Open to opportunities

Shankar Balasubramaniam

@shankarbalasubramani

Message

HR leader with 12+ years driving HR strategy, talent management, L&D and HR operations.

India

Message

What I'm looking for

I seek a strategic HR role where I can lead talent and L&D programs, improve HR processes, implement HRMS, and partner with leaders to drive business outcomes.

I am an HR professional with over 12 years of cross-industry experience focused on aligning people strategy with business goals. I have led HR strategy, talent management, performance management and end-to-end HR operations across consulting, retail, financial services and manufacturing clients.

I have built competency frameworks for 100+ roles, drafted HR policy handbooks and SOPs, and conducted compensation benchmarking and job‑description design for multiple organisations. I have managed large succession-planning engagements and multi-month consulting projects that delivered measurable people outcomes.

My hands-on experience includes full-cycle recruitment, HRMS implementation and administration (PeopleStrong, Darwinbox, Oracle), onboarding, induction, employee engagement programs and designing training content and delivery. I have executed appraisal cycles from KRA/KPI setting through increments, bonuses and promotions.

I bring practical, process-oriented HR solutions, strong stakeholder engagement and a focus on learning and development to build workforce capability. I seek roles where I can drive HR strategy, enhance talent practices and contribute to business growth.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Manager HR

Current

Cedar Management Consulting

Apr 2024 - Present (1 year 10 months)

Lead HR function to align people strategy with business goals, manage talent optimization and employee relations, and execute full performance appraisal cycles including increments, bonuses, and promotions.

HRMS (DarwinBox)HR strategy Talent Management Learning Development Performance Management Employee Relations Recruitment HRMS (Darwinbox)

Senior Consultant - HR Strategy

Ma-Foi Strategy Consulting

Jul 2023 - Mar 2024 (8 months)

Developed competency frameworks for 100+ roles, drafted HR policy handbooks and SOPs, conducted compensation benchmarking, and supported business expansion and client acquisition activities.

HR Policies SOPs Job Descriptions Stakeholder Management

Senior Consultant - HR Strategy

Acumen Business Consulting

May 2022 - Jun 2023 (1 year 1 month)

Conducted assessment and development centres for succession planning, designed training content and delivery for multiple industries, and managed performance management and KRA/IDP design.

Assessment Centres Training Content Design Training Delivery Performance Management Succession Planning Content Development

Assistant Manager HR

Tata UniStore Limited

Sep 2020 - Feb 2022 (1 year 5 months)

Reviewed and drafted HR policies, provided HR business partner support, and designed onboarding and orientation processes to deliver seamless new-hire experiences.

HR Policies HR Business Partnering Onboarding Employee Engagement Recruitment & Compliance

HR Manager

Aptivaa

Mar 2018 - Sep 2020 (2 years 6 months)

Managed end-to-end talent acquisition, onboarding, employee engagement events and the annual performance appraisal cycle while creating and updating HR policies and processes.

Talent Acquisition Onboarding Employee Engagement Performance Management HR Policies Instructional Design Content Management

HR Business Partner

Neovia Logistics

Mar 2015 - Sep 2017 (2 years 6 months)

Led training & development initiatives, implemented PeopleStrong HRMS with data migration and user manuals, and managed policy formulation, induction and assessment activities.

Training Development Policy Development Assessment Centres Employee Engagement

Assistant Manager HR

Axis Bank

May 2013 - Mar 2015 (1 year 10 months)

Managed performance management processes, maintained Oracle HRMS records, supported talent acquisition and internal transfers, and coordinated employee engagement and OD initiatives.

Performance Management Talent Acquisition Employee Relations OD Initiatives Employee Engagement