The Team Lead – Background Verification & Medicals is accountable for managing a team responsible for executing high-quality, compliant, and timely background verification and pre-employment medical clearance processes. This includes overseeing vendor partnerships, ensuring data integrity, mitigating risk, and driving performance against defined SLAs. The role requires strong governance, leadership, and operational discipline across high-volume, business-critical workflows. Roles & Responsibility Team Management Lead and manage a team delivering background verification and medical clearance services across business units. Drive SLA adherence, quality outcomes, and timely issue resolution through effective supervision and coordination. Develop team capabilities through training, coaching, and performance reviews. Background Verification Management Oversee the execution of background checks (employment, education, criminal, ID, etc.) via third-party vendors. Ensure accurate documentation, appropriate escalation, and closure of adverse or incomplete checks. Maintain thorough audit trails, escalate unresolved issues, and provide subject matter guidance to internal teams. Pre-employment Medical Clearance Manage the end-of-the-end process of booking medical assessments with approved codes provided by occupational health providers (e.g., IMA). Track medical completion status, manage escalations, and resolve exceptions in collaboration with TAS Lead Ensure all medical clearance protocols are met before candidate mobilization. Vendor Engagement Serve as the primary point of contact for TA Service Lead, HRBPs, Compliance, and external vendors. Conduct regular performance reviews with vendors to ensure SLA, quality, and compliance outcomes. Provide risk alerts and insights based on trends in adverse findings or delays. Reporting & Audit Preparedness Maintain real-time dashboards, trackers, and process documentation. Support internal and external audits through complete, accurate, and easily accessible records. Drive process improvements and contribute to automation and compliance initiatives. Skills & Experience 13-15 years of experience in HR Domain, preferably in a fast-paced environment. In-depth knowledge of recruitment best practices managing, compliance, with at least 2–3 years in a leadership role. Deep knowledge of verification practices, risk controls, audit standards, and third-party vendor management. Proven ability to handle escalations, adverse findings, and complex case resolution with minimal oversight. Proficiency in systems such as Workday, HireRight, DocuSign, ServiceNow, Excel/Power BI, and vendor platforms. Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and decision-making skills. Preferred Qualifications Postgraduate in Human Resources, Operations, or a related field. Experience working in global capability centers or shared services environments. Familiarity with applicant tracking systems (ATS) and recruitment tools to streamline processes and enhance efficiency. Our Contribution to greater common good – Our Sustainability Programs Sustainability considerations are deeply embedded in the way we run our business. We have put climate change and the low-carbon transition at the heart of our business strategy. We are decarbonising our assets, helping our customers decarbonise by developing new products and technologies, and growing in materials essential for the energy transition. Our sustainability framework focuses on the 2 lead goals responsible consumption and production (SDG 12) and decent work and economic growth Our business operations also contribute to 8 supporting SDGs Climate Change - Our strategy and approach to climate change are supported by strong governance, and we are building our processes and capabilities to enable us to reach net zero emissions by 2050. Talent, Diversity, Inclusions – Everyday Respect and Pay Equity are our focus areas. Only safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace can ensure happiness Human Rights - Freedom from slavery is a human right and we incorporate our work on preventing and addressing any involvement in modern slavery into our broader human rights programme . Know More About Us Website – https //www.riotinto.com/en ; LinkedIn – https //www.linkedin.com/company/rio-tinto/ ; Instagram – https //www.instagram.com/lifeatriotinto/ About Rio Tinto Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminium, critical minerals, and other materials needed for the global energy transition and for people, communities, and nations to thrive. We have been mining for 150 years and operate with knowledge built up across generations and continents. Our purpose is finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs – striving for innovation and continuous improvement to produce materials with low emissions and to the right environmental, social and governance standards. But we can’t do it on our own, so we’re focused on creating partnerships to solve problems, create win-win situations and meet opportunities. Every Voice Matters At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, mature workers, people with disabilities and people from different cultural backgrounds. We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or anything else that makes us different. Show more Show less