From ticket handling to running the operation alone as an SME: Ponnamma on three promotions, stargazing, and why she never says no

From handling onboarding tickets to leading HR operations for the UK & Ireland, Ponnamma’s journey at AtkinsRéalis reflects steady growth, ownership, and a mindset of saying yes to new challenges.

Ponnamma describes herself as a selenophile, someone who loves the moon. Her fascination with the night sky started in school, when she first learned about Ursa Major. “The Big Dipper, shaped like a spoon sparked my curiosity about stars. I began watching moving lights in the sky, and exploring constellations through various stargazing apps.” 

On clear nights, she’s outside identifying what she can. The rest of the time, she’s gardening, baking experimental desserts, or dancing. But it’s the stargazing that says something about her: patient, curious, and always looking for patterns in the bigger picture. 

That same instinct has shaped a career at AtkinsRéalis that’s moved steadily upward. Ponnamma is now Lead HR Operations in the UK & Ireland onboarding team, based in Bengaluru. She’s been with the business for over seven years and has been promoted four times. 

Four roles, each one a change

The progression tells the story. 

As an HR Analyst, the work was transactional, onboarding cases, ticket handling, data entry. Ponnamma consistently delivered the highest volumes with no compromise in quality. 

As an HR Associate, she moved into deeper process ownership, root-cause analysis, peer support, and ensuring accuracy across the operation. “I naturally stepped into SME-level responsibilities even before receiving the title.” 

As a Senior Associate, things escalated. Due to unforeseen circumstances, she found herself managing the entire operation independently for a period. “This required perseverance, working beyond regular hours, and ensuring service continuity. It strengthened both my operational mastery and leadership capability.” 

The move into Lead HR Operations came from what she describes as a “never say no” attitude. “I firmly believe that everything happens for good, and approaching situations with a positive mindset has helped me navigate complex scenarios with clarity.” 

Seeing the impact in person

As Lead, Ponnamma no longer onboards candidates directly. Her focus is on SLA adherence, data accuracy, and the overall candidate and customer experience. But an onshore visit to the UK changed how she thinks about the work. 

“Seeing how delays or inaccuracies influence line managers, candidates, and business timelines reinforced the importance of timely and accurate delivery. This perspective is something I emphasise with my team, because understanding the customer’s challenges enables us to serve them better.” 

It’s one thing to process an onboarding case from Bengaluru. It’s another to meet the project team that was waiting for that person to start.

Her advice

“Consider learning as the greatest opportunity. With dedication and consistency, everything else naturally falls into place.”  

And to women building their careers: “Do it for yourself. Staying true to your goals and aspirations will drive your success. Surround yourself with supportive mentors and peers who uplift and challenge you.”

If you’re ready to say yes to growth like Ponnamma, explore opportunities at AtkinsRéalis.