Head - Industrial Relations

Role: Head - Industrial Relations

Location: Odisha

Experience: 18+ Years | Function: IR, ER, Compliance, Labour Relations

About the Role:

A large, multi-location essential-services organisation is seeking a senior leader to head Industrial Relations & Compliance across multiple operational circles. The role is critical in shaping a unified IR approach, ensuring legal compliance, building strong government interfaces, and maintaining a harmonious and productive work environment.

The mandate is requiring strong IR command, maturity in stakeholder management, and deep expertise in labour laws and compliance frameworks.

Key Responsibilities:

Industrial Relations Leadership:

- Implement a uniform IR strategy across all operating units to ensure consistent practices.

- Build an integrated IR network across regions to ensure timely and effective handling of issues.

- Manage long-term settlements, conciliation processes, and industrial dispute matters.

Government & Regulatory Interface:

- Liaise with state authorities, labour officials, and statutory bodies.

- Coordinate high-impact HR legal cases in collaboration with external legal partners.

- Represent the organization in labour forums and statutory platforms.

Compliance & Governance:

- Drive compliance for on-roll and outsourced workforce.

- Monitor and strengthen internal vigilance and disciplinary processes.

- Ensure timely handling of legal cases, HR audits, and statutory submissions.

Capability Building:

- Enhance IR and compliance capabilities of field HR teams through structured interventions.

- Strengthen digital IR & compliance tools and drive process adoption.

Stakeholder & Union Management:

- Build strong IR intelligence networks with unions and labour authorities.

- Predict, mitigate, and manage potential IR risks.

- Maintain a peaceful and productive work climate with zero man-day loss as a goal.

Key Performance Indicators:

- Reduction in demonstrations and industrial disputes

- Consistent implementation of IR frameworks

- Reduction in non-compliances

- Man-days lost due to IR or compliance issues

- Capability enhancement of IR teams

- IR & compliance digitalization progress

Qualifications & Experience:

- Graduate / B.Tech plus MBA / PGDM in HR

- 15+ years of experience in Industrial Relations, Employee Relations, and Labour Compliance

- Strong knowledge of labour laws, statutory frameworks, and IR strategies

- Proven success in handling unions, settlements, and multi-unit IR leadership

- Excellent negotiation, conflict-resolution, and stakeholder management skills

- Ability to influence senior leadership and guide diverse, region-based HR teams