Director, Talent Development & Inclusion (APAC)

WD is building the infrastructure behind the AI-driven data economy. As AI scales, so does data. Every interaction, every model, every system generates data that must be stored, managed, and made accessible over time. That’s where we come in. We combine deep engineering expertise with global-scale manufacturing to deliver the storage systems that make AI possible, powering hyperscale data centers, cloud platforms, and enterprise infrastructure worldwide. This isn’t theoretical work. It’s real systems, at real scale, people solving some of the hardest challenges in technology today. We’re looking for people who want to build, solve, and operate at that level. Join us and let’s shape the future of data. About the Role Western Digital's presence across APAC spans a diverse set of markets, cultures, and business contexts — and this role sits at the center of it all. As the Director of Talent Development and Inclusion for APAC, you will serve as the regional leader for our global Talent, Development and Inclusion function, translating enterprise strategy into locally relevant programs and that build stronger leaders, more effective managers, and more engaged drivers who can deliver for our business. You will lead a small team embedded across key APAC locations, partnering closely with HR and business leaders to deliver development experiences that reflect both global standards and regional nuance. This is a role for someone who leads with curiosity, builds trust across cultures, and knows how to turn strategy into action at scale. This position can be based in Singapore, Malaysia or Thailand. Key Responsibilities Regional Leadership & Stakeholder Partnership • Serve as the primary Talent Development and Inclusion partner for APAC, representing the function across all regional locations and serving as a trusted advisor to senior business and HR leaders. • Build strong, credible relationships with HR team members and business leaders to surface development needs, align on priorities, and co-design solutions that reflect both global direction and local context, while managing trade-offs between global frameworks and country needs • Understand global business outcomes and the workforce strategy and partner with functional learning teams, like Tech Talent Academy to upskill employees across APAC. • Act as a connector between global TD&I strategy and regional deployment — ensuring programs land with relevance, quality, and measurable impact across every APAC site and deliver outcomes (i.e., decision speed, prioritization, bench strength) Leadership & Employee Development • Partner on the design and lead the delivery of global leadership and manager development programs across APAC, ensuring initiatives are culturally relevant and equip leaders and managers with the capabilities to lead inclusively, build high-performing teams, and navigate change effectively. • Partner with regional leaders and HR to identify local development needs and implement targeted solutions, leveraging internal and external resources where appropriate. • Collaborate with functional learning teams and external partners to create integrated, locally relevant development experiences that align professional and technical skills. • Identify critical future-ready skills (including AI fluency) and deliver learning initiatives that support employee growth, career mobility, and advancement. Inclusion • Apply WD's global engagement framework across APAC locations, adapting it to be meaningful and actionable within each local market and cultural context. • Integrate inclusion into the design and delivery of all development programs across APAC, ensuring that learning experiences reflect diverse perspectives and equip leaders to build inclusive teams. • Partner with global TD&I colleagues to localize inclusion-focused initiatives and assess their resonance and effectiveness across APAC markets while staying aligned with our global strategy. Team Leadership & Capacity Management • Directly lead, coach, and develop a small team of direct reports in addition to providing leadership to dotted line TD&I team members based in APAC. Build a team culture grounded in shared ownership, continuous learning, and quality execution. • Extend team reach by cultivating a regional learning network of internal HR and business professionals and external partners who can deploy development experiences in local language with highly relevant context. • Prioritize work and allocate team resources to meet variable demand across the region; expand capacity as needed through contract learning designers or external partners. Measurement & Operational Excellence • Establish consistent methods for program delivery, measurement, and reporting across APAC — ensuring the team can demonstrate clear outcomes tied to learning investments. • Identify and leverage government-sponsored development funds — such as Ministry of Education grants and HR Development Fund programs — available by country across APAC, ensuring the team taps into external funding sources that can offset and extend investments in content development and delivery. • Use data to identify development opportunities, assess program effectiveness, and continuously improve the quality and relevance of learning experiences across the region. • Leverage technology — including LMS platforms, authoring tools, and virtual delivery tools — to curate and scale impactful experiences across a geographically distributed region. • Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in Organizational Development, Human Resources, Education, or a related field preferred • 10+ years of directly related experience in talent development, learning and development, or organizational effectiveness, including 5+ years leading people • Demonstrated experience operating across multiple APAC markets, with a strong understanding of regional cultural dynamics and how they shape leadership and development practices…