Senior Director - HR

Job Description

We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Senior Director of HR to serve as a pivotal advisor to our leadership team in India, while fostering a strong collaborative partnership with US HR stakeholders. This role, based in Pune, is essential for aligning HR strategies with business objectives and driving organizational success across both India and the US. The ideal candidate will be responsible for partnering with business leadership, overseeing India Country HR functions, and building robust relationships with US HR teams. This position requires close collaboration with various HR Centers of Excellence (COEs), including Talent Acquisition, HR Operations, Total Rewards, and HR Tech (HRIS), to deliver integrated HR solutions that are globally aligned and locally relevant. Key Responsibilities: Strategic HR Partnership (India & US): Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership in India and work closely with US HR leadership on HR-related matters, ensuring alignment of business objectives with HR strategies across both regions. Provide expert guidance on workforce planning, talent management, compensation and benefits, performance improvement, and employee engagement initiatives, with a focus on cross-regional consistency and best practices. Facilitate clear and consistent communication and collaboration between India and US stakeholders to ensure seamless HR operations and alignment. India Country HR Oversight: Oversee and ensure the effective implementation of HR policies and practices tailored to the local India context, while maintaining alignment with global standards. Serve as the primary point of contact for India-specific HR matters, ensuring compliance with local labor laws and regulations. Collaborate with the CAO, regional leaders, and US HR teams to ensure that country-specific HR strategies support broader organizational goals and integrate with global HR initiatives. Collaboration with COEs (Global Perspective): Partner with COEs such as Talent Acquisition, HR Operations, Total Rewards, and HR Tech (HRIS) to develop and implement integrated HR programs. Facilitate effective communication and collaboration between the business and HR COEs to drive consistent and scalable HR practices locally. Ensure that HR processes and systems are harmonized across India and US operations, where appropriate, to increase efficiency and maintain global consistency. HR Program Implementation (Cross-Regional): Support the design, execution, and evaluation of HR programs and policies in line with local market trends and global standards, with a focus on consistency and alignment between India and the US. Utilize data and analytics to assess program effectiveness and recommend improvements, considering both India and US metrics and feedback. Change Management & Transformation (Global Impact): Play a key role in organizational transformation initiatives, providing guidance and support during change management processes, with a focus on the impact on both India and US teams. Ensure HR practices and policies evolve in alignment with business growth and transformation objectives across both regions. Stakeholder Engagement (India & US): Build and maintain strong relationships with business leaders and stakeholders in both India and the US to understand their needs and translate them into actionable HR solutions. Act as a key liaison between business units, the India Country HR function, US HR, and HR COEs to ensure timely resolution of HR issues and challenges across both regions. Compliance & Best Practices (Global Standards): Ensure that HR practices comply with local labor laws and regulations in India while reflecting industry best practices and aligning with global standards. Provide insights and recommendations on risk management and regulatory compliance to safeguard the organization across India and US operations. Qualifications & Experience: Education: Bachelor s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field. An MBA or advanced degree is preferred. Experience: A minimum of 12 years of progressive HR experience, with a strong focus on HR Business Partnering, total rewards (compensation and benefits), and country-level HR oversight within dynamic, fast-paced environments, with demonstrable experience partnering with US HR teams. Demonstrated experience in collaborating with diverse HR functions and COEs to drive comprehensive HR strategies across multiple regions. Skills & Competencies: Excellent strategic thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills with the ability to leverage data for decision-making across global teams. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven track record of influencing senior leadership without direct authority, including US-based leaders. In-depth understanding of HR best practices, local labor laws, and regulatory compliance, with an awareness of US employment laws and practices. Attributes: Proactive, adaptable, and innovative mindset with the ability to thrive in a complex, evolving global business environment. High emotional intelligence and the ability to manage stakeholder expectations effectively across diverse cultural backgrounds, including US and India.