HR Generalist

Zostel; Gurugram District; On-site; INR 400,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

Zostel is seeking an HR Generalist for its HQ in Gurugram. In this role, you'll own hiring, onboarding, compliance, and workplace culture for a team of 100. You will build systems from scratch, ensuring alignment with Zostel's vibrant ethos.

This position demands 3+ years of HR experience and is ideal for a proactive individual ready to shape the future of HR at Zostel as the first dedicated HR hire.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in HR.
• Proven knowledge of HR compliance.
• Ability to design engaging onboarding processes.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end hiring across all HQ functions.
• Design onboarding that reflects Zostel's energy.
• Run performance cycles and maintain compliance.

Skills

HR compliance knowledge

End-to-end hiring

Onboarding design

Workplace culture building

Job description

Zostel is the world's largest backpacker hostel franchise — 100+ properties, expanding internationally into Thailand and SE Asia. Beyond hostels, the ecosystem includes Zostel Plus, Zostel Homes, Zo Trips (curated group travel across 15+ countries), Zo Selections, and Zo Houses.

All of it runs on a 100-person HQ in Gurugram. And until now, HR for that team has been managed by the Founder's Office — alongside fundraising, legal, operations, and everything else.

That changes with this hire.

As HR Generalist, you'll be the first dedicated People person for the central team. You'll own end-to-end hiring across all HQ functions, design onboarding that actually reflects Zostel's energy, keep compliance clean, run performance cycles, and build the kind of workplace culture that makes people stay. You'll work directly with the Founder's Office and have visibility with leadership from Day 1.

This is not a role where you inherit a system and maintain it. There is no system yet. You build it — with full support, full trust, and full ownership.

If you're 3+ years into your HR career, you know your compliance inside out, and you're the kind of person who figures things out without being told — this one's for you.

Summary

HR Generalist at Zostel HQ — own hiring, onboarding, compliance, and culture for a 100-person team building the world's largest backpacker hostel brand. First dedicated HR hire. Zero playbooks. All yours.