Soniya S

Strategic Chief People Officer with 12+ years of experience in executive leadership to drive organizational transformation, governance, and business excellence. Expertise in building scalable organizations through people strategy, leadership development, AI adoption, organizational design, and operational excellence across SaaS, IT Services, Healthcare, BPO, and Hospitality.

Chief People Officer | Business Transformation & Organizational Excellence Leader - AdevTech Corp

(2024-08)

Key Strategic Achievements

• Partnered with the CEO to establish governance across 6+ business functions including HR, Product, Engineering, QA, Business Analysis, Customer Success, and Operations.
• Spearheaded enterprise-wide organizational development initiatives including leadership capability development, succession planning, competency frameworks, manager effectiveness programs, and learning transformation.
• Established Monthly Business Reviews (MBRs) and Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs), enabling executive visibility into organizational performance.
• Led HR governance initiatives that contributed to the successful renewal of the organization's ISO 27001 Surveillance Certification.
• Partnered with department heads to establish governance across HR, Technology, QA, Product Management, Business Analysis, and Operations, strengthening cross-functional execution.
• Built structured leadership capability programs, manager development initiatives, and succession planning frameworks to support organizational growth.
• Organizational Governance: Established MBR/QBR, leadership dashboards, department scorecards and organization-wide KRA framework across HR, Technology, QA, BA, Product and Operations.
• Business & Delivery Governance: Implemented project governance covering release management, RAID, resource planning, project health tracking and standardized documentation.
• ISMS & Compliance: Led HR compliance initiatives supporting successful ISO 27001 Surveillance Certification renewal; strengthened policies, SOPs, access governance, onboarding and exit processes.
• HR Transformation: Implemented competency-based performance management, structured L&D, leadership development, manager capability and succession planning frameworks.
• AI & Digital Transformation: Drove responsible AI adoption and AI-assisted improvements across documentation, governance, knowledge management and operational processes.
• Leadership & Culture: Partnered with senior leadership to strengthen employee engagement, leadership capability, performance culture, coaching and recognition programs.

Employee Engagement Manager - Sterling Holidays - Chennai

(2024-01 - 2024-05)

• Developed employee engagement programs to enhance workplace culture and collaboration.
• Facilitated workshops and training sessions for staff to improve communication skills.
• Collaborated with leadership to align engagement strategies with business objectives.
• Coordinated team-building activities to foster relationships among employees across departments.
• Planned and executed employee engagement initiatives including Family Day, GM’s Annual Meeting, Back-to-School events, Annual Award Ceremony, and sports/cricket activities, fostering employee engagement, recognition and team bonding. Organized and facilitated a series of internal events to promote collaboration among staff members.
• Worked closely with external vendors to plan team-building activities that encouraged collaboration within teams.

Site Engagement Specialist - Genesys - Chennai

(2023-05 - 2023-11)

• Conceptualized and launched “One Genesys,” connecting site SPOCs across Business Excellence, Customer Care, Employee Engagement, Innovation, Diversity & Inclusion, Sustainability and CSR initiatives.
• Selected to visit Genesys, Ireland to learn and bring back best practices, workplace facilities and employee engagement initiatives for the Chennai site.
• Solely managed the weekly employee newsletter through Workday, covering site activities, achievements, events, announcements and employee highlights.
• Established the Toastmasters Council at the Chennai site, creating a platform for employees to strengthen communication, presentation and leadership skills.
• Designed and executed employee engagement, recognition and team-building initiatives aligned with Genesys culture and values.
• Conducted employee focus groups and engagement surveys to identify needs and translate feedback into engagement initiatives.
• Coordinated with external vendors and internal stakeholders to deliver employee events and engagement activities.
• Advised leadership on employee recognition and engagement strategies to strengthen morale and workplace culture.

Lead – Employee Engagement - iMerit - Kolkata

(2021-07 - 2023-05)

• Led employee engagement strategy and annual activity calendar, planning and executing initiatives across the organization.
• Successfully launched Empuls independently, driving the initiative from concept to implementation.
• Managed internal communications and social media content to strengthen employee connect and engagement.
• Planned and executed Rewards & Recognition programs, promoting a culture of appreciation and performance.
• Managed vendor identification, evaluation and coordination for employee engagement activities and events.
• Designed and implemented engagement, team-building, diversity and inclusion initiatives aligned with organizational culture.
• Analysed engagement surveys, and employee feedback to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
• Partnered with HR and leadership on employee experience, retention and engagement strategies.
• Prepared engagement reports and dashboards to provide leadership with insights into employee sentiment and engagement trends.

HR Solution Advisor - Astrazeneca - Chennai

(2019-09 - 2023-04)

• Provided HR support to employees on policy and procedure inquiries.
• Managed employee onboarding processes and facilitated orientation sessions.
• Assisted in implementing HR initiatives to improve employee engagement.
• Maintained accurate employee records within the HR information system.
• Maintained up-to-date knowledge on employment law guidelines and best practices in order to provide sound advice regarding personnel matters.
• Collaborated with other departments to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations related to human resources management.

Lead Employee Engagement - Sutherland Global Services - Chennai

(2014-08 - 2019-04)

• Coordinated onboarding processes to ensure smooth integration of new hires.
• Facilitated training sessions to enhance employee skills and compliance knowledge.
• Responded to employee inquiries regarding policies, benefits, and procedures.
• Organized company events to promote team building and employee engagement.
• Guided new hires through orientation and onboarding and explained documentation requirements to facilitate HR process.
• Assisted with planning, organizing and coordinating company events.
• Scheduled appointments, meetings, and conferences with employees to discuss and mitigate personnel issues.
• Posted job announcements and pre-screened applicants to candidates for available positions.
• Guided employees through automated self-service platform for real-time attendance tracking and queries.
• Coordinated communication with external partners like insurance vendors and recruitment agencies.
• Facilitated new hire orientations and employee training sessions.

MBA - Human Resources Management - Alagappa University - Karaikudi (2022-01)

B.Sc. - Visual Communications - University of Madras - Chennai (2015-01)

H.S.C - Government Board - Chennai (2009-01)

SSLC - Matriculation Board - Chennai (2007-01)