Associate Director/Manager – HR – University of Aberdeen, India Campus

Location: Mumbai, India

Department: HR

Reporting to: Director/Head - HR – India Campus

Employment Type: Full-time

About the University and the Role

Founded more than five centuries ago, the University of Aberdeen is a leading research institution that drives innovation and prepares students for future careers. It is ranked 2nd in Scotland and 12th in the UK in the 2025 Guardian University Guide, and is listed among the top 250 universities worldwide in the 2025 QS and Times Higher Education rankings.

The University of Aberdeen will open its Mumbai campus in Powai in September 2026. At launch, it will offer six programmes: four-year undergraduate degrees in Computing, Data Science, Economics, and Business Management, along with one-year master’s degrees in Artificial Intelligence and Business Administration.

We are seeking an entrepreneurial and collaborative HR professional to support the Human Resources function. This role is central to building a world-class academic and administrative workforce, fostering a high-performance culture, and ensuring compliance with employment laws and university policies. The ideal candidate will bring relevant experience from Indian universities, global exposure, and a proven ability to attract top talent from across the globe. A strong understanding of Indian regulatory frameworks in a university setting is preferred.

Key Responsibilities

• Support development and implementation of HR strategies aligned with the university’s mission and international standards.
• Support all HR functions including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, employee engagement, compensation, and compliance.
• Contribute to building and nurturing a strong organizational culture that reflects the university’s values and global outlook.
• Partner with academic and administrative leaders to support workforce planning and talent development.
• Drive international recruitment strategies to attract top-tier faculty and staff from around the world.
• Ensure compliance with Indian labor laws, university policies, and accreditation requirements.
• Support development of HR systems, policies, and procedures.
• Manage employee relations and foster a positive, inclusive work environment.
• Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across the campus.
• Provide strategic HR insights to senior leadership and contribute to decision-making.

Qualifications & Experience

• Master’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressive HR experience in premier higher education institutions.

Required Skills

• Entrepreneurial Agility: A mindset to support building and scaling of new initiatives, fostering innovation and institutional growth.
• Strategic Alignment: Ability to align HR strategy with institutional goals and global standards.
• Global Talent Acquisition: Experience in attracting and onboarding international faculty and staff.
• Higher Education Expertise: Understanding of HR dynamics in Indian universities.
• Accreditation & Compliance: Knowledge of Indian and international regulatory frameworks and accreditation bodies.
• Organizational Development: Experience in performance management and leadership development.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to engage stakeholders.
• Technology Proficiency: Experience with HRIS platforms and digital HR tools.
• Analytical Thinking: Ability to interpret HR metrics and drive data-informed decisions.
• Collaboration: Strong team player with the ability to work across departments and cultures.

Why Join Us?

• Join the founding team of a leading UK university establishing a centre of academic excellence in India.
• Play a key role in expanding world-class opportunities for students in India.
• Contribute to building high-quality team, culture, and impact within a mission-driven, collaborative environment.
• Access competitive compensation and benefits.

Emeritus provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state laws