Head of Human Resources

Experience: 20–25 yearsIndustry: Defense / Aerospace / Strategic ManufacturingEducation: MBA/PGDM in HR from a top-tier B-school (IIMs, XLRI, TISS, FMS, MDI, or equivalent)Location: PuneReporting To: CEO / BoardAbout the RoleWe are looking for a seasoned HR leader to head Human Resources for our group of companies operating in the defense and aerospace sector. The ideal candidate will have deep functional expertise combined with strong domain exposure to the defense/aerospace ecosystem, including its regulatory, security, and talent nuances.Key ResponsibilitiesDesign and drive the group-level HR strategy aligned with business and growth objectivesLead talent acquisition for specialized engineering, technical, and leadership roles unique to defense/aerospace manufacturingBuild and scale HR systems across multiple business units/plants (compensation, performance management, HRIS, succession planning)Drive organization design, workforce planning, and manpower budgeting for high-security, compliance-heavy environmentsManage employee relations, industrial relations, and statutory compliance (Factories Act, Defence procurement-linked labor norms, etc.)Partner with leadership on culture building, leadership development, and succession planningOversee security clearance-linked hiring processes and liaise with government/defense bodies as requiredLead C&B strategy, HR policy formulation, and talent retention programs for a niche technical workforceChampion diversity, employee engagement, and organizational change management initiativesCandidate RequirementsMBA/PGDM in HR from a premier institute (IIM/XLRI/TISS/FMS or equivalent top-tier school) — mandatory18–22 years of progressive HR leadership experience, with a significant portion in the defense, aerospace, or allied strategic manufacturing sectorProven experience managing HR for a group of companies / multi-location manufacturing setupStrong understanding of labor laws, compliance frameworks, and security protocols relevant to defense industriesDemonstrated success in talent strategy for engineering-heavy, niche-skill organizationsExcellent stakeholder management, leadership, and communication skills