3 Days Left Associate Director People Operations

Job Description Job Title: Associate Director – People Operations Location: Bangalore. Hybrid, 4 days/week WFO. Experience: 15+ Years Role Overview We 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 Responsibilities Strategic 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 reviews Payroll & 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.