Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Key Highlights
Generic

Bhanu Teja

Hyderabad

Summary

Seasoned and forward-looking HR leader with over 15 years of experience driving people strategy across startups, scaleups, and innovation-led organizations. Adept at building HR functions from the ground up, aligning people operations with business growth, and fostering cultures of accountability, performance, and purpose. Demonstrated success in scaling HR across deep-tech, clean energy, AI, and digital media sectors — including semiconductor and AI ventures under the Npowert portfolio, and nationally scaled platforms like Way2News. Known for shaping HR systems that are agile, inclusive, and deeply connected to product and business cycles. Trusted advisor to founders, CXOs, and boards. Areas of strength include HR transformation, org design, leadership hiring, people analytics, and culture enablement. Currently pursuing the PGDM – Emerging CHRO Program from XLRI Jamshedpur, alongside certifications from XLRI and IIM Kozhikode in change management and HR analytics.

Overview

20
20
years of professional experience

Work History

Head – People & Culture

Npowert
02.2024 - Current
  • Entrusted with establishing the HR foundation for a clean-tech and innovation-centric venture. Collaborated closely with founders to design and implement HR strategies that support organizational growth and innovation.
  • Developed full-spectrum HR systems encompassing org design, policy formulation, compliance, and hybrid models to support agile team structures.
  • Led embedded HR partnerships with two innovation startups — Nayaa (semiconductor) and Riai (AI product) — tailoring HR solutions to meet the unique needs of each venture.
  • Designed frameworks for deep-tech talent acquisition, collaborating with top engineering institutions to build R&D and product pipelines.
  • Built internal OKR systems and L&D programs that covered over 80% of learning needs in engineering and operations functions.
  • Spearheaded adoption of HR tools and performance systems to improve compliance, talent analytics, and engagement tracking.
  • Acted as strategic HRBP to CXOs and founders, advising on scaling, org health, succession risk, and people governance.
  • Implemented DEI-sensitive hiring models and hybrid onboarding experiences for innovation-driven teams.

AVP – Human Resources

Osmosys Software Solutions
02.2023 - 10.2023
  • Managed HR operations for a global IT services firm with remote and international teams.
  • Oversaw compliance, onboarding, engagement, and training rollout.
  • Contributed to policy refresh and internal communication frameworks.
  • Supported digital enablement and performance alignment initiatives.

Head of Human Resources

Way2Online Interactive / Way2News
01.2014 - 02.2023
  • Spearheaded the HR function for a conglomerate of 7 digital startups, including the nationally recognized Way2News. Played a pivotal role in scaling operations, fostering a high-performance culture, and aligning HR strategies with business objectives.
  • Strategic Workforce Scaling: Orchestrated the expansion from 95 to over 1500 employees across diverse sectors such as media tech, fintech, SaaS, FMCG, and proptech, ensuring talent acquisition strategies met rapid growth demands.
  • Organizational Design & M&A Integration: Led the HR transition during Way2News' spin-off, aligning HR frameworks with investor expectations and facilitating a seamless $16.75M Series A funding process.
  • Performance Management Systems: Developed and implemented the Performance Development Overview (PDO), integrating OKRs and KPIs to drive accountability and performance across all levels.
  • Leadership Development & Succession Planning: Established leadership pipelines by identifying high-potential employees and creating development programs ensuring readiness for senior roles.
  • HR Analytics & Decision Support: Introduced data-driven HR dashboards, providing real-time insights into attrition, engagement, and hiring metrics to inform executive decisions.
  • Cultural Transformation Initiatives: Championed programs to embed organizational values, including mentorship schemes, recognition programs, and innovation challenges, fostering a cohesive and motivated workforce.
  • Compliance & Governance: Acted as the Presiding Officer for POSH, ensuring adherence to legal standards and promoting a safe and inclusive workplace.

Process Mentor – Customer Service

HSBC
01.2006 - 01.2010
  • Mentored teams in customer operations and escalation handling, driving service quality and team engagement in a large-scale financial services environment.

Education

PGDM - Emerging CHRO Program

XLRI Jamshedpur

MHRM - Masters in Human Resources Management

Gayatri Vidya Parishad

Human Resource Management And Analytics -

Indian Institute of Management
Kozhikode

Leadership And Change Management -

XLRI Jamshedpur

Skills

  • Strategic HR Leadership
  • Strategic Workforce Planning & Talent Pipelining
  • HR Tech & Digital Enablement
  • Performance Enablement & Goal Architecture (OKRs / KPIs)
  • Early-Stage HR Design & Scaling
  • Organizational Design & Culture Building
  • HR Policy Development & Compliance
  • Leadership Development & Succession Planning
  • People Analytics & Decision Intelligence
  • Employee Experience Design & Engagement Strategy
  • Employer Branding & Culture Communication
  • M&A HR Integration & Organizational Transition
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
  • Cross-Border HR Operations & Compliance
  • Change Management & HRBP Strategy
  • Employee Grievance Handling & Conflict Resolution

Timeline

Head – People & Culture

Npowert
02.2024 - Current

AVP – Human Resources

Osmosys Software Solutions
02.2023 - 10.2023

Head of Human Resources

Way2Online Interactive / Way2News
01.2014 - 02.2023

Process Mentor – Customer Service

HSBC
01.2006 - 01.2010

MHRM - Masters in Human Resources Management

Gayatri Vidya Parishad

PGDM - Emerging CHRO Program

XLRI Jamshedpur

Human Resource Management And Analytics -

Indian Institute of Management

Leadership And Change Management -

XLRI Jamshedpur

Key Highlights

  • Scaled workforce from 95 to 1500+ across 7 startup ventures at Way2Online, building HR architecture for media tech, fintech, SaaS, and proptech units.
  • Led HR separation and organizational redesign for Way2News, supporting $16.75M Series A fundraising with HR diligence, governance, and org alignment.
  • Designed and launched executive-facing HR dashboards, tracking metrics like hiring velocity, engagement sentiment, and attrition risk.
  • Oversaw strategic hiring for CXO and VP roles across engineering, growth, and operations — reducing external dependency and enabling succession.
  • Built the complete HR setup for clean energy, AI, and semiconductor startups under the Npowert portfolio, integrating people systems and performance infrastructure.
  • Implemented OKR-based performance development frameworks across early-stage teams, establishing clarity and accountability in lean orgs.
  • Led HR compliance, onboarding, and policy delivery across distributed teams in India and global partner offices (Osmosys, Npowert).
  • Acted as a founding HR partner to Npowert's deep-tech portfolio, bringing calm structure to high-velocity, founder-led ventures.
  • Launched innovation pods, hackathon-style team challenges, and mentoring groups to reinforce cultural alignment and peer learning.

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