Asst Vice President – People

About 21K School :

21K School, promoted by Bangalore-based Mindreflex Technologies Private Limited, is Asia's largest online school, offering virtual education to over 7,500 students across 72 countries. At 21K School, we're not just building an online school; we're building the future of education. We believe every student deserves a personalised, world-class learning experience, regardless of location.

21K School is driven by
growth, innovation, and a mission to redefine the boundaries of learning
. As we scale rapidly, we are looking for passionate individuals who thrive in dynamic environments and are eager to contribute to building something truly transformative. More at

Job Title:
Asst Vice President – People & Culture

Experience: 6 to 9 Years

Location: Work from Office - Indiranagar Bangalore

Department: HR (Human Resources)

Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer

About the Role :

We are seeking a highly motivated and forward-thinking
Asst Vice President – People & Culture
to take ownership of our HR strategy and execution. This is a high-impact leadership role best suited for someone with 6–12 years of experience in high-growth startups, who is excited about building scalable people practices that align with our mission.

As a key culture custodian, you will lead our People & Culture function across the full employee lifecycle—from hiring and onboarding to performance, engagement, and retention. You will be instrumental in building systems and practices that enable our people to do their best work, while supporting leadership with insights, tools, and frameworks to drive business success.

You'll Have the Opportunity To:

• Lead with Vision:
  Build and scale a people-first, high-performance culture that aligns with 21K's mission and values.
• Design for Scale:
  Implement agile and scalable HR systems to support rapid growth, using tools such as
  Keka, Zoho People
  , and similar platforms.
• Champion Employee Experience:
  Own end-to-end employee journeys, ensuring a seamless and engaging experience from onboarding to exit.
• Be a Strategic Partner:
  Work closely with senior leadership to translate business goals into people strategies and outcomes.
• Drive Continuous Improvement:
  Leverage data, feedback, and best practices to iterate and improve people processes.
• Promote Innovation:
  Foster a workplace that celebrates creativity, collaboration, and personal development.

Key Responsibilities:

1. People Strategy & Culture Building

• Define and implement a comprehensive people strategy in alignment with business objectives.
• Champion 21K School's values, culture, and vision through rituals, communications, and leadership.
• Collaborate with leaders to shape organizational design, succession planning, and talent development.

2. Talent Acquisition & Onboarding

• Own end-to-end recruitment across departments with a focus on speed, quality, and culture fit.
• Build strong employer branding and referral programs to attract top talent.
• Design structured onboarding processes that create a strong first impression and quick ramp-up.

3. Performance Management & Development

• Lead performance review cycles, OKR alignment, and 360° feedback processes.
• Collaborate with leaders to create growth paths, upskilling opportunities, and L&D initiatives.
• Create a culture of regular check-ins, coaching, and accountability.

4. HR Operations & Tools

• Implement and manage HRIS platforms like
  Keka
  and
  Zoho People
  for smooth HR operations and automation.
• Ensure accuracy and compliance in payroll, benefits, documentation, and labour laws.
• Use data and dashboards to track key HR metrics and report to leadership.

5. Engagement, Communication & Culture

• Conduct engagement surveys, analyse feedback, and run interventions to boost morale and retention.
• Plan company-wide events, team bonding activities, and internal communications to foster unity and trust.
• Embed DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) principles into people practices.

6. Compliance, Policies & Governance

• Create and implement HR policies and handbooks in line with legal and industry standards.
• Ensure audit readiness and compliance with labour laws, data privacy regulations, and statutory filings.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

• 6–9 years of progressive HR experience, preferably in high-growth startups or digital- first organisations.
• Proven experience in building HR systems and programs from the ground up.
• MBA in HR or equivalent qualification preferred.

Skills and Expertise:

• Strong command over HR tools like
  Keka, Zoho People
  , and Excel/Google Sheets
• Solid understanding of performance management, recruitment, employee lifecycle, and compliance.
• Experience in leading change management and culture-building initiatives.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills.

Leadership and Interpersonal Skills:

• High emotional intelligence with the ability to coach, influence, and build strong relationships.
• Passionate about people, innovation, and delivering impact.
• Self-driven, adaptable, and deeply aligned with 21K School's mission.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

1.Employee engagement and pulse scores

2. Time-to-hire and quality-of-hire metrics

3. Retention and attrition rates

4. Manager feedback and performance outcomes

5. Completion and participation in L&D programs

6. Operational compliance, policy adherence and HRIS data accuracy

7. ENPS and other leading metrics as decided time to time

What We Offer:

• A strategic leadership role in a purpose-driven, fast-scaling organization
• An open, collaborative, and innovation-focused culture based in our Bangalore HQ
• Competitive compensation, ESOPs, and performance-based incentives
• Opportunities for growth, experimentation, and impact in the education space

Why Join Us?

• Be part of Asia's largest online school, making real impact in education
• Work with a passionate and mission-driven team
• Fast-paced, dynamic, and inclusive work culture
• Opportunity to innovate and lead high-impact initiatives

Ready to Support, Solve, and Succeed?

Join us at 21K School and help us shape the future of education—one meaningful interaction at a time.

Application Process:

If you're passionate about building people-first cultures and want to contribute to transforming education at scale, we'd love to hear from you. Please send your resume and a note on your people philosophy to