"Alerted.org

Senior Director – Human Resources

Leading at Cognizant

This is a Leadership role at Cognizant. We believe how you lead is as important as what you deliver. Cognizant leaders at every level: **Drive our business strategy** and inspire teams around our future. **Live the leadership behaviors** , leading themselves, others and the business. **Uphold our Values** , role modeling them in every action and decision. **Nurture our people and culture** , creating a workplace where all can thrive.

At Cognizant, leadership transcends titles and is embodied in actions and behaviors. We empower our leaders at every level to drive business strategy, inspire teams, uphold our values, and foster an inclusive culture.

About the role

As a Senior Director – Human Resources, you will make an impact by overseeing all aspects of the Human Resources function across Belcan’s global footprint at Cognizant. You will be a valued member of the senior leadership Human Resources team, reporting directly into the Cognizant Global Head of Human Resources for Corporate Functions, and works in close alignment with the Executive Leader for Belcan and future defense/aerospace market/service lines. The incumbent will drive the integration and alignment of Belcan's talent management, organizational development, compensation, benefits, and Human Resource policies with Cognizant’s protocols and culture, ensuring seamless assimilation into CTS and supporting Belcan’s business objectives.

In this role, you will be responsible for:

+ Strategy Clarity & Alignment: Translate business strategies into actionable people and organizational priorities. Lead discussions with business leadership to align HR initiatives with organizational vision and business goals.

+ Cross-Functional Partnership: Drive effective collaboration between Business Unit HR leads, CTS HR Centers of Excellence, EX-Hub, and other resources to execute people processes.

+ People and Process Management: Facilitate the integration and adoption of best practices supporting talent management, TSC, Academy, compensation and benefits, legal, compliance, and performance management. Influence and support business unit leaders and associates in assimilating these practices.

+ Data-Driven HR: Leverage data analytics to identify people-related challenges and implement initiatives that enhance effectiveness and discipline in HR practices.

+ Strategic Talent Management: Assess talent strengths and needs, partner with Talent Management to link business priorities to talent outcomes, conduct talent reviews, and collaborate on key talent assessment, coaching, and succession planning. Make strategic decisions to build, develop, buy, or borrow talent as required.

+ Change Design & Management: Lead change initiatives related to organizational structures, practices, culture, and programs/processes. Develop and execute change management and communication plans in partnership with subject matter experts and the internal communications team.

+ Knowledge Management & Advocacy: Serve as an ambassador and role model for Cognizant’s people policies and practices. Share knowledge with peers, team members, and stakeholders to elevate organizational HR capability.

+ Consistently demonstrate the **Cognizant Way to Lead,** which means operating with **Personal Leadership** (building trust, collaboration, and inclusion), **Organizational Leadership** (driving vision and purpose, demonstrating a strategic and enterprise mindset, and creating and communicating a bold direction that inspires purpose), and **Business Leadership** (exemplifying client focus, managing ambiguity with accountability and results, and operating with financial acumen

What you need to have to be considered

+ Minimum 13–15 years of Human Resources experience, with at least 7 years in proven leadership roles.

+ Postgraduate degree in HR, MBA, or related field, or equivalent business acumen.

+ Demonstrated ability to analyze data, simplify complexity, and focus on relevant issues.

+ Preferred background in IT, engineering, or professional services industries.

+ Ability to read complex situations, act with agility and urgency, and operate at both strategic and tactical levels.

+ Strong leadership presence, diplomacy, and the courage to make impactful decisions.

+ Excellent critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and inspirational leadership behaviors.

+ Exceptional people skills and unshakable integrity.

+ Embodiment of the **Cognizant Way to Lead** : Leading Self, Leading Others, & Leading the Business

+ The embodiment of Cognizant’s Values of: Work as One, Dare to Innovate, Raise the Bar, Do The right Thing, & Own It

These will help you succeed

+ Strategic Planning: Setting long-term direction and making informed decisions.

+ HR Consulting: Investigating and resolving day-to-day organizational challenges.

+ Policy Development: Creating and implementing effective HR guidelines.

+ Organizational Development: Assessing and addressing people needs in alignment with organizational responsibilities.

+ Talent Management: Fostering an environment that enables employees to perform at their best.

+ Flexibility to travel to our Belcan client sites when needed.

Work model –

We believe hybrid work is the way forward as we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a hybrid position requiring 3 days a week in a client or Cognizant office. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance though our various wellbeing programs.

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you’re engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations

We're excited to meet people who share our mission and can make an impact in a variety of ways. Don't hesitate to apply, even if you only meet the minimum requirements listed. Think about your transferable experiences and unique skills that make you stand out as someone who can bring new and exciting things to this role.

Salary and Other Compensation:

Applications will be accepted until December 15, 2025.

The annual salary for this position is between $129,600- $200,000 depending on the experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program and stock awards, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.

Benefits: Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

+ Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance

+ Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off

+ 401(k) plan and contributions

+ Long-term/Short-term Disability

+ Paid Parental Leave

+ Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.