Head of GBS India

Company Description

We are SGS – the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity. Our 100,000 employees operate a network of 2,500 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world. 

Job Description

Role purpose

Lead and scale the SGS GBS center in Hyderabad, delivering high-quality, cost-effective and scalable services across multiple functions. The role combines hands-on operational leadership with building the capabilities, governance and culture required for sustainable growth.

Scope and reporting

• Lead an organization of approximately 100 FTEs, expected to grow to 200–300 FTEs over the next two years.
• Report to the Head of Global Business Services.
• Position Hyderabad as a strategic delivery center within the global GBS network

Key responsibilities

Build and scale the center

• Lead the expansion of the Hyderabad center, including organization design, workforce planning, recruitment, infrastructure and operational readiness.
• Build a strong local leadership team and talent pipeline to support growth.

Lead operations and service delivery

• Oversee multifunctional operations, ensuring consistent service quality, efficiency and accountability against agreed SLAs and KPIs.
• Lead the transition, integration and stabilization of new services.

Drive transformation

• Advance process standardization, automation, AI and continuous improvement with global functional and process owners.
• Improve productivity, scalability and operational maturity.

Manage performance and governance

• Own the center budget, cost management, resource utilization and financial reporting.
• Ensure compliance with Indian regulations, SGS policies and internal controls, while proactively managing operational risk.

Engage stakeholders and develop culture

• Build trusted relationships with global leaders, business stakeholders and internal customers.
• Foster an accountable, collaborative and customer-focused culture, with strong engagement, development and retention.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, operations or a related field; MBA preferred.
• 10+ years of leadership experience in GBS, shared services or complex operations.
• Proven experience building or scaling a multifunctional service center, ideally in India and with 100+ employees.
• Strong track record in service transitions, transformation, process improvement and change management.
• Sound financial and commercial acumen, including budget and performance management.
• Effective leadership in a global matrix and multicultural environment.
• Strong knowledge of the Indian talent market and local operating environment.
• Fluent English; international travel as required.
• Entrepreneurial, pragmatic and results-oriented.
• Strategic thinker with a hands-on execution style.
• Strong communicator and influencer across functions and organizational levels.
• Able to build high-performing teams and establish clear accountability.
• Customer-focused, resilient and comfortable managing rapid growth and competing priorities.
• High standards of ethics, integrity and compliance

Additional Information

Why SGS?

• Global and very stable company, world leader in the TIC (Testing, Inspection and Certification) industry.
• SGS university and Campus for continuos learning options.
• Multinational environment where you will work with colleagues from multiple continents.
• Benefits platform.

Join Us: At SGS we believe in innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.  We offer a supportive and inclusive work environment that encourages professional growth and personal development.