Center HR Lead

This role provides essential HR support at the Visa Application Centre, focusing on staffing needs, maintaining accurate employee records, managing payroll inputs, and offering practical advice on daily people-related matters. Serving as the primary HR contact for centre employees and managers, the position ensures consistent application of HR policies and local employment regulations while escalating significant issues to the Country HR Head. This opportunity is ideal for an HR Generalist or HR Officer with over four years of hands-on experience in HR operations, including onboarding, employee relations, payroll administration, and HR documentation at the centre level.

Key Responsibilities

Centre HR Support
- Serve as the first point of contact for employees and managers regarding HR issues.
- Consistently apply HR policies and local employment laws.
- Escalate complex or sensitive cases to the Country HR Head.
- Assist the Centre Operations Head with attendance management, rostering, and employee welfare initiatives.

Recruitment and Onboarding
- Collaborate with Talent Acquisition to support recruitment processes from requisition to offer and joining.
- Coordinate interviews, communicate with candidates, and manage selection documentation.
- Oversee onboarding and induction processes, ensuring new hires have the necessary setup, training, and paperwork from day one.
- Monitor probation periods and raise any concerns before completion.

Employee Records, Payroll, and Documentation
- Maintain accurate, audit-ready employee records, including contracts, visas, and sponsorship documents.
- Prepare and verify payroll inputs such as attendance, overtime, and leave, ensuring timely submission.
- Keep HR files and system data current and complete.
- Support internal, client, and statutory audits by providing required documentation and explanations.

Employee Relations
- Advise managers on attendance, conduct, performance, and other routine employee matters.
- Assist with investigations, disciplinary actions, and grievance procedures under guidance from the Country HR Head.
- Ensure employees understand conduct standards and HR policies.
- Identify and escalate emerging employee issues promptly.

Performance, Training, and Engagement
- Support appraisal, incentive, and training cycles at the centre.
- Track mandatory training and certifications, following up on outstanding completions.
- Promote employee engagement and welfare activities.
- Report on headcount, attrition, and absence, highlighting staffing gaps early.
- Maintain confidentiality and handle personal data in compliance with data protection laws.
- Adhere to health and safety requirements and complete mandatory training within deadlines.

Key Working Relationships
Internal collaboration includes the Country HR Head, Centre Operations Head, Operations Lead, centre employees, Talent Acquisition, Payroll, and Centre Finance teams. Externally, the role liaises with local labour and immigration authorities, recruitment and training providers, and medical and insurance providers.

Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field.
- Minimum of three years’ experience in HR generalist or HR administration roles.
- Working knowledge of local labour laws, visa, and sponsorship processes.
- Experience preparing payroll inputs and managing attendance and leave records.
- Background supporting recruitment and onboarding in customer-facing or service environments.
- Proven ability to advise line managers on day-to-day HR matters.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office; familiarity with HRIS or payroll systems is advantageous.
- Fluency in English and the local language of the assigned country.

Preferred Qualifications and Skills
- Experience in high-volume or multi-shift operations is a plus.
- Strong employee service orientation with high accuracy and attention to detail.
- Discretion in handling sensitive information.
- Clear communication skills across all employee levels.
- Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple HR tasks efficiently.
- Competence in HR administration, employment documentation, payroll, attendance, overtime, leave management, recruitment coordination, and employment compliance.
- Basic reporting skills and proficiency in Excel.

This position offers a dynamic environment for HR professionals who thrive in operational roles and enjoy supporting both employees and management in a fast-paced service centre setting.