Associate Director HR Operations

About the Role

MobiKwik is looking for an Associate Director – HR Operations to own and scale the entire HR operations backbone of the organization – from policy and systems to compliance, rewards, analytics and Board-level people reporting. This is a high-visibility role for a builder who can bring structure, automation and rigour to end-to-end HR processes across a listed, fast-moving fintech, while partnering closely with senior leadership.

Key Responsibilities

HR Policies & Process Governance

• Own the design, review and periodic refresh of HR policies across the employee lifecycle, ensuring alignment with business needs, statutory requirements and industry best practice.
• Drive consistent policy interpretation and application across functions; act as the escalation point for complex policy matters.

HRMS

• Own the HRMS (Darwinbox) roadmap – configuration, workflow automation, integrations and adoption across the employee lifecycle.
• Partner with IT/vendors to continuously improve system capability, data integrity and user experience for employees and managers.

HR Compliance

• Own HR compliance including POSH (Internal Committee governance, case management and closures), Maternity Benefit Act and other applicable HR-related statutory and policy compliances.
• Own the BGV framework – vendor management, turnaround times, adverse-finding protocols and audit trail.

Audits

• Lead internal and external HR audits (statutory and regulatory audits, process and compliance audits); own audit readiness, documentation and closure of findings.
• Institutionalize controls and checklists to keep the function perpetually audit-ready.

Employee Lifecycle – Preboarding to Exit

• Own end-to-end process design and execution across preboarding, onboarding, transfers, performance cycles, grievance handling, and exit/offboarding.
• Drive process efficiency, TAT reduction and employee experience improvements at every lifecycle touchpoint.

Employer Value Proposition (EVP)

• Shape and operationalise MobiKwik's EVP in partnership with TA, marketing and leadership; ensure it is embedded consistently across policies, benefits and employee communication.

Total Rewards

• Own People AOP – headcount planning and increment budgets, cost budgeting and tracking against plan.
• Lead the annual appraisal and performance-linked pay cycle end-to-end, in partnership with HRBP and CHRO
• Own compensation benchmarking across roles and levels; recommend pay structures and interventions to remain market-competitive.
• Manage the ESOP program – grant, vesting, exercise and employee communication – in coordination with finance, legal and platforms (Qapita).

Payroll

• Own accurate and timely payroll processing for both on-roll and off-roll (contractual/gig) workforce, in partnership with finance and payroll vendors.
• Ensure payroll compliance, reconciliation and query resolution with zero statutory or audit exceptions.

MIS & People Analytics

• Build and maintain org mapping and organisation design documentation across functions.
• Design and maintain leadership dashboards covering key people metrics for leadership and Board reviews.

AI Transformation

• Identify and lead AI-led automation opportunities across HR, HRMS workflows, analytics and employee servicing to improve efficiency and decision quality.
• Champion adoption of AI tools within the HR function and build the roadmap for an AI-first HR operating model.

Board & NRC Management

• Prepare and manage people-related agenda, data and documentation for Board and Nomination & Remuneration Committee (NRC) meetings.
• Partner with the CHRO and company secretarial function on governance matters relating to compensation, succession and people policy.

Candidate Requirements

• 12–15 years of progressive HR experience with strong exposure to HR Operations, Compliance, Total Rewards and People Analytics; fintech/BFSI or listed-company experience preferred.
• MBA/PGDM in HR.
• Hands-on experience with HRMS platforms (Darwinbox or equivalent) and a strong orientation toward process automation and AI-led HR transformation.
• Proven experience managing HR compliance (POSH, Maternity Benefit Act and related policies), audits and BGV frameworks.
• Experience running compensation benchmarking, appraisal cycles and ESOP administration.
• Exposure to Board/NRC-level reporting and governance processes is a strong plus.
• Strong stakeholder management, analytical rigour and the ability to operate both strategically and hands-on.