Associate Director HR Operational Excellence

Kyndryl Inc.; Bengaluru; Hybrid; INR 4,000,000 - 7,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Kyndryl Inc. in Bengaluru, India, seeks a Senior Transformation Leader to drive global payroll and HR service delivery initiatives, champion automation and AI-driven solutions, and manage governance across regions.

You will partner with HR, Finance and IT to ensure process excellence, compliance, and measurable improvements, while guiding senior leadership on strategic payroll and HR initiatives.

Qualifications

• MBA with 15 years of experience.
• Agile & Continuous Improvement mindset with Six Sigma Black Belt, CCMP, PMP or RPA certification.
• A change agent capable of improving global processes and adherence to best practices.
• Adapt AI skills and technologies to drive automation and efficiency.
• Strong communication and training skills for vendors and stakeholders.
• Hands-on ability to design and write policies, procedures and job aids.
• Educate teams on new payroll processes and technologies to ensure adoption.
• Payroll compliance & risk management across global, regional and local laws.
• Implement internal controls and audits to mitigate compliance risks.
• Implement forensic payroll audits to identify fraud risks.
• Data security & privacy adherence to GDPR, SOC 1, ISO 27001, and related standards.
• Lead adoption of cloud-based HR solutions and automation.
• Track SLAs, KPIs, data analytics and process excellence.

Responsibilities

• Drive strategic initiatives across global payroll and HR service delivery.
• Lead transformation programs and optimize processes through automation and governance.
• Execute a global transformation roadmap for payroll and HR services.
• Lead large-scale change management to modernize processes and systems.
• Partner with technology teams to implement automation, AI, and digital payroll solutions.
• Establish and monitor KPIs, SLAs, and quality standards for payroll/HR delivery.
• Drive continuous improvement using Lean Six Sigma or similar methods.
• Ensure compliance with global regulatory requirements and internal governance.
• Engage HR, Finance, IT and regional teams for seamless process integration.
• Serve as trusted advisor to senior leadership on payroll and HR operational strategies.
• Oversee risk management frameworks for payroll and HR services.

Skills

Agile

Six Sigma Black Belt

CCMP

PMP

RPA Certification

Change management

Automation

AI / data analytics

Communication skills

Policy writing

Payroll knowledge

Education

MBA

Tools

Cloud HR platforms

Job description

Who We Are

At Kyndryl, we run and reimagine the mission-critical technology systems that drive advantage for the world’s leading businesses. We are at the heart of progress; with proven expertise and a continuous flow of AI-powered insight, enabling smarter decisions, faster innovation, and a lasting competitive edge. For our people—Kyndryls—that means doing purposeful work that powers human progress. Join us and experience a flexible, supportive environment where your well-being is prioritized and your potential can thrive.

The Role

• Responsible for driving strategic initiatives that enhance efficiency, compliance, and scalability across global payroll and HR service delivery.
• This role will lead transformation programs, implement best practices, and ensure operational excellence through process optimization, automation, and stakeholder engagement.
• Global Transformation & Strategy-Execute to a global transformation roadmap for payroll and HR services aligned with organizational goals.
• Lead large-scale change management initiatives to modernize processes and systems.
• Partner with technology teams to implement automation, AI, and digital solutions for payroll.
• Operational Excellence-Establish and monitor KPIs, SLAs, and quality standards for payroll and HR service delivery.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Six Sigma or similar methodologies.
• Ensure compliance with global regulatory requirements and internal governance standards.
• Stakeholder Management-Collaborate with HR, Finance, IT, and regional teams to ensure seamless integration of processes.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on payroll and HR operational strategies.
• Risk & Compliance-Oversee risk management frameworks for payroll and HR services.

Your Future at Kyndryl

The career path ahead is full of exciting opportunities to grow and advance within the job family. With dedication and hard work, you can climb the ladder to higher bands, achieving coveted positions such as Principal Engineer or Vice President of Software. These roles not only offer the chance to inspire and innovate, but also bring with them a sense of pride and accomplishment for having reached the pinnacle of your career in the software industry.

Who You Are

You’re good at what you do and possess the required experience to prove it. However, equally as important – you have a growth mindset; keen to drive your own personal and professional development. You are customer-focused – someone who prioritizes customer success in their work. And finally, you’re open and borderless – naturally inclusive in how you work with others.

Required Skills and Experience

• MBA with 15 years of experience
• Agile & Continuous Improvement Mindset: Six Sigma Black Belt Certification, Change Management Professional (CCMP), Project management (PMP) or RPA Certification
• A change agent: Adopting and implementing strategies to improve adherence to global processes including having knowledge of industry best practices.
• Adapt AI skills and technologies to drive automation and efficiency.
• Communication & Training: Excellent written and verbal communication to effectively interact with vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Hands On ability to design and write policies, procedures and job aid documentation.
• Educate teams on new payroll processes and technologies to ensure adoption.
• Payroll Compliance & Risk Management: Stay updated on global, regional, and local payroll laws to ensure compliance.
• Implement internal controls and audits to mitigate compliance risks.
• Implement forensic payroll audits to identify fraud risks.
• Data Security & Privacy: Ensure payroll data adheres to GDPR, SOC 1, ISO 27001, and other security roles/standards and organizational guidelines.
• Technology and Automation: Lead the adoption of cloud-based HR solutions.
• SLAs & KPIs and Data Analytics: Track accuracy, efficiency, cycle times, employee experience and compliance.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Excellent Communication skills

What You Can Expect

Your career with us isn’t just a job—it’s an adventure with purpose. We offer a dynamic, hybrid-friendly culture that supports your well-being and empowers you to grow. Our Be Well programs are thoughtfully designed to support your financial, mental, physical, and social health—because we know that when you feel your best, you do your best. From your very first day, you’ll dive into impactful work that powers the systems our customers rely on daily. You won’t just contribute—you’ll make a difference, tackling meaningful projects that sharpen your skills and fuel your growth. We’re here to champion your journey. With powerful tools to chart your career path, personalized development goals aligned with your ambitions, and continuous feedback to keep you inspired and on track you’ll have everything you need to thrive and evolve. You’ll develop in-demand skills to grow your career and achieve your ambitions with access to cutting‑edge learning opportunities—from certifications with Microsoft, Google, and Amazon to coaching and hands‑on experiences. And through it all, you’ll be part of a culture that values empathy, restless learning, and a devotion to shared success. We want you to thrive here—and we’re committed to helping you do just that.

At Kyndryl, we achieve progress the world depends on, with purpose. Beginning with the purpose that matters to you. Because here, you will be part of a culture designed with purpose. One that is restless, empathetic and devoted. Where we are committed to sustainable progress for our customers and supporting the communities where we work and live. All of you is what we want. And what we need. Join us, and together, we can advance the vital systems that power human progress.