Director, Human Resources – Mergers & Acquisitions Focus

James Douglas; Hyderabad; On-site; INR 4,000,000 - 7,000,000; Full time

Job summary

James Douglas seeks a Director of Human Resources with a strong M&A focus to lead strategic HR initiatives and integration efforts across multiple units in a global, fast‑paced environment. Reporting to the VP of HR, the role emphasizes due diligence, organizational design, and culture alignment during transactions.

The ideal candidate will have 15+ years in HR, including at least 5 years in a leadership capacity, and a Master’s or MBA.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in progressive HR roles with leadership experience
• Direct involvement in multiple M&A transactions from due diligence to post-merger integration
• Strong project management and cross-functional collaboration skills

Responsibilities

• Lead HR initiatives with emphasis on M&A activities
• Develop and execute integration plans covering talent retention, communications, change management
• Provide strategic HR leadership to executives and guide workforce planning across units

Skills

M&A experience

HR leadership

Change management

Due diligence

Stakeholder management

Education

Master's degree or MBA

Job description

Director, Human Resources – Mergers & Acquisitions Focus

About this role

Job Title: Director, Human Resources – Mergers & Acquisitions Focus

Department: Human Resources

Reports To: Vice President, Human Resources

Location: Hyderabad

Experience Level: 15+ Years in HR, with M&A integration experience.

Employment Type: Full-time

Position Summary: We are seeking a seasoned Director of Human Resources to lead strategic HR initiatives with a strong emphasis on Merger & Acquisition (M&A) activities. This role requires a deep understanding of HR integration strategies, due diligence, and change management in fast-paced, complex business environments. Reporting to the VP of HR, the Director will play a critical role in aligning people strategies with business growth, particularly through M&A efforts, while also driving day-to-day HR leadership across assigned business units.

Key Responsibilities: Mergers & Acquisitions (50%)

• Partner with Corporate Development, Legal, Finance, and Executive teams to assess people risks and HR implications during M&A activities.
• Lead HR due diligence processes, assessing organizational structure, compensation, benefits, labor relations, employment contracts, and cultural compatibility.
• Develop and execute comprehensive integration plans covering talent retention, employee communications, change management, and organizational design.
• Conduct workforce assessments, skill gap analysis, and assist in decisions on role alignment and redundancies.
• Serve as the key point of contact for HR-related M&A activities post-close, ensuring smooth transitions and synergy realization.

Strategic HR Leadership (50%)

• Serve as a senior HR business partner to executive leadership, guiding talent strategy, succession planning, and workforce planning.
• Champion organizational culture and leadership development initiatives aligned with long-term business objectives.
• Drive change management initiatives, particularly during high-growth, restructuring, or transformation periods.
• Oversee performance management, compensation strategy, and employee engagement across multiple business units or geographies.
• Lead and mentor HR teams and COEs (Centres of Excellence) to deliver consistent, scalable HR solutions across the organisation.

Qualifications:

Education: Master’s degree or MBA preferred.

Experience:

• 15+ years in progressive HR roles, with at least 5 years at the leadership level
• Direct involvement in multiple M&A transactions – from due diligence through post-merger integration.
• Demonstrated success in building and scaling HR functions during periods of rapid growth or change.
• Experience working in matrixed, global organizations is highly desirable.
• Deep knowledge of employment law, compensation structures, and global HR practices.
• Strong project management and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management capabilities.
• High emotional intelligence and cultural sensitivity, especially during integrations.
• Ability to analyze data and present insights to support decision-making.