Job Description
Cognite is a global leader in industrial digitalization, delivering AI and data solutions that help organizations solve complex industrial challenges. The company combines deep industrial expertise with advanced AI capabilities to accelerate digital transformation and operational excellence. With a global presence across Phoenix, Houston, Oslo, Tokyo, Bengaluru, and Abu Dhabi, Cognite is committed to unlocking significant customer value while building a smarter and more connected industrial future.
The Director, Human Resources - India and UAE will be based in Bengaluru in a hybrid work model and will report to the global People Operations team. The role will serve as the HR Leader for India and the UAE, acting as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to regional and global leadership while driving employee relations, compliance, workforce planning, organizational effectiveness, leadership development, and HR policy infrastructure.
The selected candidate will work closely with global People Business Partners and HR teams across Norway and the United States to support organizational growth, people strategy, compliance readiness, and HR operations across India and the UAE. The role requires balancing strategic leadership with hands-on execution while designing practical, legally compliant HR policies and frameworks.
Key responsibilities include developing and continuously improving employee handbooks, HR policies, and people practices across India by translating complex labour regulations into practical guidance that supports both compliance and a high-performance culture. The role requires partnering with Legal teams to monitor employment law changes, proactively update HR policies, develop manager guidance, and ensure compliance with Labour Codes, Gratuity, Provident Fund, ESI, and other statutory regulations.
The Director will lead the complete employee relations lifecycle including workplace investigations, performance management, disciplinary actions, employee exits, and sensitive people matters while ensuring fairness, consistency, confidentiality, and compliance with local employment legislation across India and the UAE. The role also includes designing compliance frameworks, litigation prevention strategies, organizational governance practices, and risk mitigation initiatives in collaboration with Legal teams.
The position requires providing strategic HR leadership by partnering with business leaders to improve organizational effectiveness, leadership capability, workforce planning, and employee experience. The successful candidate will build scalable HR infrastructure, modernize HR policies, strengthen leadership coaching, align local HR practices with Cognite's global People strategy, and ensure seamless collaboration between regional and global HR teams.
Candidates should possess more than 15 years of progressive Human Resources experience, including at least 5 years in a Director or Senior People Business Partner role supporting multi-country environments within SaaS or high-technology organizations. Applicants must have deep expertise in Indian labour laws including Gratuity, Provident Fund, ESI, Labour Code reforms, and working knowledge of UAE labour laws and sponsorship regulations. Experience managing HR infrastructure within high-growth organizations, handling complex employee relations matters, organizational design, compliance governance, and global matrix organizations is essential. A Master's degree is strongly preferred along with advanced knowledge of employment law, leadership development, stakeholder management, policy development, and organizational transformation.
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Success Stories from Candidates Placed in this Field
Sanghamitra Mahapatra - Pune
Meraqui, Pune
★★★★★
"Hi Team Got job in Meraqui
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Kalki - Bangalore
The Purple Turtles, Bangalore - Asst HR Manager
★★★★★
"Hi Pallavi and team,
I got an offer from "The Purple Turtles" as Asst HR Manager with a very decent package.
Thank you so very much for your continuous efforts and support all these days. You were really very serious and committed towards getting me a job. Great team effort.
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