Sanjay Bose: Redefining Human Resources Leadership in Hospitality |The HR Visionary of Indian Hospitality: Sanjay Bose’s Legacy at ITC Hotels |From Taj to ITC: Sanjay Bose’s Transformative HR Leadership Story
The Human Face of Hospitality
Behind every world-class hotel experience lies not just the architecture, fine dining, or luxury amenities—but the people who make it come alive. In the hospitality industry, it is the people who create the warmth, trust, and loyalty that keep guests returning. At the core of shaping, nurturing, and empowering this workforce stands the role of human resources leadership. Few individuals embody this responsibility with as much dedication, vision, and impact as Sanjay Bose, the Executive Vice President – Human Resources, Learning & Development at ITC Hotels.
With nearly three decades of expertise in global HR leadership across India and international markets, Bose has transformed the way hospitality organizations think about people strategy, workforce engagement, and organizational culture. His story is not only one of professional excellence but also of resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering belief that people are the true differentiators of any business.
Early Life and Education: Building the Foundations
Every great leader’s journey begins with a strong foundation, and for Sanjay Bose, education and early exposure to management principles shaped his worldview. He pursued his MBA in Human Resources from XISS Ranchi, one of India’s premier institutions for management education. It was here that his natural inclination for understanding people, his empathetic mindset, and his strategic thinking found a structured direction.
Later, his hunger for knowledge and leadership refinement led him to complete advanced management programs at IIM Bangalore and the Stephen Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. These global experiences exposed him to the best practices of HR leadership across industries, preparing him to handle diverse workforce challenges and dynamic organizational structures in a rapidly globalizing business landscape.
Education was not merely a credential for Bose—it became the intellectual foundation that would allow him to marry academic insights with real-world problem-solving, particularly in one of the most people-driven industries in the world: hospitality.
Career Beginnings: The Hospitality Connection
Hospitality is unlike any other industry. It is simultaneously glamorous and demanding, rewarding yet high-pressure. For HR leaders, it offers the unique challenge of balancing organizational strategy with deeply human connections. Sanjay Bose found his calling in this space early on, beginning his career with the Taj Group of Hotels (Indian Hotels Company Ltd), one of the most iconic hospitality chains in India.
At Taj, he was entrusted with roles of increasing responsibility, handling HR functions not just at the domestic level but also internationally. Over his tenure, he gained exposure to 12 different countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and South Africa, where he managed diverse cultural contexts, global labor practices, and the complexities of multinational workforce management.
This early career experience gave him a panoramic view of how hospitality businesses function in different geographies. It also sharpened his ability to build cross-cultural teams, develop leadership talent, and adapt HR strategies to unique environments. The Taj experience cemented his reputation as a forward-thinking HR professional capable of balancing corporate objectives with employee welfare.
The ITC Journey: Leadership at Scale
In 2017, Sanjay Bose transitioned to ITC Hotels, the luxury hospitality division of ITC Limited, one of India’s largest conglomerates with a turnover of USD 7.5 billion. At ITC Hotels, Bose assumed the role of Executive Vice President – Human Resources, Learning & Development, a position that placed him at the helm of HR for one of the most respected hospitality portfolios in the country.
He now oversees HR functions across ITC’s expansive hotel and travel businesses, spanning over 16,000 employees. This scale presents both opportunities and challenges: designing consistent policies for a large workforce while tailoring solutions for individual properties, balancing operational efficiency with human warmth, and ensuring that ITC Hotels remains a preferred employer in the competitive hospitality sector.
Bose’s approach at ITC has been marked by three defining pillars:
- People-Centric Leadership – Putting employees at the heart of every decision, ensuring their voices are heard and their well-being prioritized.
- Future-Ready Talent – Focusing on leadership development, skill-building, and preparing the workforce for digital and cultural shifts in hospitality.
- Sustainable Growth – Aligning HR strategies with ITC’s broader sustainability vision, ensuring growth is inclusive, ethical, and long-term.
Under his leadership, ITC Hotels has not only strengthened its HR frameworks but also enhanced employee engagement and retention, creating a workplace culture that mirrors the excellence of its guest experiences.
Philosophy of HR: People as the Core of Business
For Sanjay Bose, HR has never been about policies, compliance checklists, or administrative processes alone. His philosophy is rooted in the belief that people are the greatest competitive advantage. Buildings may be grand, and services may be polished, but it is people who deliver hospitality.
This people-first philosophy has guided him in several critical areas:
- Leadership Development: Identifying and nurturing future leaders who can sustain and grow the organization.
- Workplace Culture: Building inclusive, supportive, and engaging environments where employees feel valued.
- Employee Well-Being: Advocating for psychological safety, work-life balance, and career satisfaction.
- Adaptability: Preparing organizations to stay resilient amid disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic, where workforce management strategies became crucial to survival.
By positioning HR as a strategic partner rather than a back-end function, Bose has helped redefine the narrative of human resources in hospitality.
Industry Leadership and Professional Engagement
Beyond his corporate responsibilities, Sanjay Bose has established himself as a thought leader and industry influencer. He actively contributes to professional bodies such as:
- CII (Confederation of Indian Industry)
- NHRDN (National HR Development Network)
- Global Sustainability Hospitality Alliance (London)
His involvement with these organizations allows him to shape industry-wide HR strategies, share best practices, and influence policy-making.
Bose also plays a pivotal role in academia, bridging the gap between theory and practice. He collaborates with institutions such as MDI Gurgaon, IMT Ghaziabad, TISS, WGSHA–Manipal, and IHM Pusa, where he serves on boards, advisory committees, and guest faculties. His contributions ensure that the next generation of HR professionals are equipped with practical insights and real-world perspectives.
Awards and Recognition: Celebrating Excellence
The impact of Sanjay Bose’s leadership has been widely recognized through multiple prestigious awards:
- CHRO of the Year 2019 – Business World
- Best CHRO 2022 – W.E. Matter
- Change Maestro and Institution Builder Award 2024 – Indian Achievers’ Club
These accolades reflect not only his professional excellence but also his ability to inspire change, build institutions, and lead with integrity.
Thought Leadership: Voices That Inspire
As a speaker, writer, and mentor, Sanjay Bose is often invited to share his perspectives on evolving HR dynamics. He has addressed critical issues such as:
- Workforce management during disruptions – Strategies for resilience and adaptability in uncertain times.
- Post-pandemic recovery – Ensuring employee safety, psychological well-being, and engagement in a changed world.
- The future of HR – Emphasizing the integration of technology, inclusivity, and sustainability into HR practices.
His thought leadership makes him a respected voice in both industry conferences and academic circles, influencing HR practices beyond the boundaries of his organization.
Legacy and Impact: The Human Touch in Luxury Hospitality
In an industry where guest experience is paramount, Sanjay Bose’s legacy is clear: he has shown that employee experience is equally vital. By building systems that prioritize learning, growth, and inclusivity, he has ensured that ITC Hotels’ workforce remains its strongest asset.
His career demonstrates that HR leadership, when done with empathy and vision, can shape not just organizations but entire industries. Bose’s story is an inspiring biography of resilience, adaptability, and people-centric transformation—values that resonate deeply in today’s business world.
Conclusion: Writing the Next Chapter of HR in Hospitality
Sanjay Bose’s journey from a young HR graduate at XISS Ranchi to one of India’s most respected HR leaders is a testament to the power of vision and dedication. His biography is not just a story of professional milestones but of a philosophy—that the future of business is written in the stories of its people.
As he continues to guide ITC Hotels and contribute to global HR discourse, Sanjay Bose stands as a symbol of leadership that is humane, strategic, and transformative. For the hospitality industry and beyond, his legacy will remain a benchmark of how HR can redefine business success.
Sanjay Bose: A Journey of HR Leadership in Hospitality
Sanjay Bose’s journey in human resources is a remarkable story of vision, commitment, and transformation within the hospitality sector. With over three decades of professional excellence, he has become one of the most respected HR leaders in India’s hotel industry.
He began his career with a solid academic foundation in business and human resources, which gave him both theoretical knowledge and a practical approach to managing people. His early professional experiences with The Oberoi Group honed his skills in talent acquisition, training, and organizational culture—three elements that would later define his leadership style. At Oberoi, he worked closely with operational teams, gaining firsthand understanding of the challenges and opportunities in luxury hospitality.
His defining career leap came with ITC Hotels, where he rose to the role of Senior Vice President – Human Resources. At ITC, Sanjay Bose played a pivotal role in shaping HR strategies that aligned with the company’s vision of excellence and sustainability. He focused on building robust talent pipelines, creating employee engagement initiatives, and strengthening employer branding to make ITC Hotels one of the most sought-after places to work in the hospitality sector.
Beyond policies and systems, Sanjay Bose has always emphasized the “human” in human resources. His passion lies in nurturing talent, fostering leadership, and ensuring that employees not only grow professionally but also experience a sense of belonging. Under his guidance, ITC Hotels has consistently been recognized for its people-centric approach and inclusive workplace practices.
Today, Sanjay Bose stands as a thought leader in HR, frequently contributing to industry forums, leadership panels, and academic institutions. His journey reflects how strategic HR can truly transform organizations, turning them into hubs of innovation, excellence, and human connection.