In the healthcare industry, the role of human resources has evolved beyond administrative tasks to become a key player in shaping organizational culture, talent management and employee satisfaction. This shift is especially important in the growing healthcare sector, where attracting and retaining talent is crucial for delivering high-quality patient care. The importance of women leaders in this field cannot be overstated, as they bring a unique perspective to healthcare management.
In this context, Vijaya Sen, Chief Human Resources Officer at Al Zahra Pvt. Hospital Dubai, exemplifies the impact of effective leadership in HR within the healthcare space. With decades of experience across global organizations like GE and various Indian corporates, her journey is one marked by strategic talent acquisition, employee development, and a commitment to gender equality. Her leadership at Al Zahra Hospital has fostered significant growth, both in recruiting the right talent for each role and in developing that talent further.
Let’s delve into her professional journey, uncovering how she continues to lead with impact, while also mentoring the next generation of women leaders in healthcare!
A Career Built on Learning and Leadership
Vijaya’s career began in New Delhi, India, where she graduated in Political Science honors with a gold medal from Delhi University. Her passion for justice and equality led her to pursue a law degree from one of India’s premier universities. Early in her career, she practiced law, even serving as an arbitrator in accident cases for underprivileged individuals in district courts. However, the financial limitations of a legal career prompted her to transition into human resources, a field that aligned with her passion for people and her desire to make a larger impact.
After completing a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management from a top B-school in India, Vijaya began her HR career. Her legal background gave her a strong foundation in understanding organizational policies and compliance.” My legal expertise helps the organization to prevent unnecessary claims that may affect its name and also knows how to respect the rights of employees and taking right decisions within legal framework” she explains.
Her big break came when she joined General Electric (GE), a Fortune 500 company, as an HR executive. Over the course of a decade, she honed her HR skills at GE, benefiting from the company’s renowned leadership training programs. “GE taught me everything from policies to processes, and it was where I first learned about Six Sigma and data-driven decision-making,” she recalls.
A Decade of Growth at GE
At GE, Vijaya became a certified Six Sigma Green Belt leading projects focused on process improvements. Her ability to use data to identify problems and implement solutions became a hallmark of her leadership style. “Data analytics became my strength. At GE, I learned how to define, measure, analyze, improve and control that had a direct impact on business outcomes,” she says. Her experience at GE transformed her into a professional who understood the intersection of data, people and processes.
This experience was pivotal when she transitioned to senior management roles in Indian organizations, where she applied global best practices in a local context. She worked with top Indian corporates, including SRL Diagnostics, a leading global healthcare provider, which marked her entry into the healthcare industry.
Building a Legacy in Healthcare HR
In 2011, Vijaya’s career took a significant turn when she was appointed by Zulekha Hospitals, a women-led healthcare group in the UAE. This role allowed her to combine her HR expertise with her passion for people-centric leadership. “Zulekha Hospitals was my first experience in Hospitals, and it was a remarkable journey. I was handling close to 2,000 employees across two hospitals,” she explains.
At Zulekha, Vijaya was instrumental in expanding the hospital’s operations in both the UAE and India. One of her major accomplishments was working in green field project of the Hospital in central India. This involved developing policies, recruiting staff, and ensuring that operational processes were in place. “Starting a Greenfield project in Central India gave me an in-depth understanding of healthcare HR & employment laws in India. From strategizing the manpower plan for the required capacity of the Hospital to establishing operational frameworks was challenging yet rewarding experience,” she shares.
One of Vijaya’s proudest achievements at Zulekha Hospitals was leading a gender equality initiative in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank. This initiative focused on promoting women in leadership roles, particularly in departments where women were traditionally underrepresented, such as finance and supply chain. “We realized that it’s not enough to have women in junior roles; there needs to be gender equality at all levels of the organization,” she emphasizes.
Navigating Leadership Challenges
As a woman in leadership, Vijaya has faced her share of challenges. She credits her success to her resilience and adaptability. “Leadership is not something that happens overnight. It’s a gradual process of gaining knowledge, making mistakes, and learning from them,” she reflects. Her path on leadership started with GE where she was asked to manage young talented graduates under HRLP (human resource leadership program) to hone their skills in all fields of HR. It was one of the demanding roles as you must understand their expectations and tailor made the program. We rolled out reward programs and recruitment strategies during these 24 months program. Besides this, in my formative years in the leadership role, balancing professional career with family responsibilities was overwhelming. Prioritizing tasks, managing time and well being for self to boost self confidence was important. Along with this, I focused on upskilling through e-learning programs; took the initiative to have mentor within the organization for self-growth and development.
Having spent two decades in a leadership role, I have gathered a wealth of experience and insights. Here are some reflections that might resonate with you.
Adaptability: The cultural diversity and environment in every organization is different. Leaders must stay open to new ideas and approaches.
Building relationships – Invest time in building strong bond with your team members. Show them big “Y” to their tasks, this will enable them to understand the priority and deliver as per expectations.
Managing emotions: One of the key aspects of leadership is the ability to manage your own emotions in high-pressure situations. I strongly propagate that “Don’t react to conflict with aggression, violence, or silence.’ Instead, approach such situations strategically”. Regulate your ego and emotional reactions during conflicts with composure.
Personify your contact with stakeholders: The approach to build is through asking questions rather than providing answers. It reflects that you are understanding them and not dictating your point of view.
Build positive culture: recognizing and celebrating team achievements fosters motivation and positive culture.
These qualities contribute to your development as a collaborative leader.
Leading Transformation at Al Zahra Pvt. Hospital Dubai
In her role, she was tasked with recruiting top-tier doctors and expanding the hospital’s workforce. “33% growth in manpower with addition of best doctors in the region” she notes.
In just two years, she successfully recruited physicians with high skills and experience that paved the expansion of key hospital departments, such as nuclear medicine and pediatric services. “Recruitment is my core competency. Finding the right talent for the hospital is something I take great pride in” she explains.
Vijaya also led the hospital’s Emiratization initiative to recruit and train the local staff through structured developmental and training programs. This achievement highlights her strategic acumen and commitment to local talent development.
Driving Change Through Technology
Vijaya is a firm believer in the power of technology to transform HR practices. From her early days at GE, where she helped implement Oracle 11I, to SAP Success factor in her previous role, technology has been a critical tool in her HR strategy. “Technology plays a huge role in HR, especially in recruitment and employee engagement. It helps us analyze data, identify trends, and make informed decisions,” she explains.
Her approach blends data analytics with human intuition. “Data can tell you what is happening, but people will tell you why it’s happening. My job is to listen to both,” she emphasizes. This strategy has enabled Vijaya to proactively address HR challenges, ensuring the hospital can maintain high standards of care by retaining top talent and fostering a productive work environment.
While technology is central to her HR practices, Vijaya believes it should complement, not replace, the human element. “Technology won’t replace the human element in healthcare, but it will act as a business partner to improve efficiency and outcomes,” she asserts. By leveraging both technology and human insight, she has successfully streamlined HR operations, from recruitment to performance management, ultimately driving better outcomes for the hospital and its staff.
Empowering the Next Generation of Women Leaders
Vijaya’s journey is not just about personal success; it’s about lifting others as she climbs. She is passionate about mentoring young women who aspire to take on leadership roles in healthcare. “Hard work and dedication are key, but it’s also about understanding the impact of your work on the organization’s overall success,” she advises.
One of the most valuable lessons Vijaya imparts to her team is the importance of understanding the broader business context of their roles. “Whether you’re working on recruitment or employee engagement, always ask yourself how this contributes to the organization’s goals. This mindset will set you apart,” she emphasizes.
Cultural diversity, fostered by globalization, has a profound positive impact on personal and societal development. By being exposed to diverse cultures, individuals gain valuable insights and perspectives that contribute to personal growth, cognitive flexibility, and critical thinking skills. She states that “I believe that exposing oneself to diverse cultures and nationalities is incredibly enriching and UAE offers its expats professional connections with people from different backgrounds”.
Vijaya also stresses the importance of continuous learning and being open to new challenges. “Never stop learning, and don’t be afraid to seek advice from those more experienced. The more you know, the more value you can add,” she advises.
The Future of Healthcare HR
Reflecting on her 30-year career, Vijaya believes that the role of HR in healthcare will continue to evolve. “The healthcare HR field is distinct from other industries because it requires a deep understanding of clinical and non-clinical roles. As technology and medical practices evolve, so must HR strategies,” she explains.
To keep up with these changes, Vijaya advocates for continuous professional development, especially for women in male-dominated fields. “Women must come out of their comfort zones and commit to self-development. Invest in continuous learning, build strong professional networks, and seek mentors who can guide you,” she advises.
A Leader’s Journey
Vijaya’s journey from a law graduate to a trailblazing HR leader in the healthcare industry is a testament to her resilience, adaptability, and commitment to excellence. Her hospital experience in the UAE provided her with valuable insights into healthcare regulation and labor law compliance. By navigating the relationship between regulatory bodies and processes, she developed a strong understanding of managing both people and procedures, which is essential for ensuring regulatory adherence and the well-being of staff and patients.
As she continues to lead and inspire, Vijaya remains a powerful advocate for women in leadership, using her platform to mentor and empower the next generation. Her story is not just one of personal success, but one of creating opportunities for others to thrive in a sector that is as challenging as it is rewarding. “Leadership is about growing alongside your team and constantly seeking ways to improve both yourself and the organization,” she concludes.
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