Be the single point of accountability for the smooth, professional, and compliant running of neXavault's new cybersecurity office at SmartCity SEZ, Kochi - and spearhead the firm's corporate human-resources function end-to-end. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), this is a hands-on, senior leadership role spanning corporate HR (recruitment, policy-making, and the full employee lifecycle), office operations, administration, guest / front-office coordination, and the coordination of the firm's ISO certifications and industry empanelments. You will build and run both the people engine and the day-to-day engine of the office as it scales, ensuring staff, visitors, leadership, and auditors experience a well-run, welcoming, and audit-ready workplace.

Key Responsibilities - Office Operations Management

• Take end-to-end ownership of day-to-day office operations, ensuring a smooth, productive, and professional workplace.
• Oversee facilities and infrastructure: workspace readiness, seating, utilities, power / UPS / DG coordination, HVAC, and (with IT) internet and telecom uptime.
• Manage housekeeping, pantry, maintenance schedules, and the teams / vendors delivering them.
• Coordinate SEZ entry/exit formalities, gate passes, and asset movement with SEZ customs/admin, and liaise with SmartCity SEZ authorities and building management.
• Plan and execute office setup, expansion, space planning, and seating allocation as headcount grows.
• Coordinate physical security and access control for the controlled facility (with the security team).
• Maintain site business-continuity readiness (power, connectivity, emergency procedures).

Key Responsibilities - Corporate Human Resources

• Spearhead the firm's corporate HR function end-to-end - own HR strategy, structure, and delivery across the organisation, reporting directly to the COO.
• Lead corporate talent acquisition and recruitment: manpower / workforce planning with hiring managers, employer branding, sourcing, screening, interview coordination, offers, and joining formalities across all functions.
• Own HR policy-making - draft, implement, and maintain the corporate HR policy framework, employee handbook, code of conduct, and HR SOPs, keeping them aligned with labour law and business needs.
• Manage the complete, end-to-end employee lifecycle: onboarding, induction, confirmation, transfers, promotions, and exit through to full & final settlement.
• Administer attendance, leave, shift rosters (including 24/7 GSOC shifts), payroll inputs, and benefits.
• Maintain accurate HRIS / personnel records and employee files.
• Build and run performance-management cycles - goal-setting, appraisals, and training / learning & development.
• Lead employee engagement, welfare, retention, and culture initiatives across the organisation.
• Ensure statutory and labour-law compliance (PF, ESI, gratuity, professional tax, Shops & Establishments / SEZ), coordinating with finance and legal.
• Handle employee relations, grievances, and disciplinary matters fairly, confidentially, and consistently.
• Advise leadership on HR strategy, organisation design, compensation structure, and people risk.

Key Responsibilities - Certifications, Empanelment & CERT-In Liaison

• Coordinate the implementation, maintenance, and recertification of the firm's ISO management systems: ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO 27001 (Information Security), ISO 27701 (Privacy Information), and ISO 20000-1 (IT Service Management).
• Manage ISO documentation, internal audits, management reviews, corrective / preventive actions, and external certification & surveillance audits; liaise with certification bodies and consultants.
• Coordinate STQC empanelment - applications, documentation, assessments, and renewals.
• Coordinate CREST empanelment / accreditation processes and periodic renewals.
• Act as the administrative point of liaison with the CERT-In team for empanelment, audit, and reporting requirements, maintaining correspondence and records.
• Maintain a central register, calendar, and evidence repository for all certifications and empanelments, keeping the organisation continuously audit-ready.

Key Responsibilities - Front Office & Guest Coordination

• Own the reception / front-office experience and visitor management for clients, auditors, candidates, and partners.
• Coordinate guest hospitality: scheduling, meeting-room readiness, refreshments, and a professional welcome.
• Manage travel, accommodation, and logistics (domestic and international) for staff and visiting guests.
• Organise internal and client meetings, events, audits, inaugurations, and offsites end-to-end.
• Act as the first point of contact for incoming calls, couriers, and front-desk queries.

Key Responsibilities - Procurement, Vendor & Asset Management

• Source, negotiate, and manage vendors, AMCs, and service contracts (facilities, travel, supplies, equipment).
• Procure office supplies, furniture, consumables, and IT peripherals (with IT), within budget.
• Maintain the fixed-asset register - tagging, allocation, and periodic audits.
• Process administrative invoices, petty cash, and expense reimbursements with finance.

Key Responsibilities - Records & Reporting

• Maintain statutory registers, licences, and renewals for the office / SEZ unit.
• Keep organised records and documentation; ensure the office is audit-ready at all times.
• Prepare periodic MIS and reports on admin/HR operations, headcount, and costs for management.

Must-Have Skills & Qualifications

• 6+ years across administration, office operations, and HR, including a managerial role - ideally in IT / cybersecurity / services.
• Proven experience spearheading / owning a corporate HR function end-to-end - talent acquisition, policy-making, the full employee lifecycle, and statutory compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to run a full office independently: facilities, vendors, front-office, and HR operations.
• Hands-on experience coordinating ISO implementation / audits (e.g. 27001, 9001) and/or government / industry empanelment processes (STQC, CERT-In, CREST).
• Strong working knowledge of Indian labour law and statutory compliance.
• Excellent organisational, multitasking, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills with a genuine service mindset for guests and staff.
• High integrity, discretion, and a strong sense of ownership.
• Proficiency with HRIS / payroll tools, MS Office, and administrative systems.

Certifications & Education

No hands-on cybersecurity certification is required. The following are preferred / advantageous:

• Bachelor's / Master's in HR, Business Administration, or a related field (MBA-HR / Operations advantageous).
• Knowledge of ISO 27001 / 9001 management systems; an ISO 27001 Lead Auditor / Lead Implementer credential is a strong advantage.
• Familiarity with SEZ-unit administration and Kerala-specific statutory requirements.

Why John & Smith

• Build and run the operational backbone of a brand-new cybersecurity office from the ground up.
• A senior, high-trust role with direct access to leadership and broad ownership across operations, people, and compliance.
• Shape the culture and day-to-day experience of a fast-growing, CERT-In empanelled, CREST-certified organisation.

How to Apply

Submit your CV / resume to hr@johnandsmith.co.in.