HR Manager/Head of HR

HR Manager / Head of HR University of Southampton Delhi Campus

Location: Gurgaon, New Delhi

Type of Contract: Permanent, Full Time

Salary: Competitive

Job Purpose

To lead and manage the Human Resources function for the university's India campus, ensuring alignment with the global strategy and compliance with local employment legislation. The HR Manager will play a pivotal role in building a positive organisational culture, supporting staff development, and enabling effective people management in an international academic setting.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic HR Leadership

• Act as the key HR advisor to senior leaders in India on all people-related matters.
• Ensure HR strategies and practices are aligned with the university and operating partners global policies, local employment law, and cultural context
• Partner with the UK-based HR team to implement global initiatives including job levelling, performance management, and employee engagement.

Recruitment and Onboarding

• Lead end-to-end recruitment for academic and professional services roles at the Delhi campus.
• Align recruitment campaigns to attract diverse, high-quality candidates.
• Manage visa and relocation processes for international hires as required.
• Oversee an effective onboarding and induction processes.

Employee Relations & Compliance

• Provide guidance and support on employee relations, ensuring compliance with Indian labour laws and applicable policies.
• Handle disciplinary and grievance matters professionally and in a timely manner escalating to the Head of HR, India as required.
• Maintain up-to-date HR policies and ensure staff are aware of key policies and procedures.

HR Operations & Systems

• Oversee local HR administration, including contracts, payroll inputs, and personnel records.
• Liaise with external legal and payroll advisors and internal Finance and Technology teams.
• Ensure accurate and timely HR reporting and analytics for UoS Delhi operations.

Learning & Development

• Identify training needs and support the delivery of management and leadership development in line with the university's global framework.
• Collaborate with Group L&D centre of excellence to coordinate delivery of learning programmes and encourage a culture of continuous professional development.

Organisational Development & Culture

• Champion initiatives that support staff engagement, inclusion, and well-being.
• Support change management and team development interventions.
• Foster a values-led culture consistent with the mission and ethos.

Person Specification

Essential

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, or a related field.
• HR generalist experience, with exposure to international or cross-cultural settings.
• HR experience in a higher education or international education environment.
• In-depth knowledge of Indian employment law and HR best practices.
• Proven ability to build strong working relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal, influencing, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience managing recruitment, ER, and HR operations in India.

Desirable

• Master's degree in HR, Business, or a related field.
• CIPD or equivalent HR qualification.
• Experience supporting or implementing global HR programmes or policies.
• Experience of working in a matrix environment.

Additional Information:

• Occasional travel to the UK campus may be required.
• Flexibility to work across time zones.
• The role requires a high level of discretion, cultural sensitivity, and integrity.

This job description is provided as a guide to the role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive description of duties and responsibilities and may be subject to periodic revision.

Oxford International is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Recruitment checks, including checks with past employees, are undertaken in accordance with our Recruitment and Selection policy.

Oxford International is an equal opportunity employer. Every applicant and employee has the same opportunities regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, or veteran status.