The role of an HR professional transcends traditional boundaries, evolving into a realm where the true essence lies in empowering employees to discover purpose and passion within their work. HR leaders play a pivotal role in fostering positive workplace cultures, ensuring that individuals are not merely employees but contributors to a shared vision.

With a deep understanding of people, their diversity and aspirations, Kavitha Nagarajan, Senior Director – Human Resources at Epicor, creates an environment where every individual can thrive, transforming jobs into meaningful journeys and workplaces into thriving communities. Kavitha's extensive experience in the IT/ITES industry, coupled with her expertise across the HR domain, showcases her as a capable, passionate, and enthusiastic HR leader. Her commitment to ethics, leading by example, and dedication to shaping holistic wellbeing of employees makes her a standout leader in the HR landscape.

As a dedicated professional, Kavitha is driven to connect with people and possesses a strong service orientation to internal customers. Her expertise encompasses talent management, workforce planning, employee life-cycle management, people engagement, compensation & benefits, legal compliance, and corporate social responsibility. She fosters positive workplace cultures, creating a space where employees not just contribute but are set up for success and enjoy an impactful career journey.

What are some important facets of your professional journey?

My professional journey revolves around diverse experiences and unexpected opportunities. I didn't initially set out to become an HR professional; instead, my journey began as a means of sustenance and employment. I engaged in various kinds of work, exploring different genres along the way. These diverse experiences eventually steered me towards the field of HR.

A significant turning point occurred when one of my leaders recognized my potential and offered me a role in HR. Since then, my career path has been shaped by this transition. I didn't actively choose the HR profession; rather, it chose me. This unexpected shift has defined my professional life, leading me on a journey I hadn't anticipated but embraced whole heartedly.

Tell us about your educational background and industry experience

I hold a bachelor’s degree in arts with a focus on economics, sociology, and history from Bangalore University. Following that, I pursued my Post Graduation in Human Resources from XLRI, Jamshedpur.

My experience spans supporting different business functions across information services, technology, and products. I began my professional journey around 25 years ago with a small private IT company. Over the years, I transitioned to smaller startup organizations and then moved on to well-established companies such as LEC Software (taken over by IBM), HCL Technologies, and AT&T. I have been working with Epicor since August 2019.

Tell us about your key areas of expertise as a HR leader.

My expertise as a leader in Human Resources revolves around the holistic understanding of the employee lifecycle within organizations. I have garnered extensive experience in every aspect of HR, from onboarding to ensuring a seamless employee experience, from performance management to fostering strategic business partnerships.

My experience spans supporting different business functions across information services, technology, and products. I began my professional journey around 25 years ago with a small privately held IT company. Over the years, I transitioned to smaller start-up organizations and then moved on to well-established companies such as LEC Software (taken over by IBM), HCL Technologies, and AT&T. In the last four years, I have been working with Epicor, a leading company in the IT product space. My diverse experience in both smaller startups and large corporations within the IT industry has equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of the sector. These experiences have honed my skills and knowledge, enabling me to bring a wealth of expertise to the table in my current role.

Provide an overview of Epicor and outline your key responsibilities as the Senior Director-Human Resources?

Epicor stands proudly as a leader in the 2023 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Cloud ERP for Product-Centric Enterprises. Our company is driven by a forward-thinking vision, aiming to create a cognitive, digital ecosystem that benefits our customers today.

At Epicor, I serve as the Senior Director-HR, overseeing India, APAC, Middle East, and Africa regions as an HR business partner leader. My overall responsibility is to support business leaders with talent management - nurturing employees, ensuring their well-being and growth, from the moment they join the organization until their departure. This includes managing essential HR functions such as onboarding, employee engagement, performance management, and talent management. Additionally, I provide support in organizational design, offering strategic guidance to functional leaders, which contributes significantly to our overall business objectives.

With a dedicated team, we cater to the needs of our diverse workforce, which comprises approximately 1100 employees spread across 11 countries within the India, APAC, Middle East, and Africa regions. My role involves meticulously ensuring that my team meets all HR deliverables and goals. Moreover, I foster strategic partnerships with our centres of excellence - learning and development, talent acquisition, HR operations, total rewards. Through these collaborations, we focus on delivering exceptional results in terms of hiring, retention, and talent management, aligning our efforts with Epicor's overarching vision.

How do you drive growth for the company and its stakeholders?

Our focus is to foster growth across international and that includes investing in our people, products, and partners. My goal is to ensure that we identify the right individuals for the appropriate roles within the organization.

The second key area of my focus revolves around enhancing the employee experience at Epicor. We take pride in being Great Places to Work certified, and I am dedicated to sustaining this positive work culture. Employee satisfaction and retention are key areas of focus, ensuring that our workforce continues to find value, growth, and fulfilment in their roles.

Another key area of focus centers on our long-term strategic growth. This involves acquiring the right talent and expertise particularly in technology, to steer the business forward. We are constantly exploring various strategies to position Epicor as a leader in the industry. These focused strategies will drive growth not only for the company but also for our valued stakeholders, ensuring Epicor's continued success and competitiveness in the market.

What are the challenges of being an HR leader and how do you overcome them?

Recognizing the diverse perspectives and individual aspirations of employees is paramount. As an HR professional the challenge is in aligning the organization values so leaders can walk the talk and lead by example. From fresh graduates to experienced professionals, my passion lies in ensuring that every individual brings their whole self to work and feels genuinely committed. It goes beyond offering competitive salaries and impressive titles – the challenge is understanding the complexities of human nature. It's about delving into the human aspect of HR, employing emotional intelligence (EQ), and going beyond conventional policies.

I invest time in active listening, open communication, being empathetic, understanding employees' aspirations, concerns, and motivations. Collaborating with leaders and departments, I develop holistic strategies prioritizing both organizational objectives and employee fulfilment. As a leader, my aim is to find the right approach, a kind of 'mantra,' ensuring every employee feels valued and fulfilled, creating a harmonious work environment for both the company and its employees to thrive.

What are your career milestones and accolades?

I believe that success lies in empowering employees to discover purpose and passion in their work. It transcends the daily routine and involves fostering a workplace where commitment goes hand in hand with genuine love for one's tasks. In every organization I've been a part of, I've spearheaded initiatives that extend beyond work obligations. One notable accomplishment was founding an employee resource group at AT&T, which began with just seven members and has evolved into a formidable force contributing significantly to social causes. We dedicated thousands of hours to volunteering, creating a tangible impact. Additionally, I've adeptly navigated the challenges of organizational acquisitions, ensuring a seamless transition for teams ranging from smaller groups to over 500 people.

I have been honoured with several awards throughout my career. I was recognized as a Visionary HR Leader by The Crown Awards. I have received accolades such as the Excellence in HR, Diversity & Inclusion Award and Top HR Innovator Award. At AT&T, I have been acknowledged with the President's Volunteer Service Award, HR Impact Award, Employee Volunteer Champion, and HR Service Leader Awards. These achievements reflect my commitment to creating workplaces that thrive on a combination of dedication, passion, and a genuine sense of community.

Kavitha Nagarajan, Senior Director, Epicor Software

As Senior Director-Human Resources at Epicor, Kavitha oversees key regions, driving the company's success through strategic HR initiatives. Her innovative approach and dedication to creating inclusive and fulfilling work environments have made her a respected leader in the HR domain.