Taruna Arora

As the Country Manager - People & Culture at Keywords Studios, I lead the HR function across our India studios, ensuring that our HR strategies are aligned with our business goals. My role is diverse, covering various key areas: Strategic HR Leadership: I collaborate with senior management to develop and implement HR plans that support our organization's strategic objectives. This includes leading in change management, process improvement, and fostering strong HR-business partnerships. HR Operations & Compliance: Ensure HR compliance and manage operations, including payroll and employee relations, driving efficiency and legal adherence. Talent Management & Acquisition: Spearhead talent management strategies, focusing on diverse and inclusive hiring practices. Ensure fair compensation through salary benchmarking, addressing disparities based on gender, ethnicity, and other factors. Champion talent retention through supportive environments, mentorship, coaching, and career advancement opportunities. Performance Management: Manage performance appraisal processes, ensuring compliance and effectiveness in goal setting, mid-year reviews, and annual appraisals. Design and implement reward and recognition programs to motivate and retain employees. Diversity & Inclusion Advocacy: Advocate for diversity and inclusion, promoting gender equality and fostering inclusive cultures through policy implementation and program development. Employee Engagement & Development: Drive employee engagement initiatives, including feedback sessions, engagement surveys, and action planning. Focus on organizational development to enhance team effectiveness and alignment. Achievements: Expanded team, implemented strategic HR initiatives, and fostered an inclusive workplace that drives business success. My goal is to create an environment where all employees feel valued, empowered, and motivated to contribute their best, ultimately driving organizational success.

As the Sr. Manager - HR at Lakshya Digital, part of Keywords Studios, I drive strategic HR initiatives to align with our business objectives. My role involves leading HR operations, including talent acquisition, employee engagement, and performance management, ensuring a culture of inclusivity and high performance. I develop and implement HR plans in collaboration with senior management, manage compensation and benefits to ensure fairness, and spearhead team-building and organizational development programs. I focus on creating succession plans, enhancing recruitment strategies, and fostering strong relationships with educational institutions for campus recruitment. Additionally, I streamline HR processes, handle employee relations, and implement policies that support long-term business goals. My aim is to create a positive and inclusive work environment that attracts, retains, and motivates top talent, driving organizational success.

As Dy. General Manager - HR at SunTec Web Services Pvt. Ltd., I managed a dynamic HR team of 14 professionals, driving HR operations to support a rapidly growing organization. During my tenure, I successfully scaled the workforce from 220 employees in 2009 to over 1050 by 2017, contributing to the company's strategic growth. My role encompassed comprehensive HR management, including talent acquisition, performance management, employee engagement, and change management. I spearheaded key initiatives such as process reengineering and digitization of HR operations, enhancing efficiency and reducing operational costs. By implementing robust HR policies and transparent systems, I significantly improved employee morale, retention, and alignment with business objectives. I also played a pivotal role in devising and executing change management and organizational development plans, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. My hands-on experience in developing automated processes and quality programs ensured timely corrective actions and process enhancements, contributing to the overall success and competitiveness of SunTec in the global market. This multifaceted role at SunTec honed my leadership, strategic thinking, and operational expertise, enabling me to effectively manage large teams, drive organizational change, and achieve significant business outcomes.