Director, Human Resources

Company Overview

Kobie is a well-established loyalty industry leader with over 35 years of experience and multiple recognitions including Forrester Leader status and Top Workplace awards in the USA. The company is expanding by launching a new India Tech Hub in Bengaluru to act as a Global Capabilities Center for various technology roles, fostering innovation in customer loyalty solutions for renowned global brands.

Role and Team

The Human Resources function in India is being created from the ground up and will serve as a strategic hub focused on elevating the employee experience, culture, and operational excellence. As the Director of Human Resources, you will lead the foundational HR efforts to replicate Kobie's award-winning US culture adapted to the Indian context, overseeing people operations, compliance, talent management, and strategy for the India site. This leadership position reports to the US-based AVP of Human Resources and involves close collaboration with the India Site Lead and senior leadership while managing a direct report and planning to expand the HR team as the organization grows.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement scalable, compliant HR policies, processes, and systems aligned with global Kobie standards, continuously improving them.
• Manage the holistic employee journey from recruitment to offboarding, ensuring each interaction reflects company values and promotes engagement.
• Develop and execute India-specific talent acquisition and retention strategies in partnership with leadership, ensuring a superior candidate experience and strong talent pipelines.
• Lead compensation and benefits strategies through market analysis, salary banding, incentives, and competitive packages tailored to attract and retain talent in India.
• Cultivate a cohesive organizational culture emphasizing purpose, belonging, recognition, and employee engagement consistent with Kobie's core values.
• Support operational priorities including employer branding, office operations, teammate initiatives, and cross-functional collaboration in partnership with the India Site Lead.
• Partner with leadership to address organizational health issues, mentor managers, and provide resources to navigate people challenges.
• Ensure strict adherence to Indian labor laws and regulatory compliance covering payroll, benefits, statutory requirements, leave management, and labor relations.
• Develop HR team capabilities by mentoring direct reports, fostering learning opportunities, and encouraging growth within a scaling environment.
• Collaborate closely with US HR teams to align local initiatives with global strategies while accommodating regional needs and ensuring seamless tool and process implementation.
• Monitor and report key HR metrics such as headcount growth, retention, time-to-fill, candidate quality and acceptance rates, engagement scores, and compliance.
• Proactively identify needs and gaps in HR practices and resources as the India operation evolves, responding with agility to shifting priorities.
• Act as the primary HR liaison within US-India leadership forums to communicate site status, challenges, and opportunities while ensuring global HR alignment.

Qualifications

• At least 10-12 years of total HR experience including 5-6 years in senior or leadership roles managing diverse HR functions like operations, talent acquisition, and compliance.
• Extensive knowledge and practical experience with Indian labor laws, employment regulations, statutory compliance, as well as payroll and benefits administration.
• Demonstrated success in developing and installing HR policies, systems, and infrastructure particularly in growing or scaling organizations.
• Proficient in formulating compensation and benefits strategies incorporating market research and competitive total rewards programs.
• Strong background in talent acquisition and strategic workforce planning, with specific knowledge of the Indian technology sector considered a plus.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills capable of influencing and collaborating across various leadership levels and time zones.
• Proven leadership ability to attract, develop, and retain HR team members, fostering high-performing teams under dynamic conditions.
• Forward-thinking mindset with comfort using AI-driven HR technologies and tools to enhance people management practices.

Preferred Experience

• Background in startups or rapidly scaling companies where building or expanding HR infrastructure was necessary, and an ability to thrive in ambiguous and shifting environments.
• Experience reporting in US-based organizational structures with exposure to global HR coordination and cultural bridges.
• Familiarity with ADP (payroll and HR management system) and Lever (applicant tracking system).
• Strong skills in data analysis and spreadsheet modeling.

Company Culture and Benefits

Kobie promotes a collaborative, growth-oriented environment where innovation and diversity are prioritized. As a recognized Top Workplace and Top Remote Workplace, the company values authenticity, inclusiveness, wellbeing, and work-life balance. Employees are supported with competitive benefits, comprehensive health plans, flexible time off, and opportunities for community engagement through volunteering and charitable contributions. New Indian team members will collaborate closely with US colleagues on global initiatives and benefit from continuous learning and exposure to industry leaders. A physical Bengaluru office is planned to enhance collaboration and connection.

Additional Information

Kobie may utilize AI tools in parts of the hiring process to assist recruitment teams, but all final employment decisions are made by humans. Applicants can request details about how their data is handled.