Director of Human Resources Department

جامعة الشارقة; Sharjah; On-site; AED 480,000 - 750,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Sharjah is seeking a senior HR leader to drive institutional effectiveness through strategic HR management. You will lead policy development, workforce planning, and Emiratisation efforts while guiding organisational design, total rewards, and budget oversight.

Strong experience in higher education HR, ERP systems, and stakeholder engagement is essential. A bachelor’s degree is required, with a master’s and professional HR certification preferred.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or a relevant discipline.
• Master’s degree and professional HR certification are highly preferred.
• At least 15 years of progressive HR experience with 7–10 years in senior leadership in higher education is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Strategic leadership to drive institutional effectiveness through human capital management.
• Develop and refine HR policies in line with bylaws and UAE regulations.
• Lead enterprise-wide change management during restructurings.
• Act as primary consultant on staffing, rewards, org design, and complex employee relations.
• Drive adoption of international best practices to improve productivity.
• Oversee manpower planning and Emiratisation initiatives.
• Manage end-to-end hiring processes with merit-based recruitment.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Policy development

Change management

Employee relations

Data-driven decision making

Interpersonal communication

Cross-functional collaboration

People leadership

Emiratisation & UAE labour knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR / Business Admin

Master’s degree in HRM / MBA

Professional certification (CIPD/SHRM)

Tools

Oracle HCM

ERP systems

Excel / MS Office

Job description

About the University of Sharjah

The University of Sharjah is committed to providing a world‑class educational experience that prepares lifelong learners and leaders with integrated knowledge and skills. We are passionate about building a collaborative and sustainable environment that cultivates twenty‑first‑century skills and fosters pioneering research and scholarship. We seek to serve the current and future needs of our local community and beyond by offering innovative academic and professional programs.

Since its foundation in 1997, the University has successfully become one of the top Universities in the UAE and has managed to make its mark in the educational and research industry worldwide united by six core values: Integrity and Ethics, Dedication, Inclusiveness, Excellence with limitless Drive, Accountability and Transparency, and Innovation and Creativity.

The University of Sharjah believes in the crucial role of scientific research in the development of the modern United Arab Emirates. Since its establishment, the university has put research at the top of its list of priorities. Part of the university's strategy is to promote research among faculty members in all colleges, with the aim of attracting outstanding faculty with impressive research accomplishments.

The University of Sharjah’s Rankings:

251-300 in Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023

Among the top 200 universities globally (176-200) in The World University Rankings 2023 by Subjects

Among the best #121 universities in Asia In News Best Global Universities Rankings 2022/2023

=89th in The Young University Rankings in 2022

#61 The Emerging Economies University Rankings in 2022

Among the top 10 best Arab universities The Arab University Rankings 2022

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Institutional Governance

• Partner with senior leadership to drive institutional effectiveness through innovative human capital management, ensuring all HR strategies support the University’s long‑term vision.
• Lead the development and continuous refinement of HR policies and procedures to ensure full alignment with university bylaws and UAE government regulations.
• Lead and manage enterprise‑wide change management processes, applying structured methodologies to engage stakeholders effectively during organizational restructuring and transitions.
• Act as the primary consultant to top management on strategic staffing, total rewards, organizational design, and complex employee relations matters.
• Drive the adoption of international best practices in HR to enhance business processes, reduce operational friction, and improve overall institutional productivity.

Talent Management and Emiratization

• Oversee the annual manpower planning process, developing a strategic intake plan for both academic and administrative positions that aligns with departmental growth and budget parameters.
• Direct high‑impact Emiratization initiatives, including specialized career development tracks, mentorship programs, and succession planning to attract and retain top UAE National talent.
• Manage the end‑to‑end institutional hiring process, ensuring the selection of high‑caliber candidates through standardized, merit‑based recruitment and selection methodologies.
• Collaborate with global HR consultants and recruitment partners to maintain a competitive edge in attracting specialists and benchmarking institutional practices.

Total Rewards and Organizational Design

• Supervise the development and maintenance of the University’s organizational charts, ensuring clear functional mandates and optimized reporting lines.
• Analyze and benchmark compensation and benefits frameworks against local and international labor markets to ensure the University remains an employer of choice.
• Lead the definition and tracking of departmental KPIs in coordination with the Office of Strategic Planning, ensuring action plans are implemented to meet institutional targets.

Digital Transformation and Operations

• Recommend and oversee the implementation of ERP enhancements and digital systems to transition HR toward a paperless, ticket‑based service model that improves speed and accountability.
• Facilitate seamless communication between HR and other university functions (Finance, IT, Procurement) to streamline correlated tasks and reduce administrative duplication.
• Oversee the preparation of advanced workforce analytics, strategic reports, and institutional statistics to provide senior leadership with data‑driven insights.
• Manage the HR Department’s budget, ensuring all strategic initiatives are adequately provisioned, expenditures are tracked, and financial resources are optimized.

People Leadership and Departmental Management

• Develop and monitor the department’s operational plans to ensure they are synchronized with the Financial and Administrative Affairs function’s broader objectives.
• Provide visionary leadership to the HR team, fostering a culture of continuous learning through coaching, on‑the‑job training, and professional development opportunities.
• Set clear individual objectives for subordinates, providing constructive feedback and performance evaluations to build a high‑performing workforce.
• Organize and supervise the daily activities of the HR team to ensure all services are delivered in an efficient, timely manner consistent with standard operating procedures.
• Perform any other strategic or operational duties as assigned by the Line Manager, ensuring alignment with the department’s objectives and the University’s broader institutional priorities.

Required Skills:

Technical Skills

• Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to prepare professional documents, in both Arabic and English.
• Excellent working knowledge of personal computer applications with an emphasis on MS Office applications such as Excel, Word, and Teams.
• Knowledge of ERP Systems related to HR operations would be an advantage.
• Proficiency in using data‑driven models to predict future faculty and administrative needs, retirement trends, and talent gaps.
• Advanced understanding of ERP systems (e.g., Oracle HCM) and the ability to lead the transition to a ticket‑based, automated service model.
• Expertise in designing and benchmarking competitive salary scales, grading structures, and benefits packages tailored to the UAE higher education market.
• Deep knowledge of UAE federal labor regulations, visa processes, and the specific regulatory environment governing Sharjah’s academic sector.
• Skill in creating lean, functional organizational structures that reduce "administrative friction" and clear duplication of duties.

Leadership Skills

• A commitment to building the capabilities of the internal HR team, specifically focusing on coaching UAE National staff.
• The ability to work cross‑functionally with IT, Finance, and Procurement to ensure HR processes are integrated and seamless.
• High emotional intelligence to navigate a diverse, international academic environment while maintaining a strong focus on local priorities.

Analytical and Risk Management Skills

• Ability to interpret complex HR metrics (turnover rates, time‑to‑hire, salary competitiveness) and translate them into actionable insights for the VCFA and Chancellor.
• Skill in identifying potential legal, financial, or reputational risks within HR operations and developing proactive mitigation strategies.
• Ability to map existing HR workflows to identify "administrative friction" and redesign them for maximum efficiency and speed.
• Proficiency in managing large‑scale CAPEX/OPEX budgets and performing cost‑benefit analyses for new HR initiatives or technology investments.
• Using historical data and "Strategy 2030" growth targets to build multi‑year staff projections and retirement impact models.

Desirable Requirements:

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or a relevant discipline from an accredited institution.

• A master’s degree in human resources management, MBA, or a related advanced field would be an advantage.

• Active senior‑level professional certification (e.g., CIPD Level 5 or higher, SHRM) is highly preferred and considered a significant advantage.

• A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in Human Resources, with at least 7–10 years in a senior leadership role (Director or Head of Function) managing multi‑disciplinary HR teams, preferably in higher education institutions.

Closing Date: 16/11/2026