Rishi Raj Gupta

Head of Talent

Gurgaon, Haryana, India20 yrs 10 mos experience

Highly Stable

Key Highlights

Expert in scaling high-performance cultures.
Proven track record in complex change management.
Strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in HR.

Stackforce AI infers this person is a strategic HR leader with expertise in technology and pharmaceuticals.

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Skills

Core Skills

Hr StrategyTalent Management

Other Skills

Strategic GovernanceDEI ArchitectureTalent AccelerationBusiness TransformationTalent & Capability BuildingOperational ExcellenceTalent StrategyEmployee EngagementCulture & DiversityTraining and Development (HR)Strategic LeadershipCompensationRegulatory GuidelinesHigh Performance TeamsCommunication

About

CHRO | Business Transformation Leader With over two decades of experience across Technology, Pharmaceuticals, Retail, Consulting and Manufacturing, I have dedicated my career to one mission: making everyone successful. My journey has taken me from scaling the digital frontiers at Meta (India/APAC) to driving pharmaceutical growth at Cipla and operational excellence at Walmart. Why I do what I do: I view HR as a core business function that exists to push growth trajectories. I don’t just manage ‘functions’; I partner with leaders to solve complex puzzles involving talent, governance, and organizational capability. Core Expertise: ~ Scaling High-Performance Cultures: Translating purpose-driven leadership into operational results. ~ Complex Change Management: Navigating large-scale transformations across diverse geographies and functions (Engineering, Sales, Manufacturing, Public Policy, Operations). ~ Leadership Architecture: Building resilient teams that can thrive in both traditional and new-age environments. Beyond the office, I am a gardener, a motorcycle enthusiast who seeks the remote Himalayas, and a mentor. I believe that the same patience and resilience required to nurture a farm or navigate a mountain pass are what make for exceptional leadership.

Experience

20 yrs 10 mos

Total Experience

3 yrs 10 mos

Average Tenure

1 yr 7 mos

Current Experience

Multiple

HR Strategy Advisor | Mentor | Gardener

Oct 2024 – Present · 1 yr 7 mos · Gurugram · Hybrid

After ~8 years leading HR in Big Tech, I transitioned to independent consulting to help a broader spectrum of tech businesses scale their most vital asset: people.
I have partnered with founders and executives to architect high-performing leadership teams and coach the next generation of talent. My practice focuses on bridging the gap between rapid growth and sustainable culture, most recently helping a Series D start-up restructure their executive tier and rethink their talent strategy for global expansion.
Beyond consulting, I am dedicated to mentorship and education: teaching management students and helping professionals navigate an increasingly complex leadership landscape. I thrive at the intersection of innovation and human potential, staying grounded through my roles as a father and an avid gardener.

Cipla

HR Leader - India Business

Jan 2014 – Jan 2017 · 3 yrs · Greater Delhi Area

Led end-to-end HR strategy for India’s market leader in pharmaceuticals, partnering with business units generating $1B in annual turnover. Managed the full HR lifecycle for a workforce of 7,000+, while concurrently leading two critical Centers of Excellence (COEs) for the 12,000-strong India organization.
Business Transformation: Acted as a core member of the HR Leadership Team, driving organizational design and consultative partnering to maximize field force performance across India.
Talent & Capability Building: As India Head of Talent Management & L&D, overhauled learning frameworks for 12,000 employees, focusing on leadership pipelines and functional excellence.
Operational Excellence & Compliance: Spearheaded the Employee Relations & HR Compliance COE, ensuring 100% statutory adherence and stabilizing labor relations across diverse geographic BUs.
Leadership & Culture: Directed a high-performing team of 30+ HR professionals, achieving a top-tier Employee Engagement score of 83%—one of the highest across all corporate functions.

Business TransformationTalent & Capability BuildingOperational ExcellenceHR StrategyTalent Management

Accenture management consulting

Manager - Talent & Organization

May 2013 – Jan 2014 · 8 mos · Gurgaon, India

Management Consulting - Talent & Organization Performance Practice, India Business.
As an Engagement Manager in Accenture's T&O Practice, worked on multiple projects with clients across FMCG/Footwear, Telecom, Media and Security Solutions.

Walmart

Dy General Manager & Region Head - People

Nov 2008 – May 2013 · 4 yrs 6 mos · Gurgaon, India

A Bharti Enterprises and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Company
Spearheaded Talent Strategy for 'Easyday' Supermarket & Hypermarket Stores for North India Retail Operations.
Joined the Company at its infancy to lead HR for the Supermarkets business for North India. Was elevated within an year to lead HR for Hypermarkets business too.
Launched and managed 190 stores across 100 cities spread over 8 States of North India, impacting 5000+ associates and sales-turnover of over Rs.1500 crores.
Led Talent Acquisition, Development, Communication & Engagement, Culture & Diversity, Employee Relations for the Region and was a strategic business partner to the Senior Management - with an aim of 'making everyone successful.'
Leader of a team of 23 HR professionals; built this team from the scratch. At an engagement score of 96% and 95% in the 2012-'13 and 2011-'12 Hewitt Associate Opinion Surveys respectively, mine was one of the most engaged teams of the organization.

Talent StrategyEmployee EngagementCulture & DiversityHR StrategyTalent Management

Rpg enterprises

Senior Manager - HR; RPG Enterprises Group Companies

Jun 2005 – Nov 2008 · 3 yrs 5 mos · Gurgaon | Mumbai | Nashik | Hyderabad

A. Zonal Head - Human Resources (North India); RPG Cellucom | Nov 2006 - Nov 2008
An RPG Group Company. Was elevated within RPG Group to lead HR function for this retail start-up venture; pioneering mobile phones/laptops organized retail in India. Joined as one of the first few employees on the board; led Talent strategy for the organisation from infancy to a large, self-sustainable size. Led HR function for retail-operations across all the states of North India and for Talent Acquisition & Management of leadership talent for the organization - Marketing, Merchandising, Supply Chain, Finance and IT.
B. Manager - HR; CEAT Tyres | Jun 2005 - Nov 2006
An RPG Group Company. Joined as a Management Trainee; moved up as Manager-HR. Served in cross-functional roles including Sales, Corporate HR and Plant ER.