
Ganesh Ullal
Strategic HR & L&D Leader | HRBP | People & Culture Transformation | Audit & Operations Excellence
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About
Results-driven HR and L&D Leader with distinguished track record in experienced leadership across Big 4 Audit KPMG Global Services, EXL Services, Fidelity Investments & audit firm. Architect of end-to-end technical compliance learning ecosystems from TNA and curriculum design, regulatory adherence, policy management to LMS/LXP deployment (Saba Cloud, Cornerstone, SAP SuccessFactors, Degreed) for workforces of 8,000+.
Proven track record: 100% training compliance, 30% faster time-to-productivity, 20% L&D cost savings, and 60%+ learner reach expansion through digital-first delivery. Strategic HRBP for 524+ employees across six verticals - driving predictive people analytics, succession planning, and EVP-led engagement with zero compliance escalations. AI-enabled practitioner integrating Microsoft Copilot and Generative AI to reduce programme build time by 13% and accelerate L&D operations.
The rare combination of strategic architect, trusted people partner, and results-driven operator built across these years and three high-impact career verticals.
Experience
Sr.HR Learning & Development Manager - KPMG Global Services (KGS) - Bengaluru, India (2014-2026) Big 4 | Audit | 5,000+ Employees - Enterprise Corporate L&D Strategy: Architected and executed end-to-end L&D strategy for 5k professionals spanning technical, leadership, soft skills, firmwide risk & complaince training integrations, curriculum curation and ensuring zero compliance escalations across regulated frameworks including NASBA, PCAOB, POSH, Data Privacy, Data Protection and CPE Credit compliance programmes - achieving 100% training completion rate. Experienced in policy governance, risk monitoring, corrective action su - Flagship Catalyst Programme: Designed and led 'Catalyst' - a 3-day residential blended leadership programme for 500+ Manager-to-Partner level professionals at a premium offsite venue with celebrity keynotes and multi-partner sessions - delivering 13% productivity uplift, 10% attrition reduction, and measurably stronger trust in leadership's KRA initiatives.
- Project Management: Partnered as end-to-end Leadership Programme for 4 targeted capability initiatives: PMP Certification (98 employees), Interviewer Accreditation (150 professionals), Train-the-Facilitator (190 facilitators), and Performance Development Series (5,000+ participants).
- Digital Learning Transformation: Deployed Saba Cloud, Cornerstone OnDemand, Degreed, and LinkedIn Learning - expanding learner reach by 60%+ and streamlining NASBA CPE credit processing across the firm.
- AI & Technology Integration: Integrated Microsoft Copilot (Teams, Excel, PPT) and Generative AI / prompt engineering into L&D content development workflows - reducing programme build time by 13% and saving significant facilitator and design hours annually.
- Cost Optimization: Integrated Risk & Compliance and Governance firm-wide Data Privacy, Data Protection, and POSH training into CPE-credit NASBA programmes with Quantitative data analysis, synthesis, Corporate strategy and renegotiated vendor contracts - delivering 20% L&D cost savings through digital-first delivery models.
- Learning Evaluation: Revamped Kirkpatrick Levels 1-3 evaluation frameworks and real-time dashboards to measure programme effectiveness and support data-driven curriculum improvement with Structured problem-solving & strategy frameworks.
- Stakeholder Partnership: Partnered with global stakeholders across the US and India to conduct learning needs analysis (TNA), co-designed curriculum, collaborated with PCOAB & SOQC compliance team and embed a high-performance learning culture aligned to business priorities and change management goals. HR Business Partner (HRBP) - KPMG Global Services (KGS) - Bengaluru, India (2019-03 - 2020-10) Big 4 | Audit - Strategic HRBP: Partnered as a trusted HR Business Partner for 524+ employees across 6 diverse business verticals financial service audit industries - Mentored senior leaders on succession planning, talent management, change management and business case & scenario analysis.
- Predictive People Analytics: Engineered attrition models, headcount dashboards, and talent scorecards enabling proactive workforce intervention - reducing early attrition by 5% and achieving maximum Metrics That Matter (MTM) engagement survey participation.
- Employee Lifecycle Management: Managed full lifecycle for 524+ employees - on-boarding, performance cycles (L2/L3 moderation), PIPs, disciplinary processes, secondments, and exits - maintaining zero compliance escalations.
- HR Digital Transformation: Automated HR reporting via Rekonnect and Converge platforms - reducing manual HR processing effort by 20% and enabling real-time decision-making for business leaders with business process analysis & improvements.
- Engagement & Culture: Piloted HR engagement initiatives including LT Connects, Buddy Programs, HR Orientation Sessions, and Rewards & Recognition programmes - consistently driving high engagement scores across all supported verticals.
Senior
Associate 2 / Assistant Manager - Audit Operations - KPMG Global Delivery Center (GDC) - Bengaluru, India (2014-03 - 2019-03) Big 4 | Audit - Client & Stakeholder Management: Managed a portfolio of 8 high-profile financial services industries US audit clients overseeing end-to-end delivery. scheduling, workforce planning, end to end reviews with Industrial market, investment mgmt, oil& gas, power & utilities with 100% SLA.
- Capability Building & Mentoring: Mentored and coached 160+ professionals (Levels 1-4) through targeted learning interventions - reducing ramp-up time and measurably improving team productivity and audit quality.
- Process Excellence: Steered Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and process improvement initiatives - reducing error rates and audit cycle time, enhancing overall GDC operational efficiency.
Championed
Rewards & Recognition programmes enhancing performance culture.
Lead Assistant
Manager - Operations & Transitions - EXL Services (Outsource Partners International) - Bengaluru, India (2007-08 - 2014-03) BPO | US Audit - Team Leadership: Headed 3 teams of 80+ members; completed on-site US audit process training and managed structured knowledge transition to India operations - delivering 100% quality output with zero critical errors over 6 years - Retention Excellence: Maintained 0% team attrition across 98% of people-management tenure; Governed SLA-driven operations and KRA-based performance management across 46 teams (600+ headcount).
- Talent Acquisition Support: Contributed as technical panel interviewer in GDC recruitment programme - travelling across locations and supporting successful hiring of approximately 2,800 professionals.
- Process Improvement: Implemented MIS reporting, RCA analysis, and process re-engineering initiatives & data-driven continuous improvement Senior Associate - US Healthcare Operations - Fidelity Investments - Bengaluru, India (2004-08 - 2007-08) - Subject Matter Expert: Primary SME and liaison for General Motors and Bank of America accounts - managing Health & Welfare insurance processing with zero escalations and 100% SLA compliance.
- Process Improvement & Awards: 4 Quick Hit improvement projects saving 8%+ process time eliminating 4 FTE Six Sigma: Achieved Six Sigma Yellow Belt; contributed to Green Belt and global automation (Clever Project) initiatives; part of Business Continuity Plan (BCP) programme.
Audit
Executive - Sriramulu Naidu Chartered Accountants & Co.
- Mangalore, India (2002-07 - 2004-02) - Statutory Audits: Administered statutory audits for MAHE Manipal Group, State Bank of India, and Lord Krishna Bank - ensuring financial accuracy, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency.
Education
Executive General Management Program - General Management - Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore (2019 - 2019)
B.Com - Business Accountancy & Auditing - St. Aloysius College, Mangalore (2002 - 2002)
