Human Resources Leader

Position Summary

This role is the lead Human Resources professional for J. J. Keller India, responsible for delivering strategic and operational HR support that enables business success and a positive associate experience. Serving as a trusted advisor to leaders and associates, this role oversees employee relations, HR operations, compliance, engagement, and the implementation of HR programs within India.

The HR Leader partners closely with local business leaders and U.S.-based HR teams to ensure people strategies, policies, and programs are effectively executed, compliant with local requirements, and aligned with organizational goals, workforce needs, and company culture.

Job Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary HR business partner and trusted advisor to associates and leaders across India, providing coaching and guidance on performance management, associate relations, organizational effectiveness, workforce planning, and leadership development.
• Lead associate relations activities, including workplace investigations, conflict resolution, performance improvement processes, and the promotion of a positive, engaging, and high-performing work environment.
• Manage day-to-day HR operations and ensure compliance with applicable India labor laws and regulations, including the development, administration, and maintenance of local HR policies, procedures, employment documentation, and statutory requirements.
• Interpret and implement HR policies and programs while ensuring alignment with local legal requirements, cultural considerations, and business needs.
• Partner with business leaders, Finance, IT, Operations, and U.S.-based HR teams to support organizational effectiveness, workforce planning, change management, associate experience, and business initiatives across India.
• Act as the primary liaison between India operations and corporate HR functions, ensuring effective communication, alignment, and execution of enterprise-wide programs, policies, and initiatives.
• Support talent acquisition activities by partnering on workforce planning, recruiting strategies, candidate selection, hiring priorities, onboarding, and integration of new associates.
• Coordinate and support talent management, leadership development, compliance training, and employee learning initiatives, including country-specific training programs and leadership development opportunities.
• Partner with compensation, benefits, and HR systems teams to support compensation planning, market benchmarking, salary administration, benefits programs, HR data management, and workforce analytics.
• Ensure the accuracy and integrity of HR information, associate records, organizational data, and reporting while leveraging workforce metrics and analytics to support business decisions.
• Lead associate engagement, recognition, wellness, communication, and culture-building initiatives to strengthen inclusion, collaboration, retention, and overall employee experience.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with external stakeholders, including legal counsel, payroll providers, government agencies, and HR vendors, as needed.
• Monitor workforce, labor market, and legislative trends, providing recommendations to leadership on policy updates, employment practices, talent strategies, and operational improvements.
• Prepare and present workforce reports, metrics, and insights to leadership, including analysis of staffing, retention, engagement, talent acquisition, and employee relations trends.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in a business-related field
• 8 years of progressive HR experience with proficiency in employee relations, talent acquisition, performance management, leadership coaching, compliance, and HR operations.
• Demonstrated success influencing leaders, resolving complex employee issues, and supporting organizational growth and talent strategies.
• Experience partnering with U.S. based HR teams and business leaders within a multinational organization
• Experience serving as the primary HR resource for a business unit, location, or organization.
• Experience partnering with remote leaders, local business leaders, and cross-functional teams.
• Prior leadership experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of Indian labor and employment laws.
• Fluent verbal and written communication skills with Kannada (Mysuru dialect) and English.
• Strong employee relations, investigation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate in a matrixed organization where HR responsibilities are shared across multiple functional experts and business partners.
• Demonstrated ability to build effective partnerships across multiple functions, business units, and geographic locations while balancing local business needs with enterprise objectives.
• Ability to build credibility and effective working relationships at all organizational levels.
• Excellent judgment, professionalism, and discretion when handling sensitive matters.
• Strong written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and HR information systems.
• Ability to work effectively across cultures, functions, and time zones.
• Ability to operate independently while remaining highly collaborative with stakeholders.

Physical Requirements

Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment. Work involves operation of personal computer equipment for extended periods of time.