Oct 2023 – Dec 2025 · 2 yrs 2 mos · Dubai, United Arab Emirates · On-site

• Architected and executed a multi-geography people strategy across 35+ multi-brand restaurant locations spanning UAE, India, and Southeast Asia — aligning HR initiatives with aggressive business expansion in a high-growth, culturally complex environment. Designed and institutionalized a proprietary 4P Performance Management Framework (Product · Prospect · Process · People), integrating quarterly reviews, structured goal-setting, and cross-functional KPI alignment to drive business-led accountability at scale. Spearheaded enterprise-wide HRIS implementation automating payroll, attendance, compliance, and full employee lifecycle management — delivering an 80% reduction in manual processing while ensuring regulatory adherence across multiple jurisdictions. Partnered with the CFO and executive leadership on strategic workforce planning, developing outlet-level labor budgets with monthly variance tracking that delivered measurable year-over-year labor cost optimization without compromising service excellence. Standardized HR operations through end-to-end SOP frameworks covering onboarding, mobility, confirmations, separations, and disciplinary protocols — ensuring operational consistency and multi-country legal compliance at scale. Drove organizational culture transformation through values-alignment workshops with founders and senior leadership, while spearheading the 'Under Forty' employer branding campaign to position Eatopia as a destination employer across competitive F&B markets.

Apr 2022 – Sep 2023 · 1 yr 5 mos

• Served as strategic HRBP for a multi-continental workforce across APAC, MEA, and US markets — architecting region-specific policy frameworks, governing international assignments, and ensuring multi-jurisdiction compliance. Pioneered AI-powered HR automation across performance appraisal, time tracking, and productivity analytics, deploying an HR chatbot to transform the new hire experience while embedding OKR-aligned technology to connect individual contributions to enterprise objectives. Built an end-to-end talent development ecosystem spanning induction acceleration, continuous learning, manager effectiveness, executive leadership tracks, and high-potential pipelines — driving capability building at every organizational level. Institutionalized a rigorous performance management architecture leveraging OKR methodology, structured 1:1 cadences, calibrated review cycles, and data-driven workforce intelligence delivered to senior leadership for strategic decision-making. Executed a multi-channel engagement strategy integrating stay interviews, pulse surveys, skip-level conversations, and exit analytics — generating actionable retention insights while elevating employer brand equity through strategic LinkedIn presence, social media campaigns, and a structured brand ambassador program.

Dec 2019 – Jun 2022 · 2 yrs 6 mos

Oct 2017 – Dec 2019 · 2 yrs 2 mos

Mar 2016 – Oct 2017 · 1 yr 7 mos · Mumbai Area, India

• Directed HR operations for an 1,800-strong workforce across 12 restaurant outlets, 2 catering units, and a corporate office, leading a 12-member HR team with full accountability for recruitment, manpower planning, budgeting, and workforce strategy. Redesigned talent acquisition across Operations, Production, and Support functions — introducing quality-first hiring frameworks and launching 'Aarambh,' an organization-wide induction program to accelerate new hire integration and cultural alignment. Standardized core HR processes spanning leave, travel, transfers, succession planning, and separations, while deploying a facial recognition-enabled biometric attendance system to eliminate manual inefficiencies and strengthen compliance. Anchored people culture through an enterprise-wide rewards and recognition framework that reinforced organizational values and improved frontline retention at scale.

Mar 2015 – Feb 2016 · 11 mos

• Led HR operations and strategic business partnering for 1,700 employees across 26 stores within a ₹120Cr revenue region, managing a team of 8 HR professionals. Drove end-to-end talent acquisition — spanning mass hiring, campus placements, and C-suite searches — while institutionalizing structured interview frameworks and Quest & Thomas psychometric assessments to elevate selection quality. Operationalized a full performance management cycle encompassing goal-setting, internal mobility, and structured reviews, alongside targeted retention programs for high performers and governance of workplace safety and incident risk.

Nov 2013 – Mar 2015 · 1 yr 4 mos

Jul 2012 – Nov 2013 · 1 yr 4 mos · Bengaluru, Karnataka, India · On-site

• Managed end-to-end HR operations for 350 employees across 7 Karnataka stores (₹80Cr revenue), executing HR policies, performance management, succession planning, employee engagement, and grievance management.

Apr 2010 – Jul 2012 · 2 yrs 3 mos · Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

• Led HR operations for 200 employees across 6 stores (₹45Cr revenue), standardizing recruitment processes, managing campus placements, controlling attrition, and executing mass recruitment for new store launches. Promoted from HR Trainee to Senior Executive within 3 months. Awarded Best HR South India 2012.