Head of HR, Gulf

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with senior business leaders to define and deliver an HR strategy that supports commercial priorities, organisational effectiveness, and sustainable growth.
• Act as a trusted advisor on talent, performance, organisation design, culture, leadership, and change.
• Build an inclusive, high-performing culture that strengthens engagement, collaboration, and accountability.
• Lead initiatives that improve employee experience, organisational capability, and overall workforce productivity.
• Strengthen leadership capability and succession depth by driving focused development plans for critical talent and future leaders.
• Ensure high-quality HR delivery in partnership with specialist teams, balancing strategic impact with strong operational execution.
• Lead talent, succession, and workforce planning to ensure strong pipelines, critical capability, and effective retention across the Gulf.
• Coach and challenge leaders to apply HR policies and practices effectively, managing risk while enabling sound, commercially balanced decisions.
• Lead the localisation agenda across five countries, ensuring compliance with local regulation while supporting business continuity and workforce planning.
• Manage key external relationships, including local HR vendors and partners, to support effective and compliant delivery.
• Own the HR budget for the Gulf, ensuring disciplined investment and alignment with business priorities.
• Lead, coach, and develop the HR Business Partner team to build capability, consistency, and strong partnership with the business.
• Represent HR on leadership meetings

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in related field; Master’s degree preferred (or equivalent)
• 10+ year experience in senior HR Business Partner roles with growing responsibilities
• Experience in developing and leading teams (ideally with virtual leadership experience)
• Demonstrates strong digital and AI fluency, including the practical application of tools such as Microsoft Copilot and emerging technologies to enhance decision-making, simplify work, improve employee experience and drive organisational effectiveness
• Demonstrated experience in relationship building and collaboration with senior leaders, ability to operate effectively in a highly matrix and fast-paced environment.
• Comprehensive understanding of all aspects of Human Resource Management from recruitment and throughout the employee lifecycle.
• Experience with managing HR budgets
• Experience with employment law issues and demonstrated experience in conflict resolution
• MetLife is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
• We are committed to attracting, retaining and maximizing the performance of a diverse and inclusive workforce.
• It is the policy of MetLife to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination on any basis protected by law.

About MetLife