Sapana Payyazhi
Chennai
Summary
I am constantly inspired by the limitless potential within individuals. "No one is here to fail," a belief that drives everything I do. My passion lies in helping people uncover their purpose, and supporting them as they navigate their unique journeys. With over 20 years of experience in Human Resources, I have grown into the roles of enabler, people strategist, leader, coach, and culture builder. I am deeply committed to understanding the nuances of human connection within organizations, and crafting strategies that empower people to thrive. My mission is to foster both personal and professional growth, champion collaboration, and nurture a positive, inclusive workplace culture — a space where every individual feels seen, valued, and inspired to bring their best self forward.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Human Resources Officer
Qube Cinema Technologies
Chennai
01.2020 - Current
- Work closely with the leaders, enabling their business organization and team with the needed changes and upgrades to be successful in the market.
- Creating and enabling a culture where innovation and process improvements are a way of life, keeping in mind our customers and colleagues.
- Revisit the existing organization design and processes to enable automation and digitization.
- Drive a culture of performance and small wins, leading to business growth.
- Direct the HR team to excel and maintain global standards, keeping employee benefits and motivation as its core values.
- Look for possibilities to strengthen communication, both internal and external. The key is to keep 'listening.'
- Lead and work closely with the communication team on employer branding.
- Recently started leading a new business vertical.
General Manager - Human Resources
Mahindra Holidays and Resorts India Ltd
Mumbai
04.2019 - 01.2020
- Head of HR for the sales organization, with 2,800 employees, focusing on productivity and quality.
- Work closely with the MD and the CHRO, revisiting the HR policies and processes to ensure effectiveness and ease of operations.
- Lead the Diversity and Inclusion Council for the organization at the group level.
- Worked closely with the MD on building a credible HR function that is responsive to the business and employees.
Head – Human Resources (Corporate & Customer Acquisition)
Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited, A Fairfax Company
Chennai
05.2015 - 03.2019
- Drive the Talent Agenda for the Organization through processes and interventions.
- Manage change during the merger and reorganization.
- Manage the adoption of the rebranded organization through HR and communication initiatives.
- Design and roll out cross-functional KPIs and a comprehensive performance review program focusing on organization, unit, and individual performance.
- Formulated a revised ESOP plan focusing on organization performance, retention and talent.
- HRMS, payroll integration, and transition.
- Succession Planning for Leadership & Senior Management.
- Retention Plan and Implementation for the Sales Team.
- Gamification-Based Training Plan.
- Employer branding.
- Assessment Centre for the Sales Team.
- Zero-Based Operations – Plan, Implement, and Monitor.
Manager – Resourcing & Engagement
DHL Logistics Pvt. Ltd
Mumbai
01.2013 - 04.2015
- Responsible for country-level talent acquisition aligned to business objectives, with a focus on the cost of hiring and quality.
- Manage various aspects of employee engagement at the organizational level, such as reward and recognition, employee opinion surveys, and various communication interventions.
- Talent Development Programs, such as the Management Trainee Program, Graduate Trainee Program, and High Potential Program.
- Responsible for defining SMART KPIs across the organization, with interdepartmental dependency.
- Managed cross-BU collaboration and initiatives.
Manager – Human Resources
Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited
Mumbai
02.2012 - 12.2012
- Responsible for HR Operations for the West region.
- Worked closely with the Head – HR on defining and implementing the HR Policies.
- Responsible for the Talent Development of the region.
HR Lead
Future Group (now part of Reliance Retail))
Mumbai
05.2005 - 01.2012
- Started as a Management Trainee in 2005, moving to different roles at Corporate Office and later to a Regional HR role for their Lifestyle Formats, Central & Brand Factory.
- Managed PMS for the entire business unit of 2000 employees.
- Responsible for Employee Life Cycle for Corporate Employees.
- Talent Acquisition for Store Manager and above.
- New Store Ventures.
- Training Plan & Implementation for the Stores.
- Talent Development programs for Managers & Above.
- Productivity & People Cost Control.
- Management Trainee Program.
Education
Master of Business Administration -
Amrita School of Business, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
Coimbatore03.2005
Bachelor of Commerce -
Vimala College
Thrissur05.2003
Schooling -
Kendriya Vidyalaya
Certified Executive Coach -
International Coach Federation
Skills
- Culture building
- Coaching
- Talent Management
- Automation
- Organization Design
- Strategy
- Performance Management
- Managing diversity
Languages
- English
- Hindi
- Malayalam
- Tamil
Timeline
Chief Human Resources Officer
Qube Cinema Technologies
01.2020 - Current
General Manager - Human Resources
Mahindra Holidays and Resorts India Ltd
04.2019 - 01.2020
Head – Human Resources (Corporate & Customer Acquisition)
Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited, A Fairfax Company
05.2015 - 03.2019
Manager – Resourcing & Engagement
DHL Logistics Pvt. Ltd
01.2013 - 04.2015
Manager – Human Resources
Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited
02.2012 - 12.2012
HR Lead
Future Group (now part of Reliance Retail))
05.2005 - 01.2012
Master of Business Administration -
Amrita School of Business, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
Bachelor of Commerce -
Vimala College
Schooling -
Kendriya Vidyalaya
Certified Executive Coach -
International Coach Federation
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