Lead - Employee Relations

We're seeking an experienced ER Manager to join our People practice, delivering end-to-end Employee Relations advisory and case management services to our top clients operating Global Capability Centers (GCCs) across India and other regions. In this role, you will be a trusted advisor to our clients' leadership teams, managing complex ER matters, conducting investigations, advising on regulatory compliance, and developing scalable ER frameworks. You'll work closely with client legal teams, HR departments, and senior management to resolve sensitive employee issues while building institutional capability. This is an opportunity to shape how leading organizations manage people matters in complex, matrix-driven environments.

What You'll Do

ER Advisory & Consulting
Provide strategic employee relations counsel to on-ground leaders and stakeholders across multiple client engagements
Design enterprise-wide ER frameworks, policies, standard operating procedures, and governance models tailored to client GCC contexts
Assess organizational ER maturity and develop roadmaps for capability enhancement and process optimization
Advise on complex organizational changes including restructuring, workforce transitions, sensitive terminations, and retention strategies

Case Management & Investigations

Lead or oversee complex workplace investigations into misconduct, harassment, discrimination, and policy violations
Conduct objective fact-finding, witness interviews, and evidence analysis to reach defensible conclusions
Manage disciplinary and performance-related cases with appropriate escalation and documentation
Partner with client legal counsel to assess litigation risk and develop mitigation strategies

Labour Law & Compliance

Apply deep expertise in Indian labour laws and Codes (Shops & Establishment Act Industrial Disputes Act, Labour Codes, Standing Orders, state-specific regulations) to client matters
Monitor regulatory changes and assess impact on client policies, practices, and compliance posture
Support clients through labour inspections, audits, and regulatory correspondence
Advise on severance packages, statutory compliances, and risk mitigation during employee separations

Client Relationship & Account Management

Build and maintain strong relationships with client HR leadership, legal teams, and senior executives
Serve as primary point of escalation for sensitive ER matters and urgent requests
Manage engagement scope, timelines, and deliverables; ensure client satisfaction and outcomes delivery
Identify upsell opportunities and recommend additional advisory services

Capability Building & Knowledge Transfer

Develop training programs and playbooks for client HR teams on investigations, documentation, performance management, and ER governance
Coach client managers and HR practitioners on best practices in employee relations case handling
Build internal Zinnov knowledge base and case studies from client engagements

Analytics & Insights

Track ER metrics, case trends, and risk indicators across client engagements
Generate data-driven insights and strategic recommendations for client leadership
Develop business cases for capability investments, policy changes, and process improvements

What We're Looking For

Experience

10-15+ years of progressive Employee Relations experience in HR roles, ideally in multinational, GCC, or matrix organizations
Post graduate diploma in Industrial Relations will be preferred
Demonstrated expertise in Indian labour law and employment regulations
Track record of managing complex investigations, disciplinary cases, and sensitive separations
Experience working with external legal counsel and managing litigation risk
Prior consulting experience, client advisory role, or business partnering at enterprise scale is a plus
Experience working across technology, shared services, BPO, or operations environments is valued

Core Competencies

Deep ER expertise with proven ability to apply knowledge across diverse client scenarios
Strong investigation and fact-finding capabilities; ability to remain objective and thorough
Excellent stakeholder management and executive presence; comfort with C-suite engagement
Strategic thinking and business acumen; ability to translate ER matters into business impact
Strong communication skills - able to articulate complex concepts clearly to diverse audiences
Discretion, judgment, and ability to handle highly sensitive information
Self-directed, independent thinker with strong work ethic and client-first mindset
Ability to thrive in fast-paced, ambiguous, consulting environment

Why Zinnov

Work on high-impact engagements with leading Fortune 500 technology companies
Build deep expertise and stay current with emerging trends in global talent and ER practices
Steep learning curve with exposure to diverse industries, business models, and organizational challenges
Work culture that values independent thinking, crisp communication, and early ownership
Opportunity to see your work influence real business decisions and client outcomes
Collaborative team environment with mentorship and career development support
Competitive compensation, flexible work arrangements, and strong benefits package

About You

You're an ER professional who thrives on complexity and ambiguity. You have deep labour law expertise and a proven track record managing sensitive employee matters. You're a strategic thinker who can translate technical ER knowledge into business insights. You enjoy client interaction and have the presence and communication skills to advise senior leadership. You're self-directed, intellectually curious, and excited about the opportunity to work across different organizations and solve real business challenges. You value learning and feedback, and you're committed to delivering excellence in everything you do. Zinnov isn't for everyone - it's for people who want steep learning curves, honest feedback, and the chance to see their work influence real business decisions.

Zinnov is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, communities, and experiences.