HR Business Partner - Airline Operations

About This Role

Synopsis

Act as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to leaders across airline operations, supporting a fast-paced, highly dynamic and regulated environment. You will work closely with managers and employees on all people-related matters, bringing a pragmatic, solutions-focused approach to enable business performance.

This role requires a hands-on HR Business Partner who can operate effectively in an environment of constant change—balancing strategic input with day-to-day delivery. You will act as a proactive communicator and change agent, building strong relationships with stakeholders, understanding evolving operational demands, and ensuring people initiatives align with business priorities.

You will be expected to bring resilience, adaptability, and a “can-do” mindset—thriving in ambiguity and navigating shifting priorities while maintaining a strong focus on outcomes and stakeholder engagement.

Accountabilities

• Deliver and execute people plans aligned to business priorities, adapting quickly to changing operational requirements
• Partner closely with operational leaders to understand workforce challenges and provide pragmatic, business-focused HR solutions
• Act as a trusted advisor on all HR policies, processes, and employee relations matters, including exposure to complex and high-risk cases
• Build strong, credible relationships with stakeholders at all levels, influencing decision-making and driving engagement across the business
• Support leaders in delivering core HR programmes including performance management, succession planning, organisational design, and capability development
• Drive engagement initiatives across operational teams to enhance employee experience in a fast-paced, frontline environment Identify training and capability gaps within the business and design/deliver targeted interventions and workshops
• Lead and support change management initiatives, ensuring effective communication, stakeholder alignment, and adoption across impacted teams
• Coach and empower people managers to effectively lead their teams, providing them with the tools, insights, and confidence to manage day-to-day people matters
• Support the development and progression of key talent groups, including high-potential employees and UAE National talent pipelines

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• Professional HR qualification preferred
• A minimum of 5 years of proven HR Business Partnering experience within a complex, fast-moving environment
• Experience supporting operational or frontline functions (e.g. aviation, logistics, transport, engineering, or similarly regulated industries) is highly advantageous
• Demonstrated ability to operate in ambiguous, rapidly changing environments with resilience and adaptability
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with experience partnering senior leaders and influencing outcomes Exposure to a broad range of HR disciplines including employee relations, performance management, organisational development, and change management Track record of delivering both strategic HR initiatives and hands-on operational support

Recruitment Process

The recruitment process for this position will involve the following steps:

• All applications will be reviewed by a human-member of our Recruitment Team
• Shortlisted applicants will be invited to completed a recorded video interview via our thrid-party platform HireVue. This interview will allow you to record your responses to a range of questions related to the position and will allow you to demonstrate your knowledge and experience in a way that just your CV alone would not be able to. It also ensures fairness for you and all candidates, as all of our shortlisted candidates are asked the same questions and assessed on their responses.
• After a review of completed video interviews, shortlisted candidates will be invited to an initial interview with the hiring manager
• Shortlisted candidates may be invited to attend a final, follow up interview, which may include a brief case study component.

All candidates will be notified as to the status of their application as soon as is possible.

About Etihad Airways Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, was formed in 2003 and quickly went on to become one of the world’s leading airlines. From its home in Abu Dhabi, Etihad flies to passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and North America. Together with Etihad’s codeshare partners, Etihad’s network offers access to hundreds of international destinations. In recent years, Etihad has received numerous awards for its superior service and products, cargo offering, loyalty programme and more. All this ties into Etihad’s ambitious Journey 2030 strategy. The airline plans to double its fleet size and triple the number of customers over the next six years as it sets out to be the airline everyone wants to fly!

To learn more, visit etihad.com

Recruitment Fraud Alert Beware of fraudulent job offers from individuals or organizations claiming to represent the Etihad group. We will never ask for personal information, bank details, or payment during the recruitment process. Interviews are conducted face-to-face or via video/telephone before any formal offer. If you are asked for money, please treat it as fraudulent.