POOJA CHAUHAN
Mumbai,MH
Summary
Achievement-oriented HR professional with overall experience of nearly 16 years with Fortune 500 MNCs, having best-in-class HR practices. Proven track record of successful implementation of people strategies, programs, and initiatives in line with business objectives. Ability to work in matrix structures, managing multiple business units in a global environment. Skilled in creating and implementing talent solutions, acting as a trusted advisor to management, an employee advocate, a change champion, and a culture proponent.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Vice President, Human Resources
Paymate India Pvt Ltd. (Fintech)
11.2022 - 11.2025
- Drove organizational growth across CEMEA and APAC-established new entities in Dubai, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, and New Zealand.
- Partnered with executive leadership in strategic planning to shape HR initiatives aligned with global business goals.
- Built and implemented multi-country governance frameworks to ensure compliance, scalability, and agility.
- Streamlined HR operations by implementing the Keka HRMS platform, improving process efficiency, and data accuracy across regions.
- Led global performance management processes to strengthen accountability, development, and talent outcomes.
- Advised leadership on compensation and benefits strategies, benchmarking across industries for competitiveness.
- Oversaw talent acquisition processes to attract top-tier candidates.
- Collaborated with executives on workforce planning and organizational design.
- Drove organization development initiatives focused on enhancing employee engagement, culture, and retention.
Director-Human Resources
Phreesia (Healthtech)
Mumbai
01.2022 - 11.2022
- Built the HR function from inception to support and scale a workforce of over 1,000.
- Partnered with executive leadership on organizational design and workforce planning.
- Established comprehensive HR policies, processes, and best-practice frameworks.
- Implemented Zoho People HRMS for 1,000 employees, enhancing automation, data accuracy, and HR service delivery.
- Designed and presented a comprehensive People Analytics Dashboard for board-level reviews, enabling data-driven decision-making.
- Drove end-to-end talent management to attract, develop, and retain top talent.
- Led employee engagement strategies: HRBP connects, EWS, and Great Place to Work certification.
- Implemented performance management systems aligned to business and individual goals.
- Designed competitive compensation and benefits programs to support retention.
- Strengthened HR operations through robust policies, streamlined processes, and compliance governance.
Human Capital Lead, APAC (AVP)
United Healthcare India Pvt. Ltd. (Optum Global Solutions, United Health Group)
09.2013 - 10.2018
- Led the HR function end-to-end for India and China, partnering with CXOs to drive the people agenda, organizational capability, and business performance.
- Re-structured the Sales Operating Model to enhance service delivery and improve sales margins; led complete change management, including communication, sensitization, coaching, and rollout.
- Strengthened operational efficiency by aligning capacity planning with business needs, optimizing FTE vs. temporary staffing models and revamping grade structures through job evaluations with Total Rewards COE.
- Designed and implemented a Business Process Quality Management function and a Functional Training Organization to improve delivery effectiveness and functional capability.
- Built and launched Sales & Operations Incentive Programs, redesigned variable compensation metrics, introduced objective KPIs, and led end-to-end communication and rollout with the Total Rewards COE.
- Provided end-to-end HR support for establishing a new legal entity in China, managed HR due diligence, and supported integration with the parent entity post-org realignment.
- Led organization design reviews, redefining structures, spans, and roles to improve functional efficiency and support business growth.
- Enhanced HR service delivery by streamlining processes, strengthening labor compliance through ER COE partnership, and aligning policies with Group HR standards.
- Designed and executed change management strategies for organizational transitions, ensuring employee awareness, alignment, and adoption.
- Elevated employee experience by leading the full engagement lifecycle, creating the 'UConnect' communication framework for branch offices, and launching the 'ASPIRE' Rewards and Recognition platform.
- Built leadership and managerial capability by revamping the New Employee Orientation, enabling HiPo development, launching the First-Time Manager program, and facilitating team-building interventions.
- Led the complete performance management cycle, including annual reviews, calibration, and merit cycles; partnered with Finance and Business on manpower planning and budgeting.
Manager HRBP
Maersk Global Service Centres (A.P Moller Group)
07.2010 - 09.2013
- Supported Sales, Trade, and Marketing teams across India with a total headcount of over 1,200.
- Led recruitment strategy deployment and supported hiring for business-critical, niche commercial roles.
- Drove all core HR processes: talent management, succession planning, performance management, engagement, and manpower planning.
- Enabled talent reviews and career development planning for critical roles across commercial verticals.
- Drove employee engagement programs, feedback analysis, action planning, and manager capability building.
- Ensured smooth execution of annual HR cycles, including goal setting, appraisals, mid-year reviews, and compensation planning.
Assistant Manager - HR
Maersk Global Service Centres (A.P Moller Group)
Mumbai
06.2008 - 06.2010
- Led the corporate HR function for a large multi-site GCC, driving enterprise-wide HR strategy, HR governance, capability building, and HR transformation.
- Directed HR policy governance and process standardization across three sites supporting over 8,000 employees.
- Owned enterprise-level charters, including Talent Management, Leadership Development, L&D, HR Automation, Employee Engagement, and HR MIS & Reporting.
- Led the enterprise-wide HRMS Automation Project—conceptualization to implementation—covering Time & Attendance, Leave Management, and Employee Life Cycle Management across all India sites.
- Drove policy benchmarking with the ITES sector; implemented new policies, including Mediclaim/Health Insurance, and developed comprehensive Internal Operating Procedures (IOP).
- Owned and led the Learning and Development vertical by introducing leadership development frameworks, development centers, individual development plans, and first-time manager programs.
- Successfully revamped the New Employee Orientation Program, ensuring brand-aligned onboarding across sites.
- Designed and delivered customized training for KPO teams in Communication, Team Building, Negotiation, Project Management, Managerial Effectiveness, and Self-Awareness.
- Built a leadership pipeline through structured HiPo identification and a validated succession planning framework.
- Led a job-levelling exercise using Mercer IPE methodology, aligning all job roles with global frameworks.
- Managed compensation benchmarking, market analysis, and annual salary review cycles.
Executive-Human Resources
Saint Gobain Gyproc
03.2006 - 07.2008
- Managed end-to-end HR functions at corporate level for Saint-Gobain Gyproc Pvt. Ltd.
- Delivered recruitment and selection processes to attract top talent.
- Facilitated training and development programs to enhance employee skills.
- Implemented performance management systems to evaluate employee performance.
- Promoted employee engagement initiatives to improve workplace culture.
Finance Executive
P&O Nedlloyd IT Services Pvt. Ltd.
Pune
08.2002 - 10.2003
- Performing ‘Vendor Payment Accounts Payable Function’, for Southern Region, USA.
- Co-ordination & Report Generation for Southern Region, USA.
Education
PGDBM - HR & IT
Balaji Institute for Management & Human Resource Development, Sri Balaji Society
Pune01.2006
B.Com. -
Ness Wadia College of Commerce, Pune University
Pune01.2002
ICWAI Foundation -
Institute of Cost & Works Accountants of India
01.2000
Skills
- Strategic Planning
- Business Partnering
- Performance Management
- Culture Building
- Talent Management
- HR Transformation
- Change Management
- Employee Engagement/ Relations
- Organization Development
- Learning & Development
- HR Governance
- Conflict Resolution
- Stakeholder Collaboration
- Effective Communication
Certification
- PPA (Personality Profile Analysis) & TST (Test for Selection & Training) from Thomas Assessments Pvt. Ltd.
- PI (Predictive Index) from Praendex Management Resources Pvt. Ltd.
Notable Accomplishments
- Sapphire Award for Performance: Consistently improved Employee Engagement scores year-on-year from 2013 onward, driving higher morale, stronger retention, and improved workplace culture (UHG)
- Amethyst Award for Innovation: Conceptualised and launched a comprehensive Wellness Program across India offices, significantly enhancing employee wellbeing and organizational health(UHG)
- Award of Excellence for HRMS Implementation: Recognized for outstanding contribution to HRMS project management and successful implementation across India sites (Maersk GSC)
- Award of Excellence towards Leadership Development: Introduced the Competency Framework and Leadership Development Architecture for senior leaders, strengthening capability building and succession readiness across the organization (Maersk GSC)
Trainings And Workshops Attended
- Mercer’s IPE (International Position Evaluation) Methodology used extensively as a job evaluation tool
- ‘Interviewing Skills & BEI (Behavioural Event Interviewing)’ by Mustafa Muchala
- Structured Thinking & Problem Solving organized by Chamber of Commerce, Mumbai
- Basics of PEX (Process Excellence)
- Workshop on Recruitment & Selection organized by Middle Earth Consultants
Industry Exposure
- Manufacturing
- ITES/BPO
- Healthcare and Insurance
- Fintech
Personal Information
- Mumbai
- Date of Birth: 11/01/81
Timeline
Vice President, Human Resources
Paymate India Pvt Ltd. (Fintech)
11.2022 - 11.2025
Director-Human Resources
Phreesia (Healthtech)
01.2022 - 11.2022
Human Capital Lead, APAC (AVP)
United Healthcare India Pvt. Ltd. (Optum Global Solutions, United Health Group)
09.2013 - 10.2018
Manager HRBP
Maersk Global Service Centres (A.P Moller Group)
07.2010 - 09.2013
Assistant Manager - HR
Maersk Global Service Centres (A.P Moller Group)
06.2008 - 06.2010
Executive-Human Resources
Saint Gobain Gyproc
03.2006 - 07.2008
Finance Executive
P&O Nedlloyd IT Services Pvt. Ltd.
08.2002 - 10.2003
PGDBM - HR & IT
Balaji Institute for Management & Human Resource Development, Sri Balaji Society
B.Com. -
Ness Wadia College of Commerce, Pune University
ICWAI Foundation -
Institute of Cost & Works Accountants of India