Payal Arora
Summary
Result-oriented HR leader with over 19 years of global experience in Human Resource Management Strategic partner with a proven track record of developing and executing HR strategies that align with business goals Adept at fostering a positive culture, building high performing teams, and delivering outstanding employee support and engagement Excellent ability to address and implement strategic plans for transformational initiatives, talent acquisition, talent management, employee relations, compensation practices, succession planning and diversity Known for leveraging data-driven insights to achieve service excellence and promoting a culture of empowerment and accountability Experience in managing HR and Employee Relations in unionized and non-unionized environments A certified coach from Grant Thornton
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Regional HR Director, India and ANZ
Oxford University Press
02.2023 - Current
- Key member of the Leadership team in India, Australia and New Zealand
- Lead and manage the HR team in Talent acquisition, Learning & Development, Employee Engagement, Business Partnering, HR Operations, Payroll and Performance Management
- Strong stakeholder management while working with the Managing Director, Functional Heads, International HR partners, Employees and External partners to align business strategies with people programs
- Drove People agenda during major transformation projects involving structural realignments, role evaluation, spans and layers analysis, and operational efficiencies
- Develop the annual people budget and provide strategic input on wage bills, succession planning, talent mapping, and HR initiatives, with a focus on maximizing potential and performance
- Led the implementation of ‘People Week' resulting in upskilling and building capabilities of internal talent and supporting career goals of Key Talent
- Implemented a data-driven Employee Productivity Matrix and Performance Support Program
- Successfully increased employee engagement by over 20 percent through targeted initiatives, including open feedback channels, creating growth opportunities, and consistent recognition
- Direct operational processes and lead a team across multiple time zones for global employee support, ensuring compliance with local statutory mandates
- Drive Compliance & Investigations as Presiding officer of POSH ICC
- Championed initiatives to create an inclusive workplace, promoting diversity and mentorship within the organization
Associate Director, HRBP
Oxford University Press
10.2019 - 02.2023
HRBP
Oxford University Press
09.2015 - 10.2019
HR Manager
Samsung Electronics
11.2012 - 09.2015
- Develop and institutionalize the Campus Program for Samsung India
- Lead the complete lifecycle of campus processes from forecasting, planning, and budgeting for Campus hiring to shortlisting, screening, interviewing, onboarding, and role assignment
- Work with hiring panels and conduct recruitment drives at Campuses across the country, hiring candidates for diverse roles
- Design strategies to build Brand awareness at Campuses
- Responsible for designing and coordinating cross-functional stints, mid & final reviews for Campus Hires
- Provide Business Partner support to all Campus Hires managing the entire gamut of HR processes for them
- Managed all Internal Communications related to Campus initiatives
- Lead the Recruitment Excellence Cell that Strategizes, Designs, and implements standard operating processes for Talent Acquisition
- Design and implement Career Development and Assessment Centers for Top Talent
Talent Acquisition Lead & HR Program Manager for Campus Recruits
Nokia
12.2010 - 10.2012
- Provide end to end recruitment solutions to business units including sourcing, pre-screening, HR interviews, offer negotiations and joining formalities
- Account management and relationship management with stakeholders
- Adept at handling requirements across levels – Middle/Senior & Leadership levels
- Design various campus branding activities & conduct recruitment drives at premier Business Schools
- Design and deliver Nokia's Corporate Presentation at premier business schools
- Plan and conduct engagement activities like guest lectures and case study competitions at campus
- Design a robust pre-screening and interview process for campus recruitment
- Redesign and implement the Management Trainee & Summer Internship Program
- Provide HR consulting support and manage all people processes & HR initiatives like Induction, Training, Performance Management, PPO's & Role assignments for Management Trainees & Summer Interns
- Won the Kudos Award for handling recruitments for the financial services division; Received appreciations from the CEO for campus initiatives
Staffing Associate
Microsoft Corporation
01.2008 - 10.2010
- Support the Entertainment & Devices (E&D) Division with internal, external, and global recruitment process from requisition initiation to final placement
- Experience with the complete lifecycle of a hire – sourcing, basic qualification screening, interviewing, offers negotiation, and fulfillment
- Consult on open positions and develop plans to fill them ensuring compliance with Federal guidelines
- Conduct qualification searches and create a pipeline of qualified candidates for further assessment
- Participate in events for candidate generation such as job fairs and campus placement events
- Subject Matter Expert on international transfers, visa processing, relocation, and business reporting
- Vendor management between Interview scheduling vendor (SourceRight) and E&D Staffing
- Developed Staffing Scorecard to analyze key metrics like relocation and sign-on bonus spends
- Received HR award for Excellence in Collaboration
Technical Recruiter
Resourcesoft Inc.
06.2007 - 11.2007
- Developed and implemented sourcing strategies including referrals, postings, direct sourcing/cold calling, and networking to build a qualified pool of candidates for client-site projects and in-house center of excellence
- Used job boards like Dice, Monster, Hot Jobs, and Career Builder to successfully source the right candidates
- Screened and interviewed candidates to ensure they match the client's requirements
- Selected qualified candidates, negotiated, and finalized compensation
- Maintained constant contact with candidates, resolved issues, increased motivation, and reduced attrition
Human Resources Executive
Coca-Cola India
03.2005 - 01.2007
- Regularized & redesigned the Induction Program at Coca-Cola India
- Created the Associate Guide - a reference material for new associates providing relevant company information
- Initiated the Buddy Program to help every new associate integrate with the company
- Conducted Training needs Assessment for all Coca-Cola associates in association with Thomas International
- Created & designed soft skills Training Calendar for Coca-Cola India extensively used across the company
- Identified & Benchmarked trainers and ensured roll out of Training Programs as per the Training Calendar
- HR Generalist specializing in the following areas: Employee Engagement, HR Scorecard & Performance Management, Diversity, Internal Communication & HR Marketing
Education
Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management (MBA - HR) - HR
EMPI Business School
01.2003 - 01.2005
Bachelors in Computer Applications - undefined
Invertis Institute of Management Studies
01.2000 - 01.2003
Skills
HR policies and procedures
Timeline
Regional HR Director, India and ANZ
Oxford University Press
02.2023 - Current
Associate Director, HRBP
Oxford University Press
10.2019 - 02.2023
HRBP
Oxford University Press
09.2015 - 10.2019
HR Manager
Samsung Electronics
11.2012 - 09.2015
Talent Acquisition Lead & HR Program Manager for Campus Recruits
Nokia
12.2010 - 10.2012
Staffing Associate
Microsoft Corporation
01.2008 - 10.2010
Technical Recruiter
Resourcesoft Inc.
06.2007 - 11.2007
Human Resources Executive
Coca-Cola India
03.2005 - 01.2007
Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management (MBA - HR) - HR
EMPI Business School
01.2003 - 01.2005
Bachelors in Computer Applications - undefined
Invertis Institute of Management Studies
01.2000 - 01.2003
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