Director - Employee Relations, Policy & Governance

Michael Page; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

Michael Page is seeking a senior Employee Relations leader for the UAE to oversee governance, policy and compliance across a large multi-business group. The role acts as the senior escalation point for complex ER matters and drives policy harmonisation, transformation initiatives and organisational governance.

The successful candidate will lead a small ER team, partner with senior leadership on workforce risk and transformation, and support automation and AI-enabled HR initiatives while ensuring

Qualifications

• Significant experience in employee relations, governance, compliance and policy development.
• Proven background managing sensitive investigations, grievances, disciplinary processes and complex escalations.
• Experience creating and implementing policies from first principles within large-scale organisations.
• Strong understanding of employment law and regulatory compliance; legal qualifications are advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Act as the senior escalation point for complex, sensitive ER cases.
• Lead employee relations governance across multiple entities for consistency and compliance.
• Develop, write, implement and enforce group-wide people policies and governance frameworks.
• Provide expert guidance on investigations, grievances and disciplinary matters.
• Drive compliance with employment legislation and internal governance standards.
• Partner with senior leadership on workforce risk and transformation initiatives.
• Support automation and AI-enabled people transformation programmes.
• Establish reporting, controls, escalation processes and case management frameworks.
• Influence senior stakeholders and challenge non-compliant behaviours when required.
• Lead and develop a small ER function within a lean corporate structure.

Skills

Employee relations

Governance

Policy development

Investigations

Disciplinary matters

Stakeholder management

Change management

Transformation

Case management

Regulatory compliance

Education

HR professional qualifications (CIPD/SHRM)

Job description

An opportunity to lead employee relations, governance, policy and compliance across a large, complex multi-business organisation. This role sits at group level and acts as the senior escalation point for critical employee relations matters while driving policy harmonisation, transformation initiatives and organisational governance.Client DetailsLeading diversified enterprise operating across multiple businesses and sectors.

Description

• Act as the senior escalation point for complex, sensitive and high-risk employee relations cases.
• Lead employee relations governance across multiple business entities, ensuring consistency, compliance and best practice.
• Develop, write, implement and enforce group-wide people policies and governance frameworks.
• Provide expert guidance on employee relations investigations, grievances, disciplinary matters and organisational risk.
• Drive compliance with employment legislation and internal governance standards.
• Partner with senior leadership on workforce-related risk, organisational change and transformation initiatives.
• Support organisation-wide automation and AI-enabled people transformation programmes.
• Work closely with change management and transformation teams to identify efficiencies and improve ways of working.
• Establish robust reporting, controls, escalation processes and case management frameworks.
• Influence senior stakeholders and challenge non-compliant behaviours when required.
• Operate effectively within a lean corporate structure, balancing strategic priorities and operational delivery.
• Lead and develop a small employee relations function while providing expert advisory support to the wider organisation.

Job OfferThere is a competitive package of up to 70,000 AED on offer and the unrivalled opportunity to join a highly reputable player in the UAE

• Significant experience in employee relations, governance, compliance and policy development.
• Proven background managing sensitive investigations, grievances, disciplinary processes and complex escalations.
• Experience creating and implementing policies from first principles within large-scale organisations.
• Strong understanding of employment law and regulatory compliance; legal qualifications are advantageous.
• Experience operating within complex, matrixed or multi-entity environments.
• Demonstrated ability to work with senior executives and provide credible challenge where required.
• Highly structured, detail-oriented and methodical approach.
• Resilient and comfortable managing difficult conversations and high-pressure situations.
• Agile mindset with the ability to adapt to changing priorities.
• Exposure to transformation, automation or digital HR initiatives is highly desirable.
• UAE or GCC experience preferred.
• Professional HR qualifications such as CIPD, SHRM or equivalent are advantageous.