Head of HR – UAE & KSA

Overview

About the role

Strategic HR Leadership & People Advisory

• Act as a strategic advisor to Executive Management on all HR and workforce-related matters
• Partner with leaders to design organizations that effectively support both operational and office-based teams
• Translate business priorities into practical people-centered actions that resonate across all workforce segments
• Lead employee relations initiatives, including dispute resolution and organizational interventions

Workforce Planning, Talent & Employee Lifecycle

• Lead workforce planning aligned with business growth and operational realities
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and employee lifecycle processes
• Partner with leadership on hiring strategies, workforce structures, and succession planning
• Ensure smooth onboarding and integration, especially for expatriate and site-based employees
• Ensure attraction, development, and retention of talent while maintaining workforce stability

Employee Relations, Labour Law & Compliance

• Manage employee relations and labor matters in line with UAE & KSA labor laws
• Act as a key point of contact for complex employee relations matters, with strong on-the-ground involvement
• Build trust with blue-collar employees through visibility, accessibility, and consistent communication
• Support leaders in resolving employee issues, conflicts, and workplace challenges
• Ensure fair, consistent, and legally compliant HR practices
• Develop and implement HR policies and conduct audits to ensure governance and continuous improvement

Performance, Development & Engagement

• Implement performance management practices aligned with business goals
• Support leaders in driving performance through effective people management
• Drive career development, succession planning, and talent initiatives
• Foster a high-performance culture while ensuring employee engagement and sustainable workloads

Compensation, Benefits & Employee Value Proposition

• Design and manage competitive compensation and benefits structures
• Lead salary benchmarking, job evaluations, and incentive programs
• Enhance benefits and offerings to meet both organizational and employee needs

HR Operations, Systems & Employee Experience

• Oversee HR operations including HRIS, payroll coordination, and employee records
• Ensure smooth delivery of employee services (facilities, travel, housing, etc.)
• Manage HR systems, reporting, and workforce analytics
• Drive efficient processes while maintaining a positive employee experience

HR Transformation, Projects & Change Management

• Lead HR transformation and digitalization initiatives
• Manage HR projects end-to-end, ensuring delivery and impact
• Drive change management with strong focus on communication, adoption, and employee impact
• Ensure change initiatives are clearly communicated and understood by all workforce segments, including non-office employees
• Define and track KPIs to measure both business and people outcomes
• What do I need to qualify for this role?
• Strong experience in an HR Business Partner or HR leadership role, preferably in a global or matrixed organization
• Experience partnering with senior leaders on people, workforce, and organizational topics
• Experience managing large blue-collar or operational workforce populations
• Proven experience in employee relations, labor law, and workforce management
• Experience supporting organizational change and leadership decision-making
• A collaborative style and confidence working across all levels

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or related field (master’s preferred)
• 12–15 years of HR experience, including 5+ years in a leadership role within UAE & KSA
• Strong knowledge of UAE & KSA Labor Law
• Experience in HR transformation and project management

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic thinking and business acumen
• Leadership and stakeholder management
• Change management and transformation expertise
• Communication and influencing skills
• Strong business understanding and the ability to translate business priorities into people actions
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities an end-to-end experience which anchors improved performance
• A pragmatic, resilient, and solutions-oriented mindset
• The ability to work effectively in a dynamic and fast-changing environment
• About the Team
• You will report to Global HR BP ICS of VL and work closely with the regional VL and VI HR colleagues, and HR Functions and HR Service team.