Senior Manager - People Advisory

People Advisory Senior Consultant

Role: People Advisory, Senior Consultant

Location: Pune, India

Life. Unlimited. At Smith+Nephew we design and manufacture technology that takes the limits off living.

We are seeking an experienced People Advisory Senior Consultant to partner with leaders across functions and geographies, delivering strategic and operational HR support aligned with corporate policies and best practices.

This is a high-impact role focused on coaching leaders, driving organizational change, and managing complex employee relations while contributing to key HR programs and transformation initiatives.

What will you be doing?

Performance & Customer Focus:

• Provide expert HR advisory to managers and employees on performance management, employee relations, and employment policies
• Ensure compliance with local employment laws, regulations, and corporate HR policies across geographies
• Support and resolve employee relations matters including grievances, disciplinary actions, absence, and performance issues
• Lead complex or high-risk cases, including investigations and mediations, ensuring timely and professional resolution
• Partner with HR Business Partners, CoEs, and Legal to manage risk and drive consistent policy application
• Contribute to the development and enhancement of HR policies and practices
• Support organizational initiatives such as M&A, restructuring, and employee consultations (e.g., TUPE)
• Monitor ER trends and metrics (e.g., absence, grievances) to drive proactive interventions and improve organizational health

Coaching for Managers & Team Members

• Coach and influence managers on effective application of HR policies and best practices in people management
• Build leadership capability in managing performance, employee relations, and team effectiveness
• Use data and insights to identify capability gaps and enable targeted interventions
• Collaborate with Learning teams to design and deliver relevant training solutions
• Promote and embed organizational culture, behaviours, and ways of working
• Act as a mentor and escalation point for HR team members, providing guidance and support
• Support HR Services teams to strengthen service delivery and capability

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Driving Continuous Improvement:

• Champion a customer-centric approach, ensuring high-quality HR service delivery
• Drive continuous improvement in HR processes, systems, and case management practices
• Contribute to the development of policies, process documentation, and operational frameworks
• Support implementation and optimization of HR technologies and tools (e.g., case management systems)
• Gather and act on stakeholder feedback to enhance service effectiveness
• Identify and implement initiatives to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance HR advisory quality

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Relationship Management:

• Build strong, trusted relationships with stakeholders across functions and geographies
• Align HR support with business priorities and deliver solutions that drive business outcomes
• Communicate complex HR matters clearly, linking people decisions to business impact
• Collaborate across HR teams (HRBPs, CoEs, Shared Services) to ensure integrated service delivery
• Manage relationships with external vendors and ensure service delivery against agreed SLAs
• Influence stakeholders at all levels to drive effective and consistent HR practices

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What will you need to be successful?

• Master’s or Bachelor's degree level with Human Resources or equivalent is desirable and evidence of continuing professional development. HR / People-related professional qualification or certifications preferred.
• Strong experience in employee relations (ER) and employment law within a complex, matrixed organization. Understanding of a People / HR Shared services or GBS / GCC environment is good to have. Strong working knowledge of employment laws and practices required linked to a particular region or country.
• Prior experience in complex case management preferably at leadership level.
• Previous experience working at a HR Generalist or advisory roles, with exposure to regional or global operations in in a People/HR Shared Services model preferred.
• Experience partnering with senior leaders and influencing across multiple stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capability.
• Should be comfortable working with Workday and People / HR case management systems like ServiceNow.
• Excellent communication, coaching, and relationship‑building skills.
• Strong working knowledge of employment laws and practices required linked to a particular region or country.
• Previous experience working at a HR generalist level. Ideally, experience at operating in a People/HR Shared Services model.

You Unlimited.

We believe in crafting the greatest good for society. Our strongest investments are in our people and the patients we serve.

Inclusion + Belonging: Committed to Welcoming, Celebrating and Thriving. Learn more about Employee Inclusion Groups on our website (https://www.smith-nephew.com/).

Other reasons why you will love it here!

• Your Future: Major medical coverage + policy exclusions and insurance non-medical limit. Educational Assistance.
• Work/Life Balance: Flexible Personal/Vacation Time Off, Privilege Leave, Floater Leave.
• Your Wellbeing: Parents/Parents-in-Law’s Insurance (Employee Contribution of 8,000/- annually), Employee Assistance Program, Parental Leave.
• Flexibility: Hybrid Work Model (For most professional roles)
• Training: Hands-On, Team-Customized, Mentorship
• Extra Perks: Free Cab Transport Facility for all employees; One-Time Meal provided to all employees as per shift. Night shift allowances.

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Experience Level

Senior Level