Rippling
Lakshmi Rai
Senior HR & Legal Professional
Mumbai
Summary
Result oriented and performance-driven HR professional with 16 years of experience aligning systems with business requirements, policies and regulatory requirements. Passionate about applying excellent organization and communication skills to manage and lead teams.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
2
2
Current stint
10
10
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Vice President-Human Resources & Global Programs
Firework
Mumbai
02.2020 - Current
- Spearheaded cross-functional initiatives across departments to achieve business goals for bottom-line profits.
- Resolved issues and recommended actions based on process and compliance reports.
- Established performance goals for department and provided methods for reaching milestones.
- Initiated on-time, under-budget project management to optimize performance.
- Coordinated and implemented effective training for over 20 Managers to improve hiring processes.
- Improved performance management system and introduced Talent Management and Succession Planning program to develop future leaders.
- Drove performance initiatives, facilitating higher employee retention by 2%
- Helped grow organization from 16 to 100+ headcount.
- Leading global programs and creating awareness on topics like DE&I, equal pay, talent management, POSH and equality at workplace
- Driving Mentor & Mentee programs, Coaching for senior leadership, Unbiased hiring training, Quarterly surveys and check-ins
Vice President of Human Resources
BW Business World
Mumbai
06.2019 - 01.2020
- Performed HR efficiencies, coordinated new hire orientations and provided onboarding and training for new employees.
- Liaised between multiple business divisions to improve communications.
- Established "open door" policy to encourage employee communications and resolution of issues.
- Developed comprehensive interviewing guides to improve candidate quality by evaluating both analytical and interpersonal attributes
- Recruited and hired four key leadership positions to strengthen management team
- Designed employee engagement strategies to improve morale, retain talent and maintain business continuity
Senior Manager-Legal
Sony Pictures Networks
Mumbai
02.2019 - 05.2019
- Managed team of two, overseeing multi-regional production plans.
- Delivered design and implementation of legal documentation framework for Studio Next-content Studio of Sony Pictures.
- Determined priorities and set policies for legal department
- Managed multiple, large-scale projects across Sony LIV and other platforms in multiple languages for Sony Pictures.
Head-Human Resources & Legal
Reliance Big Synergy Media Limited
Mumbai
11.2016 - 02.2019
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced atmosphere.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Developed and implemented performance improvement strategies and plans to promote continuous improvement.
- Worked within applicable standards, policies and regulatory guidelines to promote safe working environment.
- Resolved conflicts and negotiated mutually beneficial agreements between parties.
- Managed team of employees, overseeing hiring, training, and professional growth of employees.
Head of Human Resources
exchange4media Group
Mumbai
11.2012 - 10.2016
- Liaised between multiple business divisions to improve communications.
- Collaborated with legal and compliance teams to review paperwork, obtain feedback and procure available information for new training processes.
- Devised hiring and recruitment policies for 200+ employee company.
- Streamlined HR efficiencies, coordinated new hire orientations and provided onboarding and training for more than 100 new employees.
- Structured compensation and benefits according to market conditions and budget demands.
- Created and implemented forward-thinking initiatives to improve employee engagement.
- Reduced process gaps while supervising employees to achieve optimal productivity.
- Educated management on successful policy implementation and enforcement actions to prevent employee legal entanglements.
Assistant Manager of Human Resources
Sezal Entertainment & Media Ltd
Mumbai
10.2011 - 10.2012
- Scanned and maintained confidential employee information and records.
- Communicated with potential hires to provide clarity on expected tasks, compensation and policies.
- Monitored and handled employee claims involving performance-based and harassment incidents.
- Implemented performance review and motivational strategies to elevate HR team results.
- Managed full-cycle recruiting process by sourcing, screening and interviewing candidates
- Conducted company-wide town hall meetings to convey updates
Senior Recruitment Specialist
Mangalam Placement Private Limited
Mumbai
12.2010 - 09.2011
- Leveraged social media platforms and online job boards to advertise open positions and engage with potential candidates.
- Followed up with notable applicants sourced via industry-specific pipelines, events and job fairs.
- Generated specific candidate pool for career opportunities through strategic placement of advertisements, evaluation of applicant credentials, and conducting initial interviews and pre-screening assessments.
- Compiled and produced qualified candidates' information for hiring manager review and liaised between parties to coordinate formal, management interviews.
Recruitment Specialist
Second, HR solutions
Delhi
07.2008 - 09.2010
- Hired employees and initiated new hire paperwork process.
- Promptly corresponded with applicants and coordinated and conducted interviews.
- Generated specific candidate pool for career opportunities through strategic placement of advertisements, evaluation of applicant credentials, and conducting initial interviews and pre-screening assessments.
- Supported management in developing and implementing personnel policies and procedures.
- Operated and maintained applicant tracking and candidate management systems.
- Cultivated in-depth understanding of legal industry trends and hiring desires.
- Developed recruiting strategies to identify qualified candidates and build network.
Legal Advisor
GE Money
Mumbai
10.2005 - 07.2007
- Filed timely case pleadings to meet firm deadlines.
- Supported legal departments in company with achieving and maintaining legal compliance.
- Collaborated with human resources and outside counsel to protect company from legal claims.
- Communicated advice about areas of negotiable instrument, section 138 i.e. check bouncing case laws with internal business partners.
- Offered in-house training to company personnel on relevant aspects of law.
- Drafted agreements, contracts and other legal documents
- Attended hearings as representative of GE Money
Education
Foundation Degree - Intellectual Property Law, and Information Technology
Indian Law Institute
08.2017 - 12.2017
DHRM - Human Resources Development
Savitribai Phule Pune University
01.2007 - 12.2007
Master's Degree - English Language and Literature
Nagpur University
06.2003 - 05.2005
LL. B - Law
Nagpur University
07.2002 - 06.2005
Bachelor’s Degree - Psychology
Nagpur University
07.1999 - 05.2002
Economics, Art & Culture
Kendriya Vidyalaya, History
06.1998 - 04.1999
Skills
Human resources processes
Human resources team leadership
Recruitment
Perfomance Management
People Operations
Accomplishments
- Recognized as a "Best Leading Lawyers-2022"
- Human Resources: Leadership and Strategic Impact Business and Employer Services - Professional Certification - SHRM
- Unconscious Bias - Project Management Institute Houston
- Train-The-Trainer: POSH at Workplace – SHRM
- Awarded employee of the month for the consecutive two months in 2012 for overachieving the assigned recruitment target
Software
Greenhouse
Lattice
Airtable
Salesforce
Mondaycom
SAP
Billcom
Canva & Powtoon
Timeline
Vice President-Human Resources & Global Programs
Firework
02.2020 - Current
Vice President of Human Resources
BW Business World
06.2019 - 01.2020
Senior Manager-Legal
Sony Pictures Networks
02.2019 - 05.2019
Foundation Degree - Intellectual Property Law, and Information Technology
Indian Law Institute
08.2017 - 12.2017
Head-Human Resources & Legal
Reliance Big Synergy Media Limited
11.2016 - 02.2019
Head of Human Resources
exchange4media Group
11.2012 - 10.2016
Assistant Manager of Human Resources
Sezal Entertainment & Media Ltd
10.2011 - 10.2012
Senior Recruitment Specialist
Mangalam Placement Private Limited
12.2010 - 09.2011
Recruitment Specialist
Second, HR solutions
07.2008 - 09.2010
DHRM - Human Resources Development
Savitribai Phule Pune University
01.2007 - 12.2007
Legal Advisor
GE Money
10.2005 - 07.2007
Master's Degree - English Language and Literature
Nagpur University
06.2003 - 05.2005
LL. B - Law
Nagpur University
07.2002 - 06.2005
Bachelor’s Degree - Psychology
Nagpur University
07.1999 - 05.2002
Economics, Art & Culture
Kendriya Vidyalaya, History
06.1998 - 04.1999