Chithra R
Summary
Highly motivated and results-oriented Leadership Development professional with 14 years of experience designing and implementing strategic leadership development programs. Proven track record of identifying talent gaps, developing customized learning journeys, and fostering leadership progression within organizations. Skilled in data analysis, program evaluation, and building strong relationships with key stakeholders. Passionate about creating inclusive leadership development initiatives that equip leaders with the skills and knowledge to succeed in today's dynamic business environment. Seasoned learning and development professional with a wealth of experience managing comprehensive programs tailored to various industry sectors including IT, FMCG, Consulting, and Tech, catering to employees ranging from frontline staff to senior leadership positions within global organizations. Proven ability to establish and oversee learning academies in collaboration with esteemed international professional bodies and academic institutions, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and industry standards. Proficient in crafting and executing global leadership development strategies, collaborating seamlessly with subject matter experts (SMEs) and learning professionals across geographical boundaries to deliver impactful developmental initiatives. Demonstrated expertise in formulating data-driven Learning and Development (L&D) strategies intricately linked to talent management objectives and overarching business imperatives, particularly within large-scale organizations exceeding 4000+ full-time equivalents (FTE). Strong proficiency in conducting thorough needs assessments and crafting engaging training programs encompassing various modalities such as eLearning, instructor-led sessions, and blended learning approaches, while adeptly managing external vendors. Consistently deliver high-quality leadership development programs, ensuring smooth program execution by adeptly managing logistical aspects and adhering to organizational policies and service level agreements (SLAs). Skilled in leveraging cutting-edge learning technologies including SAP SuccessFactors, Workday, and Adobe Articulate to create immersive and innovative leadership learning experiences tailored to diverse learner demographics. Expert in evaluating the effectiveness of leadership development initiatives, employing robust measurement strategies based on Kirkpatrick's model to systematically monitor program outcomes and drive continuous improvement efforts grounded in principles of Total Quality Management (TQM).
Quality-focused Principal Consultant successful at managing customer expectations and delivering exceptional results built on extensive industry knowledge and subject matter expertise.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
14
14
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Principal Consultant – Digital Learning and Talent Initiatives
RSP Design Consultants India Ltd
07.2024 - 09.2024
- Conducted market analysis and feasibility studies for architectural design courses, leading to informed decisions on course offerings and vendor partnerships
- Developed a comprehensive resource and budget plan, successfully onboarding vendors and initiating training programs
- Drafted marketing strategies for product launches, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and market needs
- Evaluated the revenue generation models, financial implications, and cost and risk analysis for the project
Group Head- Talent, Learning and Development
Presenova Management Solutions LLP
06.2023 - 04.2024
- Led the L&D portfolio across the Presidency Group, overseeing a team of 20 learning professionals providing consulting and corporate training solutions in Training Needs Analysis (TNA), learning solutions, and Management Development Programs (MDPs)
- Develop and execute a robust learning and development strategy aligned with organisational goals to enhance educational experiences across diverse institutions within the Group
- Lead strategic learning program design and implementation at the Presidency Group, driving results, cost savings, and a culture of continuous development
- Implemented a customized leadership and managerial development framework across all sectors of the organization, resulting in a noticeable increase in leadership bench strength and succession readiness
- Launched a mentorship program for emerging leaders in the K12 sector, leading to enhanced employee engagement and retention rates
- Designed and delivered a series of leadership workshops for higher education faculty members, resulting in improved teaching effectiveness and student outcomes
- Established a learning academy for hospitality staff, providing structured training and development opportunities for frontline and managerial staff, resulting in improved guest satisfaction scores and employee performance metrics
- Successfully led the organization through a period of change and transformation by providing targeted leadership development support to leaders at all levels, resulting in increased organizational agility and resilience
Director – Learning and Leadership Development
GITAM Deemed University
06.2020 - 06.2023
- Lead the development of a holistic leadership and learning development strategy aligned with the university's objectives and long-term vision
- Oversee the design, development, and delivery of leadership development programs catering to staff at all levels, ensuring relevance and effectiveness
- Identify high-potential staff members and create tailored development plans to nurture their leadership capabilities, fostering a pipeline of future leaders
- Leadership Pipeline Development: Measure the percentage of staff who have progressed from lower-level positions to leadership roles after participating in development programs, aiming for a target increase of 5% annually
- Staff Engagement and Retention: Monitor improvements in employee engagement and retention rates following participation in leadership development initiatives, with a goal of achieving a 10% increase in engagement scores and a 5% reduction in turnover
- Program Effectiveness: Evaluate the impact of leadership development programs on staff performance metrics such as productivity, job satisfaction, and leadership competencies, aiming for a 10% improvement in these areas
- Succession Planning Readiness: Assess the readiness of identified successors to assume leadership roles through succession planning exercises, aiming for a 5% increase in the number of qualified internal candidates for key positions
- Stakeholder Satisfaction: Conduct regular surveys or feedback sessions with program participants and stakeholders to assess satisfaction levels with leadership development initiatives, aiming for a satisfaction rate of 10% or higher
- Collaborating with Stanford University and University of Michigan, curated courses for communication and leadership development
Learning Manager – Global L&D
GSK Consumer Healthcare India Ltd
12.2016 - 03.2020
- As a part of the Global Talent and OD team, my primary role was to develop and implement regional training plans for the APAC region and to implement L&D initiatives for the Indian sub-continent (India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh)
- Consult with business leaders and HR Business Partners to understand their teams' development needs and formulate suitable leadership and professional development interventions based on Budget and Resource availability
- Create role-based PDPs, IDPS, and learning paths for the targeted audience and define the metrics and assessments for performance evaluation, HI-Po talent, and development as per the 360-degree evaluation model
- As a part of GSK's new global leadership development program, collaborate with global leaders and to implement the program across the India subcontinent and be recognized for the best Talent manager award in 2019
- Implemented an Executive Leadership Program (ELP) in India subcontinent to develop senior leaders' strategic thinking, decision-making, and change management skills increased the number of executives promoted to higher leadership roles by 20% within one year of program completion
- Emerging Leaders Program (ELP): Tailored for high-potential employees to develop foundational leadership skills, including communication, collaboration, and problem-solving, and achieved a 20% increase in employee engagement scores among program participants
- Cross-Functional Leadership Workshop: Facilitated collaboration and teamwork among leaders from different departments and functions
- Resulted in improved cross-functional collaboration by 20%, resulting in enhanced efficiency and innovation
- Global Leadership Exchange Program to provide opportunities for leaders to gain international exposure and cultural competency through short-term assignments or exchanges
- It enhanced diversity and inclusion, with a 15% increase in the representation of diverse leaders in key positions
- Innovation Leadership Lab focused on fostering a culture of innovation and creativity among leaders, encouraging experimentation and risk-taking
- It Generated a 20% increase in new product ideas, patent registration, and innovations from program participants
Learning specialist | TNUSSP
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
03.2016 - 12.2016
- Developed and executed learning strategies aligned with organizational goals, enhancing employee performance and engagement
- Designed and implemented training programs, workshops, and initiatives for all employee levels, resulting in significant skills development
- Fostered a culture of continuous learning, driving employee ownership of growth and improving retention and engagement rates
- Delivered dynamic training sessions in in-person, virtual, and blended formats, improving participant engagement and knowledge retention
- Conducted regular training needs assessments, identifying skill gaps and creating targeted programs to address them
- Collaborated with leadership to integrate learning solutions with performance management systems, improving goal alignment and employee development
- Partnered with external vendors and consultants to source high-quality content, reducing costs while maintaining program quality
- Measured the effectiveness of training programs using assessments and feedback, resulting in measurable improvements in employee performance
- Designed leadership development programs, increasing internal promotion rates and building a strong leadership pipeline
- Managed L&D budgets efficiently, ensuring cost-effective training solutions that delivered positive ROI
Research Scholar
Pondicherry University
12.2010 - 03.2016
- The research was on engineering employability skill assessment framework for engineering graduates to identify the skill and capability gaps needs specifically to the IT sector funded by sector skill councils
- Developed the Engineering Skill framework based on Revised Bloom's Taxonomy of Higher-order thinking skills and tested it in four industry clusters to measure its effectiveness
- (Sample size -386)
Lead Business Skills
Tata Consultancy Services
11.2009 - 01.2010
- Lead the business skills team of the TCS initial learning program (ILP) across the global training centers
- Design curricula, content, and assessments to track and monitor the learning delivery and effectiveness
- Conferred with Employee Recognition Award for formulation & execution of innovative methods; case study and employee-led classroom sessions for better engagement of participants, which lead to a 3.93 rating for learning effectiveness
- Honored with Best Trainer Award in 2009-10 for effective delivery of behavioral skills training
Manager – Training
E s c u b e IT services
02.2003 - 04.2007
- Recruited, trained, and deployed more than 3000 engineering graduates for various Govt
- Projects, including the National e-governance program and state-wide IT literacy programs
- Best training Centre award by Trivandrum Management Association for practical skill development of engineering graduates
Education
Ph.D. - Management
Pondicherry Central University
Puducherry, India 12.2010 - 03.2016
MBA -
Asian School of Business
Trivandrum, India 04.2001 - 01.2009
Master of Arts - Sociology
Pondicherry University
Puducherry, India 04.2001 - 01.2004
B.Com. -
Kerala University
Trivandrum, India 04.2001 - 01.2000
Skills
Leadership development
Awards
- Ranked among India's Top 100 Learning and Development Leaders, World HRD Congress and Times Ascent, 02/2018
- Top 50 Training Leaders in South India, Asia Pacific HRD Congress and Times Ascent, 11/2017
- Jury member for People First HR Excellence Awards
- 2018
- 2021
- 2022
Accomplishments
v Conducted market analysis and feasibility studies for architectural design courses, leading to informed decisions on course offerings and vendor partnerships.
v Skill gap analysis of the architecture skills in national and international Architectural, design and MEP industry.
v Developed a comprehensive resource and budget plan, successfully onboarding vendors and initiating training programs.
v Drafted marketing strategies for product launches, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives and market needs.
v Evaluate the revenue generation models, financial implications, and cost and risk analysis for the project.
Timeline
Principal Consultant – Digital Learning and Talent Initiatives
RSP Design Consultants India Ltd
07.2024 - 09.2024
Group Head- Talent, Learning and Development
Presenova Management Solutions LLP
06.2023 - 04.2024
Director – Learning and Leadership Development
GITAM Deemed University
06.2020 - 06.2023
Learning Manager – Global L&D
GSK Consumer Healthcare India Ltd
12.2016 - 03.2020
Learning specialist | TNUSSP
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
03.2016 - 12.2016
Ph.D. - Management
Pondicherry Central University
12.2010 - 03.2016
Research Scholar
Pondicherry University
12.2010 - 03.2016
Lead Business Skills
Tata Consultancy Services
11.2009 - 01.2010
Manager – Training
E s c u b e IT services
02.2003 - 04.2007
MBA -
Asian School of Business
04.2001 - 01.2009
Master of Arts - Sociology
Pondicherry University
04.2001 - 01.2004
B.Com. -
Kerala University
04.2001 - 01.2000
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