Rajendra Dhangay

I'm a strategic HR leader with 22+ years of experience building, transforming, and scaling people functions across complex operating environments, PE-backed turnarounds, post-acquisition integrations, greenfield country setups, and globally distributed remote workforces spanning 30+ countries.

My work sits at the intersection of business strategy and people outcomes. I've partnered with PE investors, Boards, and CXOs to shape 3-year people roadmaps, drive margin expansion, and deliver workforce decisions that hold up under investor scrutiny.

I help organizations figure out what their people strategy needs to be, then build the systems, teams, and culture to execute it.

What I bring to the table:
🔹 Post-acquisition HR integration — I've stabilized workforces, harmonized compensation structures, and rebuilt IR frameworks during high-stakes M&A transitions, including serving as interim HR head for a PE-backed pharma group managing 1,700+ employees across 6 manufacturing units
🔹 Greenfield HR build-outs — Currently architecting the end-to-end HR function for a global precision manufacturer entering India, covering org design, compliance (Labor Codes, POSH, DPDP), HRMS implementation, and global systems integration
🔹 Cost & workforce optimization — Delivered INR 14 Cr+ in HR-linked savings through workforce redesign, in-house capability build, and operational productivity initiatives
🔹 Multi-country HR governance — Built and ran HR across 11 African countries, established country entities in Philippines, Nigeria, and Kenya, and managed expatriate workforces across MENA, SEA, and Europe
🔹 Talent & culture at scale — Reduced attrition from 26.7% to 19.2%, raised engagement to 86%, and built employer brands that held up in competitive talent markets

I'm equally comfortable in the boardroom shaping strategy and on the ground building processes from scratch. I've set up shared services centers, deployed HRMS platforms in weeks, and taken on Country Director responsibilities when the business needed it.

Currently based in Hyderabad. Open to HR Director and Head of People roles in SaaS, Tech, Manufacturing, and Pharma in India (hybrid) and internationally across Dubai, Singapore, Riyadh, Manila, and Nairobi.

Let's connect if you're building something ambitious.