Founded in Japan in 1887, Kao is passionate about making a difference in people’s lives with our high-quality products and services to create a Kirei Life for all – a beautiful life that respects the needs of our consumers and customers as well as the planet. We never compromise on quality and craft our products with care for the consumer and the environment. As a company driven by purpose and strong corporate values, we pride ourselves to be listed among the World´s Most Ethical Companies since 16 consecutive years. Our corporate philosophy, the Kao Way, guides us in everything we do – acting with integrity, courageously driving innovation, and treating each other with trust and respect.
The Role:
Leads and delivers Kao’s DE&I and Wellbeing strategy, aligning closely with Global and Regional priorities. In a matrix environment, ensures initiatives are impactful, legally compliant, and culturally relevant across countries and functions.
Provides strategic leadership and governance to foster an inclusive culture, acting as a key bridge between regional and global efforts. A hands-on role, driving execution while driving cross-regional initiatives and harmonization.
Member of the EMEA HR Leadership Team, reporting to the VP HCD EMEA.
What you will do:
Strategy and Alignment
- Lead the development and execution of the DE&I and Wellbeing strategy, ensuring alignment with Kao’s global and local DE&I and Wellbeing vision, ESG framework, corporate philosophy, and business priorities.
- Translate the overarching strategy into actionable regional plans that reflect local cultural, legislative, and operational contexts within a matrix organisational structure.
- Act as a subject matter expert, advising colleagues and senior leaders on all aspects of DE&I and employee Wellbeing.
- Co-lead Kao’s Global Ambassadors Programme, including shaping shared initiatives, defining common goals, and strengthening ambassador capability through targeted upskilling.
- Monitor and provide guidance on DE&I and Wellbeing-related legislation and regulatory developments across EMEA countries and business, and ways of working.
Governance and Reporting
- Partner with HR, Legal, and Compliance teams to embed DE&I principles into policies, governance frameworks, and risk mitigation activities.
- Chair the EMEA DE&I Steering Board and oversee the regional governance framework, coordinating closely with global, regional, and local stakeholders across sectors and functions.
- Support internal and external reporting related to DE&I and Wellbeing activities, including regulatory and sustainability disclosures (for example, CSRD and the Kao Sustainability Report).
- Produce clear and insightful executive reports for EMEA leadership, global headquarters, and local leadership teams.
Culture and Awareness
- Actively support Kao DE&I Communities (ERGs) across EMEA to empower grassroots initiatives aligned with the broader DE&I and Wellbeing strategy and global ESG objectives.
- Lead regional awareness campaigns, events, and townhalls that reflect region and country - specific themes, cultures, and regulatory contexts.
- Foster a culture of belonging through sustained engagement, capability building, and close partnership with local leadership teams.
Communications and Employer Branding
- Collaborate closely with the Kao Communications team to strengthen employer branding and support the promotion and embedding of DE&I programmes and initiatives.
- Support the Communications team in developing inclusive DE&I messaging for both internal and external audiences.
- Establish and maintain strategic external partnerships to enhance Kao’s DE&I positioning, and benchmark organisational performance.
Data and Insights
- Oversee the EMEA DE&I diversity data strategy, ensuring local data governance, country-specific compliance, and close collaboration with People Analytics.
- Own and report on diversity metrics and insights, supporting EMEA representation goals and identifying regional trends and targeted intervention opportunities.
Engagement Activities
- Support the implementation of the annual Employee Engagement Survey, leading effective cross-functional and cross-country collaboration with key stakeholders, including HR, Legal, and local leadership.
- Contribute to the analysis of results and serve as a key point of contact for local HR Business Partners coordinating engagement survey outcomes and follow-up actions.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
- Lead regional mental health and wellbeing initiatives, ensuring alignment with DE&I principles and the promotion of psychological safety.
- Drive awareness campaigns focused on stigma reduction, inclusive support systems, and culturally competent approaches across the region.
DE&I Learning and Development
- Design and implement a comprehensive EMEA DE&I and Wellbeing learning strategy aligned with business priorities, including measuring learning effectiveness and behavioural impact.
- Embed DE&I considerations into core talent programmes, including leadership development, performance management, and succession planning.
Equitable Policies and Processes - Review and enhance HR policies and talent processes through an equity lens, including recruitment, promotion, performance management, reward, and flexible working practices.
- Partner closely with Talent Acquisition and HR Business Partners to ensure policies and processes are inclusive, compliant, and future-focused by identifying systemic barriers and recommending evidence-based interventions.
What you will need:
- Masters / Bachelors or equivalent in HR or related subjects
- A minimum of 7 years international experience as a subject matter expert on DE&I in a professional environment, preferably in house
- A genuine passion for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Mental Health and Well-Being working in a company focused on sustainability
- Experience in operating effectively in a senior Diversity, Equity and Inclusion role covering the UK and at least one other European market (ie Germany, Netherlands)
- Experience working with corporate and employees in front-line, field or production employees
- Curiosity; to drive and to challenge the status quo and help us take meaningful action
- Energy and patience to impact positive cultural change
- Ability to positively engage business stakeholders with a clear focus on engaging with people of different cultures, age groups and backgrounds and a high number of employees whose first language is not English
- A clear focus on key results and measures of success
- Ability to influence, coach and mentor
- Strong organizational skills and high accuracy with numbers
- Good digital skills (i.e. MS Teams, Microsoft Office 365)
- An interest in working in a friendly and supportive multi-national HR team partnering closely with our HR Business Partners and business leaders
- Self-motivation, a business and growth mind-set and influencing skills with an analytical and organized approach
- Fluent English. Other European languages, especially German or Dutch desirable but not essential
- Resilience and a hands-on approach with a good sense of humour
How we work: Having been selected among the World´s Most Ethical Companies for 16 consecutive years, we are a company with a purpose and strong corporate values. We never compromise on quality and craft our products with care for the consumer and the environment. At Kao, each employee can actively shape their job and their career. We work collaboratively to achieve our common goals, always aiming to deliver the best for our customers.
What we offer: A friendly and flexible work environment with competitive salaries, benefits package, ongoing development and the opportunity to enhance your skills and deliver tangible results. At Kao your voice will be heard. Your opinion really counts. We believe that change comes from taking opportunities into your own hands, so we value and reward entrepreneurial thinking and innovation.
Hiring Process: Kao embraces the diversity and the individual personalities of its people because we believe it is diversity that makes us strong. This is why we welcome applications from all areas of the global community.
Want to learn more: If you feel you are as unique as our products and want to find out why 33,000 people across the globe opted for a career with us please visit our Americas website (https://www.kao.com/americas/en/) or EMEA website (https://www.kao.com/emea/en/)
https://www.kao.com/emea/en/privacy/
