Human Resources Business Partner

At APCO, we create un/common ground where business, policy, and society converge to shape the future. The traditional consultancy model is evolving at an unprecedented pace—leaders need more than insights. They need integrated advisory to navigate complexity, protect their license to operate, drive growth, and make a lasting impact.

We are looking for an HR Business Partner—a strategic, highly organized, and people-focused professional who can balance strategy and execution, drive HR initiatives, foster internal collaboration, and ensure seamless alignment of HR strategies with business objectives.

If you are eager to play a pivotal role in strategic decision-making, gain exposure to high-level business challenges, foster a culture of engagement and performance and work at the heart of a global advisory firm, this role is for you.

What We’re Looking For

A proactive and strategic partner who possesses a deep understanding of the business challenges and has the ability to re-frame those challenges through the lens of talent. The ideal candidate will design creative, forward-thinking solutions that drive organizational success.

• Innovative HR Solutions – Designs and implements HR strategies that are innovative and tailored to meet specific organizational needs.
• Service Excellence – Ensures high-quality service delivery in meeting stakeholder needs, fostering a responsive and supportive HR environment.
• Strategic communicator & internal diplomat – Cultivates and manages relationships across teams and functions to foster collaboration and understanding.
• Discreet and professional – Approaches sensitive matters with sound judgment and maintains confidentiality in all HR-related issues.
• Problem-solver – Anticipates challenges within the organization, addresses inefficiencies, and ensures effective follow-through on HR initiatives.
Cultural influencer – Positively impacts workplace culture and collaboration, enhancing engagement and alignment within the office and across the region.

Responsibilities

Business Partnership

• Act as primary point of contact for the India team, manage and deliver an excellent HR service.
• Cultivate a comprehensive understanding of the India team, including their strategic priorities and commercial challenges.
• Collaborate with the Senior Associate HR Director, Senior Director, Global Talent and Chief Talent Officer to consult on and implement HR strategies that align with business objectives.
• Work closely with business leaders and finance teams to manage HR-related budgets and forecasts, utilizing data and evidence to inform HR recommendations.
• Advise managers and employees on local business requirements and ensure compliance with legal regulations.
• Provide coaching and guidance to employees and line managers on effective people management practices on a daily basis.
• Engage proactively with other members of the Talent team to share best practices and enhance knowledge across the organization.

Talent Acquisition and Management

• Partner with business leaders, global talent acquisition team to develop a responsive talent acquisition strategy for India that meets emerging business needs.
• Oversee and manage full life-cycle recruiting at all levels: source candidates, conduct phone screen interviews, maintain relationships with candidates throughout the interview process, make recommendations on hiring decisions, check candidate references, and negotiate and prepare offers.
• Partner with senior leaders and hiring managers to understand short- and long-term needs and priorities across the business, identify passive and active candidates, and build strong regional candidate pipelines.
• Expand and leverage external networks; build relationships with professional groups and educational institutions and promote the APCO employer brand.
• Actively engage with our internal talent pool about existing and future opportunities and track interest and availability.
• Stay informed about the latest best practices and developments in talent acquisition, including the use of AI, technology, and social media tools.

HR Operations

• Collaborate with HR Shared Service team and external vendors to manage day-to-day HR operations, including monthly payroll, benefits administration, performance management, on-boarding and exit procedures.
• Facilitate annual performance cycles and goal-setting, coach managers on feedback and development conversations and ensure alignment with global frameworks and timelines.
• Manage intercompany transfers and secondments in coordination with global talent team.
• Support delivery of HR projects and change initiatives in line with global HR strategy.

Employee Relations

• Lead investigations and remediation processes.
• Ensure fair and timely resolution of grievances.
• Promote a culture of transparency and trust.
• Collaborate with business leaders, the Senior Associate HR Director, and Corporate Legal to develop, implement, and communicate clear policies regarding workplace behavior, performance expectations, and grievance procedures.
• Serve as a trusted resource for employees, offering guidance on workplace issues such as performance concerns, interpersonal conflicts, and career development.
• Identify, escalate, and mitigate risks related to employee issues while acting as a neutral mediator to address and resolve conflicts between employees or between employees and management.

Learning & Development

• Support regional training programs that utilize a global framework, overseeing the adaptation of content to meet the unique needs of the region and ensuring effective execution.
• Analyze learning needs and identify local training programs or collaborate with the global Learning & Development team to connect resources and materials.
• Facilitate the deployment of local compliance training to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements.

What You Will Gain

This is a dynamic, high-exposure role where you will:

• Gain first hand exposure to business strategy, global trends, and leadership decision-making.
• Develop expertise in HR consulting and strategic planning by aligning HR initiatives with business goals, addressing workforce challenges, and contributing to long-term organizational success.
• Build skills in stakeholder management and internal influence, positioning yourself as a trusted advisor and go-to resource for key decision-makers.
• Operate at the core of a high-performing global advisory firm, gaining deep insights into the integration of consulting functions across regions.
Accelerate your career in a structured, fast-paced environment while expanding your regional expertise, particularly in India, and collaborating with colleagues across the globe.

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Qualifications & Experience

• Solid HR experience in a commercial environment.
• Demonstrated ability to consult, influence, and partner with leaders.
• Demonstrated success in market mapping and building strong candidate pipelines.
• ER experience and the ability to resolve complex HR issues.
• Forward planning approach, attention to detail, commercially aware.
• Comfortable dealing with ambiguity.
• Proactive, highly motivated and results focused.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, HCM tools.

• Experience in consulting, corporate operations, or professional services is a plus.
  

About APCO In India

APCO began operations in India in 2007 and offerings include corporate advisory, government relations, strategic communications, coalition building, crisis management and management consulting services. Our clients in India include multinational companies, industry associations, non-profit organizations and governments.

We take an integrated approach to consulting, which is based on our strong public affairs heritage, our nuanced understanding of strategic communications and remarkable research, creative and digital capabilities. This is supported by our global perspective and local knowledge, enabling us to address complex issues for our clients and deliver path-breaking campaigns.

Our team in India comprises a significant bench of senior-level staff with deep expertise coming from a range of journalistic, business, management consulting, communications, academic and government backgrounds. The team is based in New Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. Alongside trusted affiliates, the team reaches all important markets within and around the sub-continent.

Careers at APCO

Through our recruitment, hiring and retention efforts, APCO is committed to building teams to bring the best possible expertise and robust perspectives to our clients. We embrace differences in experience, viewpoint and ideas, starting with our values and extending to our behaviors, policies and practices. We aim to create a positive work experience and welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong and can thrive.