Director (Talent and Staffing) - Human Resources

Job Title:

Reports to:

Location:

Experience (in years)

About Ashoka University:

Role Summary:

The Director – Talent & Staffing will lead Talent Acquisition and oversee the employee lifecycle for all academic staff at Ashoka University. This includes hiring, onboarding, HR operations, employee engagement, employee relations, policy implementation, and exit management. The role will ensure that the university attracts and retains top professional talent while fostering a consistent, transparent, and values-driven employee experience.

Performance Management and Talent Development will be managed separately, while this role will ensure smooth integration of lifecycle processes with those functions.

Role and Responsibilities:

1. Talent Acquisition

• Develop and execute a recruitment strategy for professional and administrative roles across the university.
• Oversee sourcing, selection, interviewing, and onboarding processes.
• Build strong employer branding initiatives to attract high-calibre talent.
• Track hiring metrics and ensure efficient, high-quality recruitment.

2. Employee Lifecycle Management

• Ensure fair and transparent application of HR policies and processes.
• Act as a trusted HR partner to employees and managers on employee relations, grievances, and workplace matters.
• Drive employee engagement, recognition programs, and well-being initiatives.

3. HR Partnering & Institutional Support

• Collaborate with department heads to ensure workforce needs are effectively met.
• Provide guidance on organisational structures, role design, and workforce planning.
• Ensure alignment of employee lifecycle processes with the broader HR framework and institutional priorities.
• Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion across non-academic roles.

4. Leadership & Team Management

• Lead a team of HR professionals across Talent Acquisition and HR partnering.
• Build capabilities within the HR function for scalability and efficiency.
• Partner with senior leadership on strategic HR initiatives

Required Qualifications, Skills and Abilities:

• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Management, or related discipline.
• Atleast 15 years of HR experience with expertise in recruitment and HR operations for large, multi-functional organisations.
• Strong exposure to employee lifecycle management (onboarding, engagement, employee relations, policy, compliance, exit).
• Prior experience in higher education, not-for-profit, or complex service organisations preferred, though not mandatory.

Personal Characteristics and Desired Qualities:

• Deep understanding of HR processes with the ability to balance strategic and operational needs.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• High integrity, fairness, and inclusion orientation.
• Problem-solving mindset and ability to work in dynamic, evolving environments.
• Empathy and a people-centred leadership style.