Head of Human Resources

Confidential; Chennai; On-site; INR 6,000,000 - 12,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential, headquartered in Europe, is seeking a Head of HR for India based in Chennai. You will lead the entire HR lifecycle, partnering with the India Leadership Team to translate global HR processes into local practice while ensuring compliance with local laws.

You will drive talent acquisition, payroll, performance, learning, and employee engagement across India, building a scalable structure that supports growth and aligns with global values.

Qualifications

• At least 15 years of HR experience, including 6-8 years in leadership roles.
• Experience in a global, matrixed organisation managing global stakeholders.
• End-to-end talent acquisition experience is an advantage.
• Certifications such as CIPD, SHRM, PMP, CCMP or Prosci are advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full HR lifecycle from hire to retire.
• Act as a trusted business partner to India Leadership Team on people matters.
• Drive payroll processing and statutory compliance for India.
• Drive HR analytics, AI and automation to improve outcomes.
• Develop and implement local processes aligned with global guidelines.

Skills

HR leadership

Payroll management

HR compliance

Talent management

Global stakeholders

Education

CIPD

SHRM

PMP

CCMP

Prosci

Job description

Our client is a global organisation headquartered in Europe, with a growing presence in India. This job is mandatorily based out of Chennai.

Role Purpose:

The Head of HR - India will be accountable for the client's whole HR function in India. The role will meet business needs in line with the client's global HR processes while keeping full compliance with local labour laws and HR practices. The incumbent will be a trusted HR advisor to leaders and employees across both legal entities.

Key Responsibilities:

The role leads the full HR lifecycle, from hire to retire.

Business Partnership:

• Act as a trusted business partner to the India Leadership Team on all people matters.
• Work with India leaders to build a culture that reflects the client's global values and fits local needs and practices.
• Work with local leaders and Business Line counterparts to shape an organisational structure that supports the strategy for India.
• Partner with Business Managers on business cases for new teams, then plan and carry out approved team ramp-ups.

Compliance, Governance and Risk Management:

• Lead HR compliance, governance and risk management so that people practices are effective, ethical and compliant across the employee lifecycle.
• Strengthen controls, policies and data governance across the employee lifecycle.
• Drive consistency, transparency and accountability in HR decisions.
• Manage people risks proactively and respond to changing regulations.
• Lead compliance with India's Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act.

Talent Acquisition and Staffing:

• Work with Business Managers on the overall budget, and drive a recruitment strategy that brings in the right capabilities on time.
• Lead the planned growth in headcount over the next two years.

People Processes:

• Implement and monitor local people processes in line with the client's global guidelines and local market practice. These include talent reviews, performance management, development programmes, recruitment, compensation and salary reviews.
• Develop and manage succession plans for key roles.
• Design benefits and policies that keep the organisation competitive.

Employee Retention and Engagement:

• Identify the main drivers of retention and engagement, then design and run initiatives that strengthen them.
• Drive the annual global employee engagement survey in India: launch, participation and results analysis. Then lead action planning with leaders to deliver measurable year-on-year improvement in engagement scores.

HR Service Delivery:

• Own HR service delivery in India.
• Manage relationships with functional stakeholders at global headquarters and across the client's Business Lines.

Reporting, AI, Automation and HR Technology:

• Lead AI and digital transformation across HR to improve workforce outcomes, employee experience and operational efficiency.
• Scale HR technology for talent, performance, workforce planning and employee services.
• Improve HR systems and data to streamline processes and support better insights and decisions.
• Partner with HR, Digital and business teams on innovation, automation and productivity.

Payroll and Statutory Compliance:

• Own the accurate running of monthly payroll and all required HR statutory compliance.

Learning and Development:

• Run the annual Training Needs Analysis (TNA) and prepare the learning calendar.
• Set up a learning framework and create opportunities for continuous learning and professional development.

External Communication:

• Work with the Group Communications team on messaging and on press conferences, press releases and other media activity, as required.

People Management:

• Make sure the HR team is properly staffed and builds the skills needed for the organisation's growth.
• Keep the team motivated.

Candidate Profile:

Education and experience:

• At least 15 years of HR experience, including 6 - 8 years in leadership roles.
• HR generalist with deep exposure to talent management and the ability to manage payroll and HR compliance.
• Experience in a global, matrixed organisation, managing global stakeholders (required).
• End-to-end talent acquisition experience (an advantage).
• Certifications (an advantage): CIPD, SHRM, PMP, CCMP or Prosci.