SATISH KUMAR
Head of Human Resources
Gurgaon
Summary
Strategic HR leader with over 25 years of experience driving organizational transformation, talent development, and employee engagement in the hospitality sector across India and South Asia. Recognized for aligning HR initiatives with business objectives, fostering leadership pipelines, and enhancing workplace culture. Award-winning professional known for innovative HR strategies and exemplary leadership in challenging business environments.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
5
5
Certifications
3
3
Languages
Work History
Sr. Director, Talent & Culture
Accor India & South Asia
Gurgaon
07.2020 - Current
- Spearheaded HR operations for 58 hotels across 27 cities, overseeing 10,485 rooms and 9,000 employees
- Led workforce restructuring during pandemic, ensuring right-sizing while maintaining morale and operational continuity
- Launched 'Heartist Gratitude Week,' driving employee engagement and strengthening employer branding
- Achieved 64% internal promotion rate for General Manager roles and implemented INES in 98% of operating hotels
- Enhanced employee engagement, achieving a regional score of 9.2 in 2023
- Oversaw pre-opening and talent ramp-up for India’s first Raffles property in Udaipur
Director of Learning & Talent Development
Accor India & South Asia
Gurgaon
02.2012 - 06.2020
- Established AccorHotels Academie India, recognized for pioneering employee development programs
- Drove the opening of 40 properties in India, ensuring robust talent acquisition and training frameworks
- Developed leadership pipelines, with 50% of General Manager positions filled through fast-track talent programs
- Achieved an 85% retention rate for high-potential talent and introduced the flagship 'New Gen Leaders' program, attracting over 100 graduates annually
- Received the Golden Bernache 2018 for Service Excellence and featured in Jombay's 'India HR 40 under 40' list (2017)
Learning & Development Manager
Novotel Ibis Bengaluru Outer Ring Road
Bengaluru
11.2010 - 02.2012
- Facilitated leadership and brand-specific training for the pre-opening of India’s first combo property (547 rooms)
- Coordinated nationwide campus recruitment, bringing top talent into the organization
- Evaluated the effectiveness of training programs using key performance indicators and adjusted content as needed.
- Increased employee satisfaction scores related to career development opportunities by implementing a transparent internal promotion process.
- Championed a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging employees to actively participate in ongoing professional development activities.
- Conducted thorough needs assessments for individual departments to tailor training solutions accordingly.
- Streamlined onboarding processes for new hires, resulting in reduced time to productivity.
Learning & Development Manager
Sheraton Park Hotel & Towers (ITC Hotels)
Chennai
10.2006 - 10.2010
- Designed and delivered executive coaching programs, increasing leadership effectiveness
- Partnered with department heads to align training needs with business objectives
Education
The Future CHRO Programme - Human Resources Management
Indian School of Business
Hyderabad, India 09.2024 - Current
Skills
Strategic Workforce Planning
Organizational Development
Talent Acquisition
Succession Planning
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives
Leadership Development
Executive Coaching
Employee Engagement
Retention Strategies
HR Technology Implementation
Crisis Management
Workforce Restructuring
Pre-Opening Leadership
Expansion Leadership
Global HR Operations
Certification
AON Certified Reward Professional
Awardsrecognition
- Golden Bernache Award 2018, Service Excellence in Talent Development
- India HR 40 under 40, Jombay (2017)
Timeline
The Future CHRO Programme - Human Resources Management
Indian School of Business
09.2024 - Current
Sr. Director, Talent & Culture
Accor India & South Asia
07.2020 - Current
Director of Learning & Talent Development
Accor India & South Asia
02.2012 - 06.2020
Learning & Development Manager
Novotel Ibis Bengaluru Outer Ring Road
11.2010 - 02.2012
Learning & Development Manager
Sheraton Park Hotel & Towers (ITC Hotels)
10.2006 - 10.2010