Human Resources Director

Elliott Scott - HR search & recruitment; Mumbai; On-site; INR 4,000,000 - 7,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Unknown is seeking an experienced HR leader to design and execute the India HR strategy in Mumbai, balancing local needs with global standards. The role requires hands-on delivery of core HR tasks in a lean team and reports to the global HR lead in the UK.

The successful candidate will partner with senior leaders to shape the people agenda as the India platform grows, acting as a trusted advisor on talent, culture and employee relations.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in HR leadership with strong generalist/HCM background.
• Experience delivering both HR strategy and operations in corporate setting.
• Proven ability to lead lean teams and handle confidential matters.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement HR strategy for India aligned with global standards.
• Own operational HR: contracts, handbook, policies, processes, compliance.
• Build lean HR infra for a high-performing corporate team.
• Lead workforce planning and partner with leadership on hiring.
• Act as trusted advisor to senior leaders on talent, performance, culture, and ER
• Coordinate HR activities between India and the global HR function.

Skills

HR strategy

HR operations

Stakeholder management

Indian employment law

Confidentiality

Real estate/infra/FS experience

Tools

HRIS / HCM

Job description

A leading global real estate investment firm is looking to appoint an experienced HR professional to support its growing India business. The role will be based in Mumbai, where the permanent corporate team is currently lean.

This is a hands-on, dual-focus role spanning both HR strategy and operations. The successful candidate will work closely with the senior leadership team in India while also reporting into the global HR lead (UK), balancing local business needs with alignment to the international HR function.

The position is ideal for someone who is comfortable personally delivering core HR fundamentals while also helping shape the people agenda as the India platform develops. This is not a pure-strategy role, nor a role supported by a large HR infrastructure; you will be the key HR leader on the ground.

Summary of the role and key responsibilities:

• Designing and executing the HR strategy for India in line with global standards and local business needs
• Owning operational HR: employment contracts, employee handbook, HR policies, processes, and compliance
• Building the right HR infrastructure for a lean, high-performing corporate team
• Leading workforce planning and partnering with leadership on hiring as the India business expands
• Acting as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on talent, performance, culture, and employee relations
• Ensuring smooth coordination between India and the global HR function

Key skills and experience required:

• 9–16 years of overall experience, with 10+ years in HR (generalist / HCM background strongly preferred)
• Proven experience operating across both strategic and operational HR in a corporate environment
• Comfortable working in a lean team and personally executing core HR tasks (contracts, policies, handbook, etc.)
• Strong understanding of Indian employment law and HR best practices
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders
• High ownership, discretion, and ability to handle confidential matters
• Experience in real estate, infrastructure, financial services, or other complex, project-driven organizations is a plus

Location & Reporting

• Reporting: Dual reporting – to India senior leadership and to the global HR lead (UK)

If you’re an HR leader who thrives in a high-impact, build-from-the-ground-up environment and wants to play a pivotal role in shaping the India people agenda of a globally recognized firm, we’d love to hear from you.