• Worked with HODs to identify key learning priorities for their departments and conducted learning needs analysis for staff 
• Reviewed existing training programmes and methodology to assess effectiveness
• In charged of, developed and executed new employees’ orientation and engagement programmes and content
• Facilitator for monthly training for Industrial Relations Officers to enhance their knowledge on Industrial Relations and Employment Law
• Advised, managed, and resolved employment disputes for union members who approached NTUC through Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM) for help
• Drove the development, testing and launch of the new HR System

Experience and qualities gained:

• Strong ability to manage multiple projects concurrently and with multiple stakeholders

Achievement:

• Developed training roadmap for new job position, Industry Training Officers to build competency 
• Introduced RPA training as part of organisation’s direction towards digital transformation
• Successful launch of new HR System which gained positive feedback from staff
• Compliments from union members from successful settlement of employment disputes at TADM

Head, Training and Development (Industrial Relations)              Mar 2015 – Mar 2019

• Spearheaded and built the Training and Development team in Industrial Relations Department 
• Conducted learning needs analysis of union staff from Industrial Relations Officers (IROs) to Executive Secretaries 
• Developed training roadmap and core competency for wholistic development of IROs
• Worked with trainers to develop relevant training programmes and content for all levels of IROs
• Oversaw the curation of content for the bi-monthly Learning Circles to ensure that IROs were kept abreast of the latest employment laws, industrial relations and national developments
• In charge of Organisation Development within the department to strengthen team culture 
• Consultant to union in insurance sector on industrial relations matters

Specialist, Financial and Professional Services Cluster (concurrent portfolio)

• Conceptualized and coordinated the quarterly Financial Services Week, a key event involving tripartite partners e.g. MAS, WSG, IBF, ABS to uplift the skills and capabilities of employees working in or seeking to join the financial and banking industry
• Worked with banks to provide employment assistance to employees affected by restructuring and redundancy 
• Worked with unions within the cluster to outreach to the management and advocate the interest of both companies and employees 

Experience and qualities gained:

• Ability to effectively work with and manage difficult stakeholders

Achievement:

• Conceptualised and curated content for IRO Training Camp and gained reputed as “must go” training for the year

Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore

Manager (Human Resource)                                                           Sept 2011- Feb 2014

• Handled HR functions such as recruitment and selection at all levels, re-employment, manpower planning, compensation and benefits and industrial relations
• Reviewed and implementation of HR policies

Experience and qualities gained:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to relate at all levels

Achievement:

• Efficient implementation of recruitment exercises
• Review of services by corporate doctors for purpose of extension of contract
• Worked with and built rapport with union resulting in nomination from union to jointly share our labour management journey with rest of public sector

National Trades Union Congress (NTUC)

Head, Industrial Relations                                                          Nov 2010 – Aug 2011

• Mentored and supervised 9 industrial relations and administrative officers
• Oversaw the industrial relations and leadership development portfolios
• Account manager of 15 unionised companies in the manufacturing sector
• Ensured smooth running of the organisation’s daily operations
• Charted organisation’s strategic directions in conjunction with senior management

Experience and qualities gained:

• Supervisory and leadership skills

Achievement:

• Spearheaded structured training programme for new officers.

Principal Industrial Relations Officer                                           April 08 – Oct 2010

• Account manager of 24 unionised companies in the electronics industry
• Handled wide spectrum of employee relations matters such as collective bargaining, performance management, compensation and benefits and disciplinary issues
• Partnered company HR and business leaders of diverse nationalities in providing solutions for the company
• Coached and supervised new and junior colleagues
• Team leader for numerous projects such as corporate planning and dinner and dance
• In-charge of and drove initiatives related to work life balance, community services, re-employment of older workers and outreach to professional, managers and executives (PMEs)
• Organised social activities to foster bonding amongst union members

Experience and qualities gained:

• Possess an analytical mind with strong problem-solving skills
• Ability to multitask and work under pressure
• Possess leadership skills
• Excellent knowledge of the Singapore employment legislation, HR practices and tripartite initiatives

Achievements:

• Turned confrontational labour relationship to positive and cordial relationship
• The only Singapore representative nominated to attend the International Metal Federation meeting, held in Frankfurt in 2009, to share and exchange views with counter-parts
• Supervised the organizing of high level events involving CEOs/ Managing Directors and ministers
• Led the production of the union’s corporate video and publication
• Constant achiever with appraisal ratings of “exceeds expectations” and was promoted twice in 2 years

Senior Industrial Relations Officer                                  July 2006- March 2008

• Responsible for 24 unionised companies in the electronics industry
• Main lead in the union’s corporate communications and publicity, women and community portfolios and outreach to PME
• Championed women-back-to-work programme, worklife harmony programme, training, productivity improvements and re-employment of older workers

Experience and qualities gained:

• Ability to think strategically to achieve results
• Had the perseverance and resilience needed to face and overcome challenges
• Possessed excellent event organising skills

Achievements:

• Represented Singapore to attend the International Metal Federation meeting, held in Hong Kong in 2007 to share and exchange views with counter-parts
• In charge of implementing online membership portal on the union’s website
• Increased union membership by 2000 within a year
• Concluded an average of 5 collective agreements yearly

Industrial Relations Officer                                                 Feb 2005- June 2006

• In-charged of 22 unionised companies in the electronics industry
• In-charged of the union’s communications and publicity and the women and community portfolios

Experience and qualities gained:

• Developed good communication skills and ability to relate to people at all levels
• Able to think and work independently as well as in a team

Achievements:

• Organised and led a group of over 20 union leaders for an exchange programme in Thailand
• Increased viewership and frequency of visit to corporate website

Bachelor of Social Science (Sociology): B. Soc Sci (Honors), July 2004               

National University of Singapore 

Professional Diploma in Employment Relations, 2006

(OTC Institute- NUS Extension)