Director

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.

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About Us

GP Strategies Corporation is one of the world's leading talent transformation providers. By delivering award-winning learning and development solutions, we help organizations transform through their people and achieve meaningful change. GP Strategies has delivered our innovative consulting, learning services, and talent technology solutions to over 6,000 organizations globally.

From our global experience working across thousands of projects and initiatives over the past 55 years, we've learned that relationships, business, work, innovation, strategy, and transformation are all about people. And, to put it simply, GP Strategies is about our people - an extensive global network of learning experts. Additional information can be found at www.gpstrategies.com.

With more than 4000 employees in over 30 countries, diversity at GP Strategies is second nature! Beyond our locations, our culture focuses on performance and revolves around respect, fairness, and working collaboratively to achieve our goals. We support our People, no matter who they are or where they are from, because we all have valuable and unique perspectives and approaches. That's how great ideas are born, which enable us to work smarter.

GP Strategies is committed and proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other federally protected class.