Varun Sharma

o Lead HR Business Partner for Technology Vertical, IPRD, Corporate Functions supporting 1200+ employees.
o Leading the Talent Acquisition Function for Technology, IPRD, & cross-functional roles across Middle East Region ensuring strategic hiring aligned with business growth
o Overseeing end- to-end HR delivery across Talent Management, Business Partnering, Employee Relations & Talent Acquisition
o Led multiple AI- driven HR Transformation initiatives including the implementation of AI- based tools for
o Talent Acquisition automation (CV parsing, Candidate Screening, Interview Scheduling, Online Assessment’s)
o Talent Insights dashboards - a key instrument for decision making
o Chatbot- based employee supports improving response time and HR efficiency
o Key KPIs & Impact Areas
o Deliver impact of Talent Review through - Succession Planning, OJT projects, Lower Attrition for Hi-Potential’s
o Financial Performance
 Control of average payroll cost to average FTE billing enhancing Cost Margins
 Enhanced TA efficiency using automation - driven sourcing & screening tools
o Talent Acquisition Excellence
 Ensuring recruitment priorities are driven by revenue, contribution margins, utilization and business pipeline needs
 Improved offer Productivity, joining ratios and overall stakeholder satisfaction
o Client Value
 Delivered quarterly LoB insights and key people agenda recommendation
 Steered people metrics including Amber Engagement, EWS, and PTM
 Introduced AI based reporting for deeper insights and faster diagnostics
o Technology & HR Digitization
 Drove adoption and measurable impact of HR technology platforms in Talent Acquisition and Talent Engagement
 Implemented external vendor solutions for analytics, automation, and AI tools
 Led internal digital projects improving utilization visibility and decision-making
o Operations Excellence
 Conducted goals audit and capability-building workshops
 Maintained consistently high Amber scores and improved response rates
 Worked cross functionally with HR CoEs to drive high-impact interventions
o As an HR leader managing, mentoring and guiding team of 10 in line with talent & organizational goals.

Accountable for Human Resources function across PUBLICISGROUPE agencies - PublicisMediaServices, ARCww, PublicisOutdoor, Central Functions & APEX/PMX
o HR Leadership & Strategy
 Led the end-to-end Human Resources function across multiple Publicis Groupe agencies in India, partnering closely with CEOs and cross-functional global stakeholders.
 Directed Talent Acquisition across all agencies pan-India, ensuring quality hiring aligned with evolving business needs.
 Developed and executed the organizational talent strategy, focusing on upskilling, capability building, and future ready workforce planning.
 Championed culture and talent transformation initiatives to drive organizational efficiency, employee engagement, and scalable growth.
 Collaborated with global HR leadership to ensure synergies, consistency, and alignment with international frameworks and talent standards.
 Spearheaded the digitization of HR processes, enabling data-driven people decisions and improved employee experience in a rapidly changing business environment.
o Talent Development
 Institutionalized the ASK (Always Share Knowledge) learning & development platform, significantly enhancing internal capability-building.
 Delivered EUREKA 2.0, an in-house global training program, strengthening leadership and functional competencies.
 Designed and executed the Campus Training Classroom Program, building a robust early career talent pipeline.
 Contributed to the global TRAILBLAZERS program—fostering leadership excellence across markets.
o Talent Management
 Managed core processes including succession planning, leadership development, onboarding, and integration across the group.
 Partnered with business leaders on capacity planning, capability development, and workforce optimization
 Ensured HR deliverables were tightly aligned with business strategy, P&L goals, and operational efficiencies.
 Drove cost rationalization initiatives, maintaining a healthy personnel cost ratio while supporting growth priorities.
o Selected as the sole representative from India for the prestigious WorkYourWorld program, gaining immersive international experience across Paris, Prague, Poland, Rome, Milan, London

HR Manager- Business Partner. Responsible for

Performance Management, HR Analytics, Employee Engagement, Talent Acqusition for Entire Organization

Joines as Associate in July 2007.

Promoted to Sr. Associate- July 2009.

Promoted to Manager- Human Resources- July 2012

Responsible for entire HR Gamut Operations

Placing IT Professionals in IT Companies