Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Gururaj Kulkarni

Gururaj Kulkarni

Chief Operating Officer - COO/COS
Bangalore

Summary

Dynamic and results-driven Head - Chief Operating Officer(COO) with over 20 years of extensive experience in IT and Operations. Proven track record in spearheading reporting, steering, and project management initiatives to drive operational excellence and business growth. Adept at developing and implementing strategic plans to optimize organizational performance and streamline processes. Skilled in overseeing complex projects, ensuring alignment with company objectives, and delivering high-quality outcomes within budget and timeline constraints. Strong leadership abilities combined with exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills to drive continuous improvement and operational efficiency. Passionate about fostering collaborative environments and empowering teams to achieve success.

Overview

20
20
years of professional experience
8
8
Certifications

Work History

Head - Chief Operating Office (COO/COS)

Societe Generale Global Solution Centre
04.2016 - Current
  • Spearheaded efforts as Head-COO/COS - Reporting, Steering, and Projects at SG GSC, driving operational and financial steering simplification initiatives.
  • Identified and executed process optimization strategies within the IT team, leveraging automation and standardization measures to boost productivity and reduce overhead costs.
  • Conducting comprehensive financial analysis and forecasting exercises, offering insights into budget allocation and strategic cost-saving opportunities.
  • Defined and monitored key performance indicators (KPIs) to enable data-driven decision-making and foster continuous improvement efforts.
  • Overseeing the development, management, and monitoring of staff budgets, ensuring precise forecasting and cost control in collaboration with finance and departmental stakeholders.
  • Managed Business Impact Analyses (BIA) and Continuity of Service Level Agreements (CSLA), implementing alert mechanisms for annual resiliency tests and adherence to mandatory checks and actions.
  • Evaluate resource requirements strategically to support organizational goals, ensuring alignment with the Pyramid Staff Plan and demand management initiatives.
  • Improved office operations by implementing automation for client correspondence, record tracking, and data communications.
  • Developed internal requirements and standards to mitigate regulatory risks and liability across programs.
  • Led the setup of the Reporting Factory for the department, fostering collaboration and alignment with transformation goals in coordination with onshore counterparts.
  • Collaborated closely with stakeholders across departments and business units to gather feedback and ensure buy-in for proposed strategies and transformation roadmap.
  • Provided guidance, communication, and support throughout the change management process, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration.
  • Playing a key role in managing transformation initiatives, focusing on achieving savings targets and supporting the implementation of Objectives and Key Results (OKR) initiatives.
  • Collaboration with the Global Communication team member to rollout communication and marketing strategies, effectively communicating transformation initiatives to stakeholders.
  • Proactively cultivated and nurtured strong relationships with internal and onshore partners, fostering trust and collaboration through regular communication and engagement.
  • Implemented and enriched governance with partners, participating in Global EXCO and events to ensure alignment with organizational objectives.
  • Orchestrated joint initiatives, workshops, and cross-functional projects between internal teams and onshore partners to drive innovation and value creation.
  • Conducted regular reviews and assessments to evaluate partnership performance, identifying improvement areas and implementing corrective measures as necessary.
  • Led and participated in various strategic meetings and forums to ensure alignment with organizational goals and objectives.
  • Provided support for data needs at the central function level, internal audits, and other requirements, ensuring compliance and adherence to established standards.
  • Key role in departmental quarterly forecasting and observance, contributing to accurate forecasting and budget adherence.

Principal Consultant, PMO

Genpact Headstrong Capital Markets
08.2009 - 04.2016
  • Led PMO operations, including preparing and sharing VMO dashboards, budgeting, forecasting, and driving compliance with various parameters.
  • Worked closely with leadership teams to assess resourcing requirements and opportunities, ensuring alignment with project demands and organizational goals.
  • Managed resource planning, sourcing, onboarding, and contract management processes, optimizing resource utilization and project efficiency.
  • Maintained open communication by delivering regular project status updates to customers, ensuring transparency and alignment throughout project lifecycles.
  • Developed and implemented comprehensive project plans and budgets, facilitating successful project execution and resource allocation.
  • Monitored project progress, identified risks, and implemented corrective actions as necessary to ensure project success and mitigate potential issues.
  • Ensured the quality of deliverables by verifying compliance with specifications before submission to clients, maintaining high standards of work.
  • Reported project budget, progress, and technical problems to managers regularly, facilitating informed decision-making and resolution of project issues.
  • Scheduled and facilitated meetings between project stakeholders to discuss deliverables, schedules, and conflicts, fostering collaboration and alignment.
  • Analyses project performance data to identify areas for improvement, driving continuous improvement efforts and optimizing project processes.
  • Managed vendor relationships, sourcing, vetting, and overseeing vendors to accomplish project goals effectively.
  • Facilitated workshops to gather project requirements and user feedback, ensuring alignment with project objectives and stakeholder expectations.
  • Collaborated with project accountants on invoice closure and revenue recognition, ensuring accurate financial management and reporting.
  • Implemented transition plans to evaluate and define PMO models, templates, and practices, driving process improvements and efficiency gains.
  • Identified project risks and collaborated with internal stakeholders on mitigation strategies, ensuring project success and risk mitigation.
  • Collaborated with business development managers for revenue reporting and analysis, ensuring accurate financial reporting and analysis.
  • Conducted client-wise project margin analysis, providing insights into project profitability and performance.
  • Managed bench resources effectively, optimizing resource allocation and utilization across projects.

Work Leader

Fidelity Investments
03.2004 - 08.2009
  • Led a process focused on US Insurance and Annuities Account Setup, ensuring efficient and accurate handling of account setup procedures.
  • Contributed to a project related to the US 401K plan, leveraging expertise to support project objectives and deliverables.
  • Managed day-to-day activities to achieve key deliverables, ensuring operational efficiency and timely completion of tasks.
  • Supervised a calling team responsible for contacting US Insurance Organizations to obtain taxed amounts on behalf of Fidelity Customers, facilitating smooth communication and information gathering.
  • Coordinated closely with onshore management, actively seeking new business opportunities, and nurturing existing relationships to exceed client expectations.
  • Earned the trust and confidence of US management and senior managers by consistently delivering high-quality work and maintaining exceptional standards.
  • Provided comprehensive training to team members on various US Insurance concepts, demonstrating technical expertise and enhancing team capabilities.
  • Handled various reports to assess process health and performance, taking proactive measures to address any issues or concerns.
  • Collaborated with the Transition Team to ensure successful transition processes, facilitating seamless transitions and minimizing disruptions.
  • Conducted interviews as per organizational needs, actively participating in the recruitment and selection process to onboard top talent.
  • Participated in Business Continuity Planning (BCP) and Disaster Recovery Planning (DRP) activities, including Call Tree Tests, to ensure readiness and resilience in emergency situations.

Education

Master of Commerce - Insurance And Management

Karnataka University, Dharwad
04.2001 -

Bachelor of Commerce - Income Tax And Cost Accounting

Karnataka University, Dharwad
04.2001 -

Skills

Strategic Leadership

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Certification

Certified AI & Automation in MS Excel from Skill Nation

Timeline

Certified AI & Automation in MS Excel from Skill Nation

12-2023

Certified AI Tool Workshop from Be10x

12-2023

Certified MS PowerPoint Workshop from SubMastery

07-2021

Certified Advanced Excel & Power BI from Skill Nation

05-2021

Certified Data Analytics Workshop from yLogic

03-2021

Data Analytics in Power BI Workshop by Leonardo Karpinski

03-2021

Certified Creating Effective Dashboard from Skill Nation

03-2021
Head - Chief Operating Office (COO/COS) - Societe Generale Global Solution Centre
04.2016 - Current
Principal Consultant, PMO - Genpact Headstrong Capital Markets
08.2009 - 04.2016

Lean Six Sigma - Yellow Belt Certified

08-2005
Work Leader - Fidelity Investments
03.2004 - 08.2009
Karnataka University - Master of Commerce, Insurance And Management
04.2001 -
Karnataka University - Bachelor of Commerce, Income Tax And Cost Accounting
04.2001 -
Gururaj KulkarniChief Operating Officer - COO/COS