ESOP & Equity Programs Manager

As a CS Qualified ESOP & Equity Programs Manager, you will play a crucial role in the end-to-end administration of employee equity programs. You will be the go-to person for employees seeking guidance on stock options and ownership benefits. Your responsibilities will include managing DMAT onboarding, ensuring NRI/FEMA/tax compliance, and collaborating with various departments to ensure seamless operations and regulatory accuracy. This position is key to fostering a culture of transparency, empowerment, and shared ownership within the company. Key Responsibilities: - Own the complete ESOP lifecycle, including grants, vesting, exercises, and share sales. - Maintain precise and compliant equity data across platforms like Carta, Eqvista, KFinTech, or similar systems. - Partner with HR, Finance, Legal, and Advisors to execute grants, manage exits, and ensure compliance with SEBI, FEMA, RBI, and Companies Act regulations. - Guide employees, including NRIs, on DMAT account setup, tax implications, FEMA/RBI rules, and equity-related documentation. - Coordinate with brokers, custodians, auditors, and tax consultants to facilitate smooth transactional workflows. - Conduct ESOP awareness sessions, create FAQs, employee playbooks, and communication material to simplify equity understanding. - Monitor plan performance, implement process improvements, automate workflows, and support equity pool planning, dilution analysis, and financial modeling. - Assist leadership and the Company Secretary function in preparing ESOP-related board materials, resolutions, and statutory filings. Qualifications: - Bachelor's degree in Commerce, Finance, Law, HR, or Business Administration. CS qualification or MBA is a strong advantage. - 3-6 years of experience in ESOP administration, equity operations, HR operations, corporate secretarial support, or finance, preferably in a tech or high-growth environment. - Strong understanding of DMAT & trading accounts, ESOP taxation, NRI/FEMA compliance, and equity-related statutory requirements. - Proficiency in Excel, HRIS tools, and equity management platforms like Carta, Eqvista, KFinTech. - Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain complex equity concepts in a simple, employee-friendly manner. - Strong analytical approach, attention to detail, and experience in supporting audits or compliance processes.,