HR - DIRECTOR Location: Chennai, India Function: Human Resources About GP Strategies GP Strategies is a global leader in talent transformation, helping organizations unlock workforce potential through innovative learning, talent, and technology solutions. With a proven track record of supporting more than 6,000 organizations worldwide, we combine human expertise with AI-enabled insights to help businesses develop critical skills, accelerate technology adoption, and drive meaningful performance outcomes. Our mission is simple: empower organizations with the strategy, skills, and tools needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving world. The Opportunity We are looking for an experienced and dynamic Head of Human Resources, India to lead our people strategy and HR operations for a growing organization of over 500 employees. This is a high-impact leadership role that offers the opportunity to shape the employee experience, strengthen compliance and governance, drive organizational effectiveness, and act as a trusted advisor to senior business leaders. The ideal candidate will bring a strong blend of strategic HR leadership, operational excellence, and deep expertise in Indian employment laws, payroll, compliance, and employee relations. What You'll Do Lead the India HR Function • Provide strategic direction and leadership for the India HR team. • Coach, mentor, and develop HR professionals across HR operations, employee lifecycle management, payroll, and compliance. • Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and service excellence. Drive Employee Lifecycle Excellence • Oversee end-to-end employee lifecycle processes, including onboarding, performance management, employee development, engagement, and offboarding. • Ensure a consistent, compliant, and positive employee experience across all touchpoints. • Partner with leaders to effectively manage employee relations matters and organizational challenges. Manage Payroll, Compliance & Taxation • Lead end-to-end payroll operations, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and timely delivery. • Ensure compliance with applicable Indian labor laws and statutory requirements, including PF, ESI, gratuity, and Shops & Establishments regulations. • Oversee year-end taxation activities, regulatory filings, and employee tax processes. • Manage relationships with payroll and compliance vendors, ensuring high-quality service delivery. • Lead the resolution of complex and legacy Provident Fund matters and liaise with statutory authorities as required. Strengthen Governance & Risk Management • Lead all internal and external HR-related audits. • Maintain audit readiness through robust controls, documentation, and compliance frameworks. • Proactively identify risks and implement effective mitigation strategies. Partner with Business Leaders • Act as a trusted advisor to business leaders across India. • Support workforce planning, talent management, organizational design, and performance strategies. • Drive initiatives that enhance employee engagement, productivity, and organizational effectiveness. Champion Talent & Culture Initiatives • Collaborate with regional and global HR teams to implement strategic talent programs. • Lead employee engagement, retention, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and culture-building initiatives. • Translate global programs into meaningful local solutions that support business goals. What We're Looking For Experience • 12-15+ years of progressive Human Resources experience. • Minimum 8 years in a people leadership role. • Proven experience leading HR for a mid-sized organization with approximately 400-800 employees. • Strong expertise in payroll management, statutory compliance, labor laws, and year-end taxation. • Demonstrated experience handling complex PF matters and interactions with statutory authorities. • Experience leading internal and external audits and managing compliance frameworks. • Strong track record of influencing senior stakeholders and driving business-aligned HR outcomes. Education • Bachelor's degree required. • Master’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or a related discipline preferred. Success in This Role Will Be Measured By • Payroll accuracy and compliance performance. • Successful resolution of legacy compliance matters. • Strong audit outcomes and governance standards. • Employee engagement and retention results. • Operational excellence across HR service delivery. • Positive stakeholder and leadership feedback. • Development and effectiveness of the HR team. Why Join GP Strategies? This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the people agenda for a global organization. You'll have the autonomy to drive meaningful change, influence senior leadership, and build a strong, compliant, and high-performing workplace culture while partnering closely with talented teams across the globe. #LI-AA1 #India #Onsite