RAJIV R SAXENA

Chief People Officer

Mumbai, IN.

About

Highly accomplished Transformational CHRO with over 25 years of global experience in Fintech, BFSI, Telecom, Media, and FMCG sectors, recognized for building high-performance organizations. Strategically partners with Boards and C-suite executives to drive business scale, embedding digital and AI-led HR systems that have delivered measurable commercial outcomes and significant talent transformation across India, MENAP, Europe, UK, and South Asia.

Work

PayNearby (Nearby Technologies Pvt. Ltd.)

Chief People Officer

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Mar 2024→ Present

Summary

Leads enterprise-wide people transformation and HR automation for 1,000+ employees.

Highlights

Transformed the people function and aligned organizational design with founders and board strategy.

Enhanced onboarding productivity by 50% and implemented Career Acceleration Plans (CAP) for 70%+ of critical roles.

Deployed automated cloud-based HRMS, payroll, and compliance platforms.

Xstrops Consulting

Chief Operating Officer

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Mar 2019→ Mar 2024

Summary

Advised promoters and boards on business transformation and scaling operations.

Highlights

Directed growth programs driving 2X-3X topline expansion for enterprise clients in FMCG, Engineering, and Retail.

Integrated organizational structure, leadership, and performance management to scale client businesses.

Dr. Batra's Healthcare

Chief People Officer

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Sep 2015→ Feb 2019

Summary

Directed global HR strategy across India, UK, UAE, and Bangladesh.

Highlights

Supported 2X business growth through targeted talent planning and leadership capability building.

Standardized global performance and HR operations while advising the Group CEO and Board.

Xstrops Consulting / Teamwork Consulting

Principal Consultant / Entrepreneur

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Sep 2013→ Sep 2015

Summary

Provided strategic HR consulting, leadership coaching, and organizational design.

Highlights

Served as Acting HR Chief and implemented Balanced Scorecards to drive long-term business strategy.

Redesigned performance management, reward structures, and competency frameworks for enterprise clients.

Prime Focus

Sr. VP & Head - Human Resources

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Nov 2011→ Aug 2013

Summary

Led HR strategy and operations for 5,000+ professionals across diverse media and IT/ITES verticals.

Highlights

Established comprehensive HR governance, structures, and leadership alignment for a rapidly scaling global business.

Graviss Group

Group HR Head (Global)

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Jul 2010→ Jul 2011

Summary

Headed global HR strategy and operational compliance for a 2,000-employee group.

Highlights

Introduced HR analytics and automated systems to modernize decision-making.

Managed critical union negotiations, statutory compliance, and leadership development.

ICICI Securities

VP & Head - Business HR

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Aug 2008→ Jul 2010

Summary

Managed Business HR and Talent Management for ICICI Direct's 3,000+ employee base.

Highlights

Achieved a 5-Star HR Audit score (90%+) and scaled automated high-volume recruitment of 2,000+ hires annually.

Implemented Balanced Scorecards, 360 feedback, and streamlined onboarding processes across 300+ locations.

Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd.

DVP - Human Resources

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Jul 2007→ Jul 2008

Summary

Established the international HR function across APAC, MENAP, Europe, and the US.

Highlights

Deployed end-to-end global compensation systems, expat policies, and automated performance management.

Managed the HR and legal integration for key business mergers.

Bharti Airtel Ltd.

Sr. Manager HR – West Region (Progressive Roles)

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Feb 2003→ Jul 2007

Summary

Rapidly promoted to regional HR Head, leading workforce operations and organizational design.

Highlights

Halved call center attrition to 20% and improved Gallup engagement scores to the 95th percentile.

Successfully transition-managed 2,500+ outsourced roles and co-created the NMIMS-Airtel MBA program.

Reuters India Pvt. Ltd.

HR Executive, South Asia

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Jun 2001→ Feb 2003

Summary

Managed South Asia HR operations, compensation, and technology deployment.

Highlights

Launched the region's first online 360-degree feedback system and digital HR skills portal.

Supported strategic talent surveying that influenced global decisions to establish the Bangalore GSC.

RPG ENTERPRISES

Dy. Manager Corporate HR (Progressive Roles)

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Jan 1999→ Dec 2001

Summary

Drove corporate-wide recruitment, succession planning, and talent programs.

Highlights

Led comprehensive role analysis and assessment framework design for over 27,000 employees.

Managed premier campus recruitment programs and developed the group's internal talent portals.

Education

SIBM, Pune

Pune, Maharashtra, India

Jan 1997→ Jan 1999

Masters in Personnel Management (MPM) Personnel Management Grade: First class with distinction

Mithibai College, Mumbai University

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Jan 1994→ Jan 1997

B.Sc. Statistics

Awards

Top 50under50 HR Leaders Award

Jan 2026

Jombay

Recognized among the top 50 emerging HR leaders.

Airtel Brand Ambassador

Jul 2007

Bharti Airtel Ltd.

Nominated as a top 5% Brand Ambassador for outstanding contribution.

Exceptional Achievement Award

Jul 2007

Bharti Airtel Chairman, Mr. Sunil Bharti Mittal

Received for exceptional performance and contributions to the organization.

Languages

English

Skills

HR Strategy & Business Alignment

HR Strategy, Business Alignment, Strategic Planning.

Balanced Scorecard

Performance Metrics, Strategic Management, KPIs.

Leadership Development

Talent Development, Coaching, Mentoring.

Artificial Intelligence

AI in HR, AI Systems, Machine Learning.

Digital HR Transformation

HR Digitalization, HR Tech, HRIS Implementation.

Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning

Recruitment, Workforce Planning, Talent Management.

Organisation Development

OD, Change Management, Organizational Design.

Employee Engagement

Employee Relations, Culture Building, Engagement Strategies.

Performance Management

PMS, Performance Reviews, Goal Setting.

Talent Management

Talent Strategy, Succession Planning, Career Development.

Compensation, Benefits & Total Rewards

Total Rewards, C&B Strategy, Remuneration.

Hay Job Evaluation - Job Architecture & Grading

Job Architecture, Job Grading, Compensation Structures.

Change Management (Root Learning Methodology)

Organizational Change, Transformation, Root Learning.

ROI on Learning & Development

L&D Metrics, Training Effectiveness, HR Analytics.

Certified OrgMapper Consultant (Organisation Network Analysis - ONA)

ONA, Organizational Network Analysis, HR Consulting.

Competency Based Interviewing (CBI)

CBI, Interviewing Skills, Behavioral Interviewing.

NRC & Board level HR Governance

Corporate Governance, Board Relations, HR Compliance.

Labour Law & Statutory Compliance

Labor Relations, Legal Compliance, HR Regulations.