Mohamed Farhan Refai
Eastwood
Summary
With over 21 years of experience in HR, I have worked at reputable organizations such as Domayne Services Pty Ltd in Australia, Commercial Bank PLC, and Amana Bank PLC in Sri Lanka. Throughout my career, I have gained extensive knowledge in HR management and successfully led cross-functional projects in the field. My expertise includes HR strategy development, talent attraction and development, career management, and rewards and benefits management. I also have a strong background in business partnering and handling complex HR issues. Succession planning, managing young teams, and innovating HR practices are areas where I excel. I am skilled in negotiating win-win compromises, developing team-building programs, and creating impactful personnel manuals, corporate policies, job descriptions, and management reports.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
HR Generalist
DOMAYNE SERVICES PTY LTD
05.2024 - Current
- Joined Domayne Services, a Cleaning and restoration services company in the capacity of HR Generalist in May2024
- Reporting to the MD/ Proprietor and Overseeing the entire HR function of the company since date of joined
- Duties and responsibilities:
- Identifying future hiring needs and developing job descriptions and specifications
- Collaborating with Managers to compile a consistent list of requirements
- Attracting suitable candidates through databases, online employment forums, social media, etc
- Conducting interviews and sorting through applicants to fill open positions
- Assist with the resolution of employee relations issues, including investigations, disciplinary actions, and grievances and promote a fair and inclusive workplace
- Drive initiatives that enhance team member engagement, including the rollout of the engagement survey and action plan
- Develop and implement programs that foster a positive and collaborative work environment
- Manage employee data and records, always ensuring accuracy and confidentiality
- Offer guidance to managers and staff on people-related matters and HR policies
- Support the delivery of training and development programs
- Ensure compliance with employment laws, workplace policies, and best practices
- Manage employee onboarding, offboarding, and help drive initiatives aimed at enhancing employee wellbeing and organizational culture
- Partner with managers to enhance their leadership capabilities and manage any performance and employee relations issues if they arise
- Oversee the development planning and performance feedback cycle to support employee growth and development
- Manage the HR inbox and HRIS, ensuring smooth employee movement processes and handling employee and manager inquiries
Head of Human Resources (Asst Vice President – HR)
AMANA BANK PLC
08.2013 - 10.2023
- Joined Amana Bank in the capacity of Senior Executive in2013
- Ascended to the grade “Head of Human Resources” within a short span of5 years
- Overseeing the entire HR function of the Bank since July2015
- Selected Accomplishments:
- Drove proper compliance and administration of HR policies, procedures, handbook, investigations, and employee relations programs aligning with organizational goals
- Introduced the KPI based Performance Management System and the first formal performance review program, creating a flexible and well-received tool that was later adopted Bank-wide
- As a result of this the Bank embraced a performance driven culture which facilitated towards achieving profits turn around in2015 and continuing to increase profits there onwards
- Critically evaluated each job role and all divisions within the Bank
- Restructured the reporting lines and job roles to optimize the Bank’s manpower
- A redeployment pool was introduced where employees were added from Divisions where there was excess manpower
- Assigned employees from redeployment pool to various other Divisions/ Departments who had manpower shortages to optimize human capital
- Automation of the entire transactional work processes of HR through introducing an HRIS
- As a result of this a considerable workload has been simplified while increasing the efficiency and the speed of delivery
- Proven track record of developing a learning strategy in line with business strategy
- Developed and implemented a blended approach which integrates different learning modes, such as coaching, classroom, online learning and action learning
- Designed and introduced leadership development programs at all levels
- Integrated learning strategy and tactics with other talent management practices (e.g., succession planning, career planning)
- Headed HR shift from paper-based documentation to digital, saving time and money
- Boosted employee retention, especially targeting the high potential/ performing employees and facilitated continued business growth with minimal risk
- Designed and implemented “HIPO” (High Potential Employees) program and effectively managed to foster employee engagement and career progression aspirations
- Won the “Can Do” icon award at Awards Day in2016 at Amana Bank in recognition of various HR related projects which resulted in creating a significant impact to the Bank
- Received commendation from Board level and very good performance ratings throughout the career
Assistant Manager
COMMERCIAL BANK OF CEYLON PLC
09.2003 - 08.2013
- Joined Commercial Bank – HR Department in2003 as Banking Trainee
- Promoted as Junior Executive Assistant in2006 and then as Junior Executive Officer in2007
- Spent9 years at HR in various grades performing duties related to HRIS, Compensation & Benefits, Performance Management and Employee Relations
- At the latter stages in my career at Commercial Bank I was given an assignment as Acting Branch Assistant Manager in2012
- Selected Accomplishments:
- Devised creative and cost-effective incentive and morale-boosting programs that increased employee satisfaction and productivity
- Performed an industry level salary/ benefits survey together with Hewitt Associates to standardize employee benefits scheme
- Involved in collective bargaining/ agreements with the Ceylon Bank Employees Union
- Was instrumental in developing the HRIS, Intranet and the computer based online performance management system
- Automated many manual works related to HR via HRIS
- Earned commendations from client executives for communication deliverables that targeted desired audiences and articulated the value of products and services
Education
Introductory award - training skills
CITY & GUILDS
Master’s Degree - Business Management
UNIVERSITY OF COLOMBO
01.2015
Professional Qualification - Human Resources Management
CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
01.2011
Certificate - Human Resources Management
CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
01.2008
Certificate - Banking & Finance
INSTITUTE OF BANKERS OF SRI LANKA
01.2007
Skills
- HR Business partnering
- Advising the Board and Management pertaining to employment Law
- HR Policies and procedures
- Staff recruitment and retention
- Employee engagement
- Change Management
- Succession Plans for key positions
- Compensation & benefits
- Training & development
- Performance management
- Organizational development
- Dispute resolution, discipline & grievance handling
- Reward strategies & flexible benefits
Languages
English
Full Professional
Sinhala
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
HR Generalist
DOMAYNE SERVICES PTY LTD
05.2024 - Current
Head of Human Resources (Asst Vice President – HR)
AMANA BANK PLC
08.2013 - 10.2023
Assistant Manager
COMMERCIAL BANK OF CEYLON PLC
09.2003 - 08.2013
Introductory award - training skills
CITY & GUILDS
Master’s Degree - Business Management
UNIVERSITY OF COLOMBO
Professional Qualification - Human Resources Management
CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
Certificate - Human Resources Management
CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
Certificate - Banking & Finance
INSTITUTE OF BANKERS OF SRI LANKA
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