Head of Human Resources

We are recruiting a Head of HR for a leading organisation in Dubai, operating across hospitality, leisure and entertainment sectors. The role will be responsible for leading the HR function, translating HR strategy, policies and frameworks into an integrated people agenda that supports business priorities and organisational objectives. Working closely with senior leadership, the Head of HR will provide strategic guidance across workforce planning, organisational effectiveness, talent management, succession planning, employee engagement and employee relations. The role will also provide leadership and oversight to the wider HR team, ensuring consistent delivery of HR services across a complex, multi-site business. Key Responsibilities • Translate HR strategy, policies and frameworks into an annual people agenda aligned with business objectives and workforce requirements. • Partner with senior leadership to provide guidance on workforce capability, organisational priorities, talent requirements and people-related risks. • Lead annual manpower planning and budgeting, working closely with business leaders and Finance to ensure workforce plans align with operational requirements and financial objectives. • Drive strategic workforce planning, organisational design and workforce optimisation to support business growth and operational effectiveness. • Lead talent management and succession planning, including talent reviews, identification of high-potential employees, career development, internal mobility and retention. • Identify leadership and organisational capability gaps and work with Learning & Development to implement appropriate development initiatives. • Provide strategic oversight of recruitment priorities, ensuring alignment with approved manpower plans and business requirements. • Lead Emiratisation initiatives, including workforce planning, talent pipelines, development and retention of UAE Nationals. • Work closely with specialist HR teams on performance management, compensation, benefits and reward frameworks. • Oversee complex employee relations matters, ensuring compliance with UAE Labour Law and internal policies. • Drive employee engagement, organisational culture and employee experience initiatives across the business. • Lead and develop the HR team, ensuring effective delivery of HR operations, governance and employee services. • Utilise HR analytics, workforce data and people metrics to identify trends, manage risks and support informed decision-making. • Drive continuous improvement and digitalisation of HR processes to enhance efficiency, service delivery and employee experience. Qualifications & Experience Essential: • Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organisational Psychology, Management or a related discipline. • 10–15 years of progressive HR experience, including 5–7 years in a leadership role. • Experience within the UAE hospitality, leisure, entertainment or tourism service sectors. • Significant HR leadership experience within a large, complex, multi-site or operationally intensive organisation. • Proven experience partnering with executive and senior leadership teams to translate business requirements into people and organisational priorities. • Strong experience in annual manpower planning and budgeting, strategic workforce planning, organisational effectiveness and workforce optimisation. • Demonstrated expertise in talent management, succession planning, employee relations, leadership development and employee engagement. • Experience leading HR teams and managing HR delivery through managers and professional HR staff. • Strong understanding of performance management and total rewards, including experience working with centralised or specialist HR functions. • In-depth knowledge of UAE Labour Law, employment practices and HR governance. • Strong analytical capability, including workforce reporting, manpower costs and people metrics. • Experience with enterprise HR systems such as SAP HCM, SuccessFactors or equivalent platforms. • Excellent leadership, commercial acumen, stakeholder management and communication skills. Desirable: • Master's degree in HR, Business Administration, Organisational Development or a related field. • CIPD, SHRM or equivalent professional HR qualification. • Experience operating within a group or subsidiary structure with centralised HR specialist functions. • Exposure to organisational transformation, business integration, acquisitions or significant workforce change. • Arabic language skills would be an advantage. If your experience aligns with the above requirements, please apply with your updated CV. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Show more Show less