Director, Middle East People Lead

About Alvarez & Marsal

The Team

• A&M is rapidly growing in the Middle East and is recruiting a Director, Middle East People Lead within our Global People Organisation (GPO) to be based in the Riyadh, Dubai or Abu Dhabi office.
• This person will report to our EMEA People Lead and work closely with senior leadership, advising and leading people-centric initiatives across the region.
• The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in driving employee engagement, workforce planning, and operational excellence while ensuring compliance with all relevant labour laws and regulations.
• This is a high-impact role for a strategic, commercially minded HR leader who thrives in a fast-paced, client-focused environment.
• How you will contribute
• As the Director, Middle East People Lead, your key responsibilities will include:
• Serving as the trusted advisor to senior leaders on all people-related matters, including all elements of the employee life cycle.
• Collaborating with global and regional People leadership teams to design, implement, and execute comprehensive People strategies that support business goals and enhance employee performance and development within the region.
• Designing and executing key People projects specific to the Middle East region.
• Overseeing the professional development of the regional People teams through coaching and mentorship.
• Developing and enforcing people policies, procedures, and best practices across the region in partnership with global and regional leadership.
• Ensuring compliance with local labour laws, industry standards, and organisational policies, mitigating legal and operational risks.
• Advising the local People team on employee relations matters, with support from global or regional leadership as necessary.
• Fostering a culture aligned with A&M’s global vision and values, focusing on diversity, inclusion, and innovation tailored to the local work environment.
• Overseeing People operations, including Workday (our HRIS system), payroll, and queries, in alignment with SLAs.
• Supporting automation of workflows and operational efficiency improvements.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 5 years in leadership roles managing multi-regional teams.
• Experience working in a matrixed, international business with exposure to complex regulatory environments in the Middle East.
• Significant Middle East regional experience, ideally in the professional services sector.
• Fluency in Arabic and English is essential.
• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, or related field; Master's degree preferred.
• Professional HR certifications (e.g., SHRM-SCP, SPHR) highly desirable.
• Proven track record of success in global HR operations and service delivery.
• Strong understanding of HR practices and labour laws across multiple Middle Eastern countries.
• Experience in change management and organisational development.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with ability to influence at all levels.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively in diverse environments.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Your journey at A&M
• We recognise that our people are the driving force behind our success, which is why we prioritize an employee experience that fosters each person’s unique professional and personal development.
• Our robust performance development process promotes continuous learning, rewards your contributions, and fosters a culture of meritocracy.
• With top-notch training and on-the-job learning opportunities, you can acquire new skills and advance your career.
• We prioritise your well-being, providing benefits and resources to support you on your personal journey.
• Our people consistently highlight the growth opportunities, our unique, entrepreneurial culture, and the fun we have together as their favorite aspects of working at A&M.
• The possibilities are endless for high-performing and passionate professionals.
• #LI-KT1