Zuhal Çivi Kahraman

CEO

Istanbul, Istanbul, Türkiye27 yrs 7 mos experience

Highly Stable

Key Highlights

25+ years leading HR strategy across multinational corporations
Expertise in M&A due diligence and post-merger integration
Proven track record in workforce transformation and governance

Stackforce AI infers this person is a strategic HR leader with extensive experience in multinational environments and organizational transformation.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

Hr StrategyOrganisational TransformationHr GovernanceMergers & Acquisitions (m&a)Organisational DesignOrganisational EffectivenessStrategic Workforce PlanningTalent ManagementTraining DevelopmentSales Competency ProgramsHr Function EstablishmentPerformance Management SystemsCompensation And Benefits SystemsJob Analysis

Other Skills

Employee Learning & DevelopmentPeople ProcessesBusiness Process Outsourcing (BPO)HR ConsultingWorkforce PlanningTalent AssessmentProgram ManagementKey Performance IndicatorsHR Project ManagementHuman Capital ManagementGlobal compensationProblem SolvingHuman ResourcesCoachingManagement Development

About

Senior HR Executive and former Group CHRO with 25+ years of experience leading enterprise-wide people strategy across multinational corporations and Private Equity-backed environments. I have led and institutionalised enterprise HR strategy, governance frameworks, workforce transformation, and organisational design across complex, multi-country operations. As a member of Executive Committees, I have held accountability for the People & Culture dimension of P&L performance, M&A due diligence, post-merger integration, and enterprise risk governance. My expertise spans succession and leadership architecture, compensation and job frameworks, workforce optimisation, employee relations in regulated environments, and enterprise operating model effectiveness. I partner closely with CEOs and Boards to translate business strategy into disciplined, performance-driven people systems that enable sustainable growth and long-term value creation. Equally effective as an executive leader or trusted advisor, I bring commercial judgement, governance discipline, and board-level stakeholder alignment to every engagement.

Experience

27 yrs 7 mos

Total Experience

5 yrs 2 mos

Average Tenure

1 yr 9 mos

Current Experience

Independent

Independent HR Transformation & Compensation Strategy Advisor

Aug 2024 – Present · 1 yr 9 mos · Global · Remote

Operating as an independent Senior HR & Organisation Advisory Consultant, with prior experience as the most senior HR leader in a global multi-country group structure, I support CEOs and senior leadership teams in shaping and executing enterprise-wide people strategies, governance frameworks, and workforce transformation initiatives across complex international environments.
My work focuses on helping organizations strengthen organizational design, improve operating model effectiveness, and manage large-scale workforce change in alignment with business priorities. I advise on organizational diagnostics, HR maturity and governance reviews, succession and leadership frameworks, compensation benchmarking and job architecture, as well as complex employee relations and regulatory matters requiring senior judgment and disciplined execution.
Key focus areas include:
Organisation design and workforce strategy
HR governance, policy frameworks, and compliance
Talent, succession, and leadership architecture
Compensation, rewards, and grading structures
Performance management and KPI frameworks
Employee relations advisory and complex workplace matters
HR operating model optimisation and digital transformation
Change management, restructuring, and transformation
I deliver structured, evidence-based solutions under clearly defined Statements of Work, with a strong emphasis on executive alignment, governance discipline, and measurable business impact.

Employee Learning & DevelopmentPeople ProcessesBusiness Process Outsourcing (BPO)HR ConsultingWorkforce PlanningTalent Assessment+16

Celebi aviation holding

Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) | EVP HR & Academy

Nov 2017 – Aug 2024 · 6 yrs 9 mos · Istanbul, Turkey / Multi-country responsibility (EMEA & Asia)

Led enterprise-wide HR and Academy strategy across 12,000+ employees in five countries, partnering directly with the Group CEO.
Member of the Executive Committee with accountability for workforce cost structure and people-related P&L performance
Led HR due diligence and post-acquisition integration for international expansion, including India, Tanzania and Indonesia operations
Designed and executed global HR strategy, governance frameworks, and workforce transformation initiatives
Drove organisation design, cultural transformation, and operating model optimisation
Oversaw end-to-end HR operations, payroll, compensation & benefits, compliance, and ERP integration
Strengthened employee relations and regulatory alignment across multi-jurisdictional environments
Established leadership and succession pipelines to support international growth
Delivered measurable improvements in cost control and organisational efficiency across multi-country operations.

Employee LoyaltyFinanceEmployee Learning & DevelopmentIndustrial RelationsHR PoliciesBusiness Process Outsourcing (BPO)+53

Nestlé

3 roles

On Leave

Mar 2016 – Oct 2017 · 1 yr 7 mos

Deliberate executive transition period focused on leadership development, strategic reflection, and global career repositioning.

HR Director

Apr 2013 – Mar 2016 · 2 yrs 11 mos

Led HR strategy across business units and manufacturing operations in a matrixed, multi-country environment.
Directed HR governance, union relations, and regulatory compliance
Strengthened performance culture, talent and succession architecture
Partnered with senior leadership on organisation design and workforce optimisation
Ensured alignment with Nestlé global principles and local labor laws

Employee LoyaltyFMCGIndustrial RelationsBusiness Process Outsourcing (BPO)HR Service DeliveryHR Consulting+44

HR Director

Apr 2007 – Mar 2013 · 5 yrs 11 mos

Led end-to-end HR management across head office and three manufacturing sites.
Managed HR strategy, operations, and governance for complex industrial environments
Led a 45-member HR team across corporate and factory operations
Introduced lean and cost-optimisation initiatives across functions
Strengthened talent acquisition, retention, and leadership development pipelines
Led HR integration of Infant Nutrition and Health Science business units

FMCGIndustrial RelationsHR PoliciesHR ConsultingDiversity & InclusionWorkforce Planning+37

Ge

HR Manager

Aug 2004 – Apr 2007 · 2 yrs 8 mos · Istanbul, Istanbul, Türkiye · Hybrid

Held a dual role as Strategic HR Business Partner for Aviation and HR Operations Leader for Corporate functions within a matrixed, performance-driven multinational environment.
Led strategic workforce planning and talent management processes, including Session C succession planning and leadership reviews
Partnered with business leaders on organisational design, performance management, and leadership development
Oversaw HR operations, governance, and compliance for corporate functions
Contributed to Six Sigma–driven process optimisation and operational excellence initiatives

Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)Diversity & InclusionWorkforce PlanningTalent AssessmentKey Performance IndicatorsHR Analytics+16

Shell oil company

Retail Training Manager

May 2001 – Aug 2004 · 3 yrs 3 mos · Istanbul, Türkiye · On-site

Established and led the Retail Academy supporting national sales and marketing operations within the Oil & Gas retail business.
Designed and delivered structured sales competency programs across retail networks
Partnered with Sales and Marketing on product launches, ensuring training readiness and commercial alignment
Developed learning curricula, facilitator guides, and trainer capability programs
Collaborated with the Europe Retail Training Academy to align local programs with regional standards
Built scalable training frameworks to strengthen frontline performance and customer experience

Oil and Gas IndustryEmployee Learning & DevelopmentLearning ManagementProgram ManagementTeam LeadershipProblem Solving+2

Atm dis ticaret

HR Manager

Aug 1998 – May 2001 · 2 yrs 9 mos · Istanbul, Türkiye · On-site

Established and structured the HR function to support expanding retail operations.
Built the HR department from the ground up to support multiple retail outlets
Designed and implemented performance management and incentive/bonus systems
Led recruitment, onboarding, and training programs for new store openings
Partnered with business leadership to align workforce planning with retail expansion
Developed HR policies and ensured labor law compliance

HR PoliciesProblem SolvingHuman ResourcesLabor Law ComplianceBudget ManagementHR Function Establishment+1

Other

Consultant

Jan 1994 – Jan 1998 · 4 yrs · Istanbul, Türkiye · Remote

Early career HR advisory assignments focused on compensation and benefits systems, job grading, job analysis, and organisational design.
Developed foundational expertise in total rewards, job architecture, and organisational psychology, supporting project-based consulting engagements across diverse sectors.

Organizational DesignHR ConsultingOrganizational PsychologyGlobal compensationTotal Rewards StrategiesHR Metrics+4