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Kailashnath Balu

Strategic Agile Leader | Enterprise Transformation | Portfolio & Change Management

Bengaluru

16+ years of work experience

GSK
May 20224 yrs 6 mosPresent

Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Direct end-to-end delivery across 3 major technology towers, coordinating 9 Product Owners and 100+ engineers, analysts, and data specialists within an Agile Release Train (ART). Spearhead an AI-first delivery shift, integrating AI capabilities (such as MS Copilot and automated flow analytics) into team workflows, sprint planning, and reporting to boost productivity and delivery predictability. Orchestrate quarterly PI Planning, release governance, and operational cadences to align cross-team dependencies with overarching enterprise business roadmaps. Oversee the Big Event Platform team driving enterprise-wide initiatives (including MS Townhall) and lead critical cybersecurity risk-mitigation projects for unauthorized applications.
Western Digital
Jun 20201 yr 11 mosApr 2022

Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Led the execution of next-generation HDD firmware R&D initiatives across cross-functional engineering, product, and data analytics teams. Championed SAFe adoption across the APAC region, establishing scalable delivery models, predictable value flow, and standardized delivery metrics. Mentored 20+ Scrum Masters and engineers, utilizing data-driven insights to maintain execution stability and velocity during global remote-work shifts.
Western Digital
Jan 20206 mosJun 2020

Bangalore

SIXT Research & Development India
Oct 20181 yr 4 mosJan 2020

Bangalore

Managed a 25-member cross-functional team delivering core operational capabilities for the platform. Established agile delivery frameworks for a newly formed engagement, improving delivery transparency, feature alignment, and cycle times.
Capgemini
Nov 20162 yrsOct 2018

MIPL Chennai

Served as Scrum Master for multiple cross-functional engineering teams operating in a Scaled Agile framework for global financial payment platforms. Enhanced delivery predictability using quantitative team metrics, automated tracking, proactive impediment removal, and executive stakeholder alignment.
Customer Analytics, LLC
Oct 20133 yrs 2 mosNov 2016

Led the delivery of analytics-driven customer intelligence solutions for enterprise clients including Ashley Furniture Industries and Mayo Clinic Hospitals. Partnered closely with data science and engineering teams to translate analytical insights into production-ready software features.
Cognizant
Jul 201016 y 3 moOct 2026

Chennai

Kailashnath’s AI Stack

claude
claude
gemini
gemini
notion
notion
openai
openai
ChatGPT
ChatGPT
Microsoft Copilot
Microsoft Copilot

Education

Mepco Schlenk Engineering College

Bachelor of Engineering - BE, Electrical and Electronics Engineering

Mepco Schlenk Engineering College

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Headline

Strategic Agile Leader | Enterprise Transformation | Portfolio & Change Management

About

I’m a transformation-focused leader with years of experience helping organizations embed agility at scale, align strategy with execution, and drive meaningful change across functions. As a senior member of the Strategy, Transformation, and Portfolio Office, I partner with executive teams to deliver cross-functional impact—bridging long-term vision with near-term value. My core strength lies in leading enterprise-wide agile transformations—not just implementing frameworks, but building the culture, mindset, and structures needed for agility to thrive. From PI Planning and Scrum of Scrums to Lean Portfolio Management and agile governance, I bring the tools and leadership required to unlock enterprise performance. What sets me apart is a balanced leadership approach: ✔️ Strategic clarity with operational grounding ✔️ Empathy-driven team empowerment ✔️ Calm, structured problem-solving in high-stakes environments Whether facilitating portfolio prioritization at the executive level or coaching delivery teams through change, I lead with authenticity, collaboration, and a focus on long-term impact. I don’t just drive agility—I enable organizations to lead with it.

Location

Bengaluru

AI stack

claude

gemini

notion

openai

ChatGPT

Microsoft Copilot

Work experience

Principal Project Manager / RTE at GSK, May 2022 - Present · 4 yrs 6 mos, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, Direct end-to-end delivery across 3 major technology towers, coordinating 9 Product Owners and 100+ engineers, analysts, and data specialists within an Agile Release Train (ART). Spearhead an AI-first delivery shift, integrating AI capabilities (such as MS Copilot and automated flow analytics) into team workflows, sprint planning, and reporting to boost productivity and delivery predictability. Orchestrate quarterly PI Planning, release governance, and operational cadences to align cross-team dependencies with overarching enterprise business roadmaps. Oversee the Big Event Platform team driving enterprise-wide initiatives (including MS Townhall) and lead critical cybersecurity risk-mitigation projects for unauthorized applications.

Manager 4, Program Management at Western Digital, Jun 2020 - Apr 2022 · 1 yr 11 mos, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, Led the execution of next-generation HDD firmware R&D initiatives across cross-functional engineering, product, and data analytics teams. Championed SAFe adoption across the APAC region, establishing scalable delivery models, predictable value flow, and standardized delivery metrics. Mentored 20+ Scrum Masters and engineers, utilizing data-driven insights to maintain execution stability and velocity during global remote-work shifts.

Principal Engineer - Firmware Engineering at Western Digital, Jan 2020 - Jun 2020 · 6 mos, Bangalore

Program Manager 2 at SIXT Research & Development India, Oct 2018 - Jan 2020 · 1 yr 4 mos, Bangalore, Managed a 25-member cross-functional team delivering core operational capabilities for the platform. Established agile delivery frameworks for a newly formed engagement, improving delivery transparency, feature alignment, and cycle times.

Scrum Master at Capgemini, Nov 2016 - Oct 2018 · 2 yrs, MIPL Chennai, Served as Scrum Master for multiple cross-functional engineering teams operating in a Scaled Agile framework for global financial payment platforms. Enhanced delivery predictability using quantitative team metrics, automated tracking, proactive impediment removal, and executive stakeholder alignment.

Business Team Lead at Customer Analytics, LLC, Oct 2013 - Nov 2016 · 3 yrs 2 mos, Led the delivery of analytics-driven customer intelligence solutions for enterprise clients including Ashley Furniture Industries and Mayo Clinic Hospitals. Partnered closely with data science and engineering teams to translate analytical insights into production-ready software features.

Programmer Analyst at Cognizant, Jul 2010 - Oct 2026 · 16 y 3 mo, Chennai

Education

Bachelor of Engineering - BE, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Mepco Schlenk Engineering College