Rajesh Verma

HR Manager - GCC Aug 2019 - Present
Reporting COO (Functionally) & Chairman (Administratively)
Gulf Cooperation Symbols & Contracting Co.
My position includes inter alia strategic organisational design in conjunction with the Chairman & COO, talent management & retention, recruitment and selection, salary and benefits management, employee relations, performance management, change management, skills and professional development, as well as the design and implementation of human resources policies and procedures.

KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS
• Investigate and determine employee needs and develop a sustainable talent acquisition and hiring plans and strategies
• Source and find candidates qualified for open positions
• perform analysis of hiring needs and provide employee hiring forecast
• Design, plan and execute selection processes (conduct interviews and screening calls, administer psychological tests etc.)
• Reviews employment applications and background check reports
• Recruitment and Selection. Attract, retain and motivate staff. Manage the recruitment process for employees and consultants ensuring that the right talent is identified and attracted and that GCS is incentivised as a place to work.
• Skills Development. Identify training/skills/competency needs within the Group. Coordinate career development, succession planning and talent management needs in partnership with line management.
• HR Reporting. Manage the HRMS. Compile monthly management reports as required.
• Implement performance management/talent management initiatives in order to ensure enhanced knowledge and skills sharing/transfer.
• Policies and Procedures. Develop, update and implement all HR policies and procedures.
• Budget & Cost Management. Set salary scales and allowances to ensure parity across the Group. Drive HR-related cost savings and manage HR budgets as set by executive management and working in conjunction with the Head of Finance.

Was hired to develop policies and procedures and establish an HR Department. Laid the HR Department’s foundation in 2017 and provided accurate and timely advice on HRMS activities. Worked as a one-point contact for all HR matters, Fairwork policies and Modern Australian Awards.
Efforts were quite warmly appreciated with an annual raise of 18% in salary.

Responsibilities included but not limited to:
• HR Management, Planning and Administration.
• Employee Relations & Grievance Handling.
• Staffing and Recruitment.
• Employee Development.
• Employee Reward.
• Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing (OHSW).

Achievements

• Developed, implemented, and reviewed HR policies and procedures to promote best practice.
• Ensured statutory compliance as per Fairwork regulations and Modern Awards in Australia. Attended 05 Fairwork Cases (filed before joining) under unfair dismissal and resolved in the company’s favour.
• Recruited more than 45 staff through different channels which saved more than AUD 550K annually.
• Restructured salary slabs through market surveys and comparing average compensation in Victoria.
• Resolved complaints and misconducts at workplace and HSW issues. Procedurally, dismissed services of 14 staff members and suggested 08 to resign under gross misconduct and/or continuous deficient performance.
• Collaborated with stakeholders, executed workforce planning, and strengthened the human capital structure which eventually saved more than AUD 980K through maximum output and reduced attrition rate.
• Designed a reward strategy that reduced the attrition rate from 45% to 19%.
• Created and administered regular meetings to facilitate training, performance appraisal process, professional development, career/succession planning, enhanced competencies, and staff retention.

• Provided strategic oversight of business and HR systems. Administered talent acquisition, end to end recruitment process and onboarding.
• Dealt with SAGIA (Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority), CoC (Chamber of Commerce), GOSI, Baladia (Municipality), Commercial Registration & Zakat and Labour Ministry at all levels.
• Prepared and implemented employee relations and industrial strategies in accordance with legislation at various sites. Worked closely with Project Managers to facilitate maximum work output and maintained customer responsive work environment.
• Extended support to departments in all HR & Administrative activities as per Saudi Aramco standards.
• Supported Sr. Management & Managers in succession planning and evaluation of existing talent.
• Participated in counselling, investigation, and conflict resolution having regular discussions/meetings with stakeholders.
• Effectively monitored and managed OH&S processes, policies and arranged safety drills and training.
• Successfully prepared Key Result Areas (KRAs) and annual Project Management System.
• Initiated and monitored Management Information System (MIS) Reports, Monthly Budget, and other Administrative Reports to Corporate Office.
Achievements
• Developed HR and Operational dashboards to improve and centralize reporting system.
• Established a new Regional Office in Saudi Arabia. Through excellent communication and negotiation skills, arranged 500 Work visas with a special age waiver visa for GM from Saudi Arabia’s Prince Office.
• Successfully interviewed, selected, and recruited more than 250 technical and non-technical personnel from UAE, India, Philippines, and Bangladesh including 24 senior staff members to execute the prestigious project with Saudi Aramco.
• Negotiated and reviewed contracts with external recruitment partners, and streamlined the organisation’s recruitment strategy, resulting in a significant cost saving of USD 970K.
• Designed and implemented a group restructure at Essar Projects that resulted in clearer reporting lines, reduced staff costs and improved productivity and morale.
• Prepared and regularised several HR and Administration policies e.g. Recruitment, Leave, Housing, BYOD, Travel and Attendance Policy
• Saved around USD 275K annually by reducing fixed spending by 8% and variable overhead spending by 11% through a variety of cost-improvement initiatives.
• Ensured 100% adherence to statutory requirements and local laws.

Responsibilities
• Successfully accomplished HR & Administration activities at sites and Regional Office and was fully involved with several projects viz. King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), Obeikan Hilton Hotel, Al Reziza Tower Khobar etc.
• Monitored pre-employment processes, interviews, remuneration packages and communication with new employees.
• Analysed employee development; training and future business needs to devise career tracks for employees who demonstrated the aptitude and desire for upward mobility.
• Executed employee engagement and Corporate Social Responsibility events as and when required.
• Ensured adequate training and development systems were in place.
• Implemented effective employee friendly HR policies, people engagement practices, grievance handling and dispute resolution.
• Monitored Asset Management with effective functioning of Corporate Office, Office Automation and annual maintenance contracts with agencies including Transportation Management, Security/Housekeeping Management, and Guest House/Accommodation arrangements.
Achievements
• Facilitated the rebuilding of the organisation's HR function and brought recruitment in-house, which resulted in significant cost-savings.
• Implemented and reviewed policies and procedures to ensure best practice and compliance with legislation.
• Developed a complete Management Information Report System showing month’s progress/update of HR and Administration Department.
• Centralized human resources and administrative budget to reduce costs while making the process more aligned to core strategy and values.
• Negotiated with Project Insurances, Contractors All Risk Policies and Employees Group Health Insurances and saved more than US$ 1.16 Million per annum.