Associate Director People Operations

Job DescriptionJob Title: Associate Director – People OperationsLocation: Bangalore. Hybrid, 4 days/week WFO.Experience: 15+ YearsRole OverviewWe are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Associate Director – People Operations to lead and scale the HR Operations, Admin, and Employee Experience functions in India. This role is both strategic and hands-on, acting as a trusted advisor to senior leadership while also driving operational excellence and people-first initiatives on the ground.Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Partnership & Business Alignment- Act as a strategic partner to key executives and function heads to align HR operations and people initiatives with broader business goals.- Develop a deep understanding of business and functional strategies to proactively support talent, operations- Identify workforce trends and provide solutions that enhance performance, engagement, and productivity.HR Operations & Process Improvement- Lead end-to-end HR operations across the employee lifecycle including onboarding, exits, HR systems, compliance, and policy governance.- Champion process improvements to optimize workflows, reduce friction, and scale HR services effectively.- Manage the implementation and long-term success of Workday HRMS in India.- Track key metrics including operational efficiency and Quality of Hire, and act on feedback from hiring managers and employees.Compliance:- Ensure adherence to statutory and regulatory compliance across India (e.g., labor laws, Shops & Establishment Acts, POSH, PF etc.).- Liaise with external consultants and legal advisors on audits, inspections, and government reporting.- Own compliance dashboards, risk mitigation plans, and periodic policy reviewsPayroll & Benefits:- Lead monthly payroll processing, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and alignment with finance and tax requirements.- Oversee employee benefits administration (health insurance, gratuity, provident fund, etc.)- Work closely with finance and external vendors to ensure year-end processes (form 16, tax declarations, etc.) are smooth and error-free.Policy Development & Compliance- Develop and enforce company policies that are compliant, scalable, and aligned with company culture and goals.- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of Indian labor laws and manage compliance audits.- Conduct training and communication to promote awareness and policy adoption.Employee Engagement- Lead the planning and execution of employee engagement programs including milestone celebrations, cultural events- Use surveys and feedback loops to continuously evolve engagement initiatives and employee experiences.Administration, Travel & Infrastructure- Lead the Admin and Travel functions, managing vendor relationships, cost control, and service quality.- Oversee office expansion and workplace readiness projects, ensuring alignment with headcount and growth plans.- Ensure safety, compliance, and operational excellence across all facilities.Team Leadership & Stakeholder Collaboration- Lead and mentor a high-performing team across HR Operations and Administration.- Foster a culture of accountability, service excellence, and development.- Engage effectively with stakeholders across HR, Legal, Finance, and Business to align on priorities and resolve escalations.Required Qualifications- 15+ years of experience in HR Operations, Admin, or People Programs with progressive leadership responsibility.- Proven experience as a strategic HR partner to leadership teams.- Strong background in policy creation, compliance, payroll, and process optimization.- Hands-on experience in implementing and managing HRMS platforms (preferably Workday).- Strong people management and vendor management capabilities.- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.Preferred Attributes- Strategic thinker with a proactive, can-do attitude.- Comfortable operating in fast-paced, dynamic environments.- Ability to roll up your sleeves while leading large-scale programs.- Creative problem-solver with a bias toward action and out-of-the-box thinking.- High ownership mindset with advancement capabilities and a drive to continuously improve.