KALPAN DESAI
Economic Times Emerging HR Leader & LinkedIn's Top Voice
Mumbai
Summary
With a strong HR domain knowledge and a proven track record of strategic-business partnering, culture-building, and organizational transformation. I have worked in MNCs and domestic companies, spread across key sectors of Banking, Broadcast, OTT, and Microfinance.
My strengths are in the fields of HR Strategy, Stakeholder Management, Culture, Leadership and succession, DEI, Talent Management, Change Management, Employer Branding, and Talent Acquisition.
I describe myself as a curious person, one who is deeply trusted, is accessible, and has a great sense of humor. My managers describe me as "highly self-motivated", "tactical in approach" & a "dream-chaser".
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
9
9
Certifications
1
1
Language
Work History
Vice President - Human Resources
Sony Pictures Networks
Mumbai
07.2019 - Current
- Trusted advisor to stakeholders, providing expert guidance and strategic direction on vital areas impacting People Experience (PX) such as manpower planning, organization design, recruitment, employee engagement, capability building, and performance management
- Concept to implementation of Rewards and recognition programs across businesses
- Identified high-potential employees, created succession plans for nearly 100 roles, and implemented talent development initiatives to ensure a smooth transition of key roles and minimized disruptions
- Developed and utilized HR analytics to gain insights into talent trends and make data-driven decisions to optimize talent strategies
- Created a positive and inclusive work environment that fostered employee engagement, satisfaction, and retention through recognition programs, work-life balance initiatives, competitive compensation, and growth opportunities, especially during COVID
- With a strategic focus on DEI and developing HR initiatives based on data-driven insights have successfully increased diversity by 22% Y-o-Y
- Introduced gamified assessment and AI-enabled ATS for recruitment, which resulted in a reduction of hiring costs by 45% and increased efficiency by 40%
- Strategized and successfully hired the entire team for Product, Technology, and Data Analytics of 150 employees in just 90 days with a mere 9% offer drop-outs
- Revenue and business impact-based performance reward mechanism designed for all the front-line employees
- Structured compensation and benefits according to market conditions and budget demands.
- Devised branding initiatives resulting in social media presence proliferation on LinkedIn and employer of choice on campuses.
Head HR & Vice President - Human Resources
Jana Small Finance Bank
Mumbai
09.2014 - 07.2017
- Member of the National Leadership Council and Zonal Leadership Committee, driving the strategic HR initiatives at a national and zonal level
- Built, led, and mentored the HR team of 25: 8 HR Business Partners, 9 Talent Acquisition Specialists, 3 HR Operations, 2 HR Analytics experts, and 3 L&D specialists, and managed an employee base of 5,500
- Collaborated with businesses to fully understand performance objectives and challenges, designed and implemented HR roadmap in conjunction to support the delivery of business's key performance indicators
- Orchestrated comprehensive Employee Experience (EX) initiatives that resulted in an impressive 25% reduction in attrition Y-oY.
- Maintained human resources regulatory compliance with local, state and federal laws.
Senior HR Business Partner & Head Talent Acquisition
IndiaCast Media (Internal movement from Viacom18)
Mumbai
04.2008 - 09.2014
- Developed the company's first-ever standardized disciplinary procedure and tracking system, minimizing legal risks, and ensuring fair and consistent discipline processes
- Led the company's participation in the Great Places To Work (GPTW) surveys in 2010 & and 2012, resulting in Viacom18 being declared the #1 place to work in the M&E industry
- Achieved an outstanding 80% reduction in early mortality (attrition within
- Headhunted, negotiated, and closed more than 15 leadership offers and numerous sign-on bonuses/relocation packages annually at international locations, attracting top talent and facilitating smooth onboarding
- Successfully managed workforce planning and employee mobility to internal offices, ensuring smooth transitions and calibrating the compensation
- Led investigations addressing workplace harassment, discrimination, and POSH, and tracked Employee Service Awards, ensuring a safe and inclusive work environment
- Enhanced organizational capabilities by developing IDP, and training the managers and team leads on the proper usage of competency mapping and learning maps
- Independently set up teams and defined HR policies and processes for offices at international locations in the USA, UK & UAE
- M&A Lead - HR Processes and Policies formation during Sun18 and IndiaCastUTV JV.
HR Generalist
GroupM (A WPP Company)
Mumbai
03.2007 - 03.2008
Management Trainee - Human Resources
Hindustan Times
Mumbai
07.2005 - 03.2007
Education
Masters in Human Resources -
Veer Narmad South Gujarat University
04.2003 - 04.2005
Bachelors in Mathematics -
Veer Narmad South Gujarat University
04.2000 - 04.2003
Skills
Succession planning
Recruitment
Compensation and benefits
MS Office
Change Management
Problem Solving
Critical Thinking
Organizational Design
Leadership
Talent Management
Employee Engagement
Certification
Job Evaluation - Hays
Additional Information
Stay at home Dad (Toronto, Canada) from Aug 2017 to Dec 2018
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Quote
Opportunities Don't happen.You create them.
Chris Grosser
Timeline
Vice President - Human Resources
Sony Pictures Networks
07.2019 - Current
Head HR & Vice President - Human Resources
Jana Small Finance Bank
09.2014 - 07.2017
Senior HR Business Partner & Head Talent Acquisition
IndiaCast Media (Internal movement from Viacom18)
04.2008 - 09.2014
HR Generalist
GroupM (A WPP Company)
03.2007 - 03.2008
Management Trainee - Human Resources
Hindustan Times
07.2005 - 03.2007
Masters in Human Resources -
Veer Narmad South Gujarat University
04.2003 - 04.2005
Bachelors in Mathematics -
Veer Narmad South Gujarat University
04.2000 - 04.2003