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

  • 44 per cent of HRDs in Asia and 42 per cent of HRDs in Malaysia 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 50 per cent of respondents in Malaysia. 

  • Organisational politics remains the top hurdle for 37 per cent of HRDs in Malaysia, while 19 per cent report difficulty finding opportunities for career growth. 

  • Malaysia’s HRDs rank adaptability highly, with 45 per cent citing it as a defining trait for success, alongside a strong emphasis on resilience and collaboration. 

 

Malaysia. 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 Malaysia 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 42 per cent of HRDs in Malaysia 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 Malaysia tracked similarly, with 50 per cent of HRDs citing stakeholder engagement as a key skill, versus 36 per cent for commercial acumen. 

Despite these advancements, challenges remain. Organisational politics continues to be the most common barrier, reported by 37 per cent of HRDs in Malaysia, 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). 

 

Malaysia: Adaptability and resilience at the forefront

Malaysia’s HR leaders are navigating a fast-changing business environment where adaptability and resilience are critical. 45 per cent of HRDs in Malaysia identify adaptability as a defining characteristic for success, reflecting the need to pivot quickly amid economic uncertainty and evolving workforce expectations. Natalia Navin, who serves as Chief People Officer for POS Malaysia Berhad attests to this. 

“As an HR Director, you can’t simply follow processes, laws, or policies without considering the broader context. It’s about doing what’s right by the people while also enabling the business to succeed.” 

Resilience also ranks highly, underscoring the importance of maintaining stability while driving transformation. “When individuals feel safe, they’re more likely to take initiative, embrace risks, and take ownership of their work, leading to stronger outcomes,” she adds. 

 

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.” 

 

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 Malaysia 

Agensi Pekerjaan Hays (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd ("Hays Malaysia") is one of the leading specialist recruitment companies in Malaysia in recruiting qualified, professional and skilled people across a wide range of industries and professions. We provide mid to senior level recruitment services across both finance and commerce industries. We have become known as the experts in sourcing regional and global candidates, as well as returning Malaysians. 

Hays has been in Malaysia since 2012 and boasts a track record of success and growth, with two operating offices located in KLCC and Sunway. At Hays in Malaysia, we operate across the private and public sector, dealing in permanent positions, and workforce solutions such as recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) in the following specialisms: Accountancy & Finance, Banking & Financial Services, Construction, Engineering, Human Resources, Insurance, Legal, Life Sciences, Marketing & Digital, 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 Malaysia, China, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Singapore. 

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.