Chief People Officer - GroupM, South Asia

This is a senior leadership position where you will develop and execute people strategies that are aligned with GroupM's business goals in South Asia and its regional and global objectives. You will provide strategic guidance to senior leadership on a wide range of HR functions and champion the adoption of new technologies and operating models.

Core Responsibilities

Strategic HR Leadership

• Develop and execute People strategies for South Asia, ensuring they align with GroupM's business, regional, and global goals.
• Provide strategic guidance to senior leadership on talent acquisition, development, retention, compensation, and employee relations.
• Anticipate future talent needs and proactively build robust talent pipelines.
• Champion the adoption of AI and other technologies to transform the People function and improve HR processes.
• Drive the adoption of the new people operating model across the South Asia region.

Strategic Talent Acquisition & Workforce Management

• Lead innovative talent acquisition efforts to attract top talent.
• Drive strategic workforce planning to anticipate future talent needs.
• Oversee the resource management function to ensure efficient talent allocation.
• Develop and implement employer branding strategies to enhance GroupM's reputation as a preferred employer.

Employee Engagement

• Cultivate a positive and inclusive work environment in line with the 'One GroupM' vision.
• Develop and implement effective employee communication strategies.
• Drive initiatives to enhance employee engagement and workplace culture.

Organizational Development & Growth

• Lead organizational design and change management efforts, particularly those related to AI implementation and the new people operating model.
• Oversee performance management, ensuring fairness and driving excellence.
• Identify and develop high-potential employees and champion succession planning.
• Oversee the design and delivery of impactful learning and development programs across the employee lifecycle, including upskilling employees on AI and related technologies.

Budget Management

• Oversee the People function's budget, ensuring effective resource planning, cost control, and alignment with business priorities.

Compensation & Benefits

• Support the development and administration of competitive compensation and benefits programs, ensuring compliance and effective communication.

HR Operations Leadership & Employee Advocacy

• Drive operational excellence by using data-driven insights and HR technologies to optimize strategies and improve the employee experience.
• Act as an advocate for employees, ensuring fair treatment and managing employee relations effectively while complying with local laws.

Skills and Experience

To be successful in this role, you must embody GroupM's core values: Be Extraordinary, Create an Open Environment, and Lead Optimistically.

The ideal candidate will also possess:

• A degree in HR, Psychology, or a related field.
• 15+ years of progressive generalist HR leadership experience, with a preference for candidates from the advertising, professional services, or technology industries.
• Proven ability to analyze HR data to identify trends, derive insights, and make data-driven decisions aligned with business goals.
• In-depth knowledge of employment laws in both India and Sri Lanka.
• Experience leading HR business transformation initiatives, including the adoption of AI, automation, and new operating models. A strong understanding of AI's impact on the workforce is crucial.
• Strong project and change management skills, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and coaching abilities, with the capacity to build strong relationships at all levels and communicate complex information effectively.
• Resilience and adaptability to thrive in a fast-paced, matrixed environment and remain effective under pressure.