Chief Community Officer, HZL

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Community Engagement

• Design and implement an Enterprise-wide Community Engagement & Partnership Strategy aligned with Vedanta’s business goals, ICMM and VPSHR standards, and global best practices.

• Collaborate with CSR to develop CSR Plans into visible, measurable outcomes that reduce differences, build trust, and enhance Vedanta’s social license to operate. Develop a Community Engagement Plan for proactive engagement.

Internal Collaboration

• Work closely with internal stakeholders to ensure community issues are integrated into business decisions.

• Partner with Business leaders and HR to enhance local employment, skill development, and women/youth engagement initiatives.

• Align with External Relations Department to maintain constructive ties with elected local government executives, district administration, and political stakeholders.

External Engagement

• Serve as the primary point of contact for communities, local influencers, and elected local representatives.

• Build community advisory/partnership councils at site and district levels for ongoing dialogue, grievance redressal, and collaboration.

• Strengthen Vedanta’s reputation as a community partner by ensuring transparency, responsiveness, and inclusive development.

Conflict Prevention & Resolution

• Establish an early warning system to detect and diffuse potential unrest before escalation.

• Facilitate and build a bridge between management and community representatives to ensure swift resolution of grievances.

• Reduce incidents of conflict and agitations through trust-based engagement and participatory problem-solving.

Impact Measurement & Reporting

• Define KPIs such as reduction in protests, agitations, and disruptions;

• Improvement in community perception index and MAS social performance scores;

• % of local community employed/skilled through Vedanta CSR programs;

• Grievances resolved within defined timelines.

• Report periodically to the Community Management Body on community relations health and recommend corrective actions.

Qualifications & Experience

• Postgraduate in Social Sciences, Public Policy, Rural Development, CSR, or related fields.
• 20 years plus of experience in community relations, stakeholder engagement, CSR, or public affairs, preferably in mining, manufacturing, or infrastructure sectors especially in North India
• Proven track record of resolving community concerns and building sustainable partnerships.
• Strong networks with government agencies, NGOs, and community organizations.

Competencies

• Exceptional relationship-building and negotiation skills.
• Deep understanding of socio-political dynamics in rural and semi-urban India, especially in North India/Rajasthan.
• Ability to work in high-pressure, conflict-prone environments with empathy and diplomacy.
• Strong communication skills in English, Hindi, and regional languages.
• Data-driven mindset to measure impact and improve strategies continuously.

Success Profile

• Reduction in frequency and intensity of agitation and disruptions.
• Communities perceive Vedanta as a partner in progress, not just an industrial operator.
• Improved stakeholder trust leading to business continuity and growth.
• Creation of a replicable engagement model across all Vedanta business units.