Head HR Compliance & HR Legal

Job Title: Head HR Compliance & Legal

Grade: DGM/GM

Reporting To: CHRO

Department: Human Resource and Legal

Location: Valapad

Educational Qualifications: LLB/LLM

Position Overview

The Head HR Compliance & HR Legal will be responsible for ensuring organisational adherence to all statutory labour laws, corporate governance requirements, and internal HR policies, while providing strategic legal support for people-related matters. This role is pivotal in safeguarding the companys reputation, ensuring ethical practices, and fostering a compliant, transparent, and trust-driven culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Review and update company policies in accordance with the latest regulations, employment laws, workplace safety, EDP, Wages laws.
• Ensure all employment practices are in compliance with legal requirements
• Monitor HR department operations to ensure compliance with labour laws
• Conduct internal audits to assess the company’s compliance status
• Provide guidance to HR and management staff on compliance matters
• Develop and implement effective compliance training programs for employees
• Report back to company management and/or board on current risk and compliance performance
• Collaborate with other departments to create a culture of compliance in the company
• Investigate and respond to any legal complaints or allegations of rule violations
• Stay up to date with labour laws, employment regulations, and other legal requirements applicable to the organisation. Oversee adherence to all statutory and regulatory guidelines, ensuring zero non-compliance
• Provide legal counsel on employment contracts, workplace policies, disciplinary actions, terminations, and employee relations matters.
• Handle employment-related legal cases, labour disputes, and arbitrations in a fair and consistent manner. Coordinate with external counsel where necessary to protect the organisation’s interests.
• Draft, review, and update HR policies, procedures, and employee handbooks to ensure compliance with applicable laws and alignment with organisational objectives.
• Vet and maintain legal documents including contracts, agreements, and notices. Ensure accurate and up-to-date record-keeping for audit and statutory purposes.
• Identify and mitigate potential legal risks related to HR practices, implementing preventive measures to minimise exposure.
• Oversee compliance with the POSH Act and other workplace conduct regulations, promoting a safe, inclusive, and respectful work environment.
• Conduct legal and compliance training for HR teams, managers, and employees to ensure understanding of legal rights, obligations, and policies.
• Partner with HR leadership, business heads, and compliance teams to embed legal considerations into HR processes and strategic initiatives.

Key Functional Skills

1. Integrity & Ethical Judgment – Unwavering commitment to fairness, confidentiality, and transparency in all dealings.

2. Attention to Detail – Meticulous in reviewing legal documents, policies, and compliance reports.

3. Strong Communication Skills – Ability to explain complex legal matters in simple, actionable language.

4. Decision-Making Ability – Confident in taking tough calls backed by legal reasoning and organisational values.

5. Influence & Collaboration – Skilled in influencing stakeholders to adopt compliant practices without friction.

6. Resilience & Composure – Ability to handle high-pressure situations and sensitive employee matters calmly.

7. Proactive Problem-Solving – Anticipates risks and implements preventive measures before they escalate.

8. Confidentiality & Discretion – Trusted to handle sensitive organisational and employee information with care.

Qualifications & Experience

Education: LLB / LLM, preferably with additional HR certification or MBA in HR.

Experience: Minimum 15–18 years of experience in HR compliance, labour law, and legal advisory, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.

Strong exposure to multi-location compliance management and litigation handling.