Director - People, Group Services

Dubai Holding; Dubai; On-site; AED 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation package

Career development opportunities

Collaborative, diverse work culture

Job summary

Dubai Holding Group Services seeks a Director - People to lead HR services across the group, focusing on employee relations, policy governance, and HRBP support. You will drive engagement, talent management, and governance while ensuring compliant, high-performing workplace practices aligned with Dubai Holding values.

You will partner with senior leadership to design organisational design, workforce effectiveness, and lifecycle HR activities across shared services and portfolio companies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Admin, or related field
• Experience in HR leadership, HRBP, or people management roles
• Postgraduate qualification or professional HR certification (e.g. CIPD) is an advantage
• Experience managing HR operations within a complex organisational environment
• 12-18+ years of progressive HR experience, including HRBP or ER-focused generalist roles
• Experience working within shared services, corporate, or large matrix organisations is preferred
• Strong working knowledge of HR policies, employee relations practices, and UAE labour law
• Ability to assess risk and apply sound judgement in sensitive people matters
• Strong documentation, reporting, and communication skills
• Proficient in MS Office; experience with HR systems is an advantage
• Integrity & Confidentiality
• Sound Judgement & Problem Solving
• Business Awareness
• Clear Communication
• Planning & Organisation

Responsibilities

• Oversee HR policies and SOPs within Group Services
• Advise managers and employees on policy matters and queries
• Identify policy gaps and drive continuous improvement
• Lead colleague engagement surveys and action plans with leadership
• Manage performance management processes and IDPs/PIP
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, promotions, transfers and resignations
• Coordinate payroll processes and payroll cost reporting
• Maintain organisational charts and reporting structures
• Manage HR operations within a large, matrix organisation
• Provide coaching to managers on feedback and development planning
• Ensure UAE labour law compliance and governance frameworks
• Support talent review, succession planning, and leadership pipeline

Skills

HR leadership

Employee relations

Policy interpretation

Documentation & reporting

MS Office

HR systems

Communication skills

Planning & organisation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field

Postgraduate qualification or CIPD

Tools

MS Office

HR systems

Job description

Group Services is Dubai Holding’s shared business services arm that provides consolidated business solutions in procurement, finance and human capital across the Group. With a commitment to talent, digital innovation and continuous improvement, it delivers best-in-class service, enhancing the Group's overall performance. Group Services is dedicated to transforming operations, elevating service quality and cultivating specialized teams focused on excellence and innovation

Group Services comprises of:

Group Services Procurement delivers end-to-end value through strategic sourcing, supplier management, and contracting. Enabled by advanced technology, streamlined processes, strong governance, and data-driven insights, it ensures responsible sourcing, cost efficiency, and operational excellence.

Group Services Finance manages financial transactions, budgeting, and reporting to ensure strong fiscal health and cash flow. It empowers informed decision-making through insights that drive sustainable growth and profitability.

Group Services Human Capital manages the full employee lifecycle, ensuring a smooth journey from recruitment to offboarding while fostering a culture that values and supports people—the Group’s greatest asset.

Empowering talent for the future:

Group Services’ greatest strength lies in its people; their collective capabilities serve as the driving force of the company. Dedicated to creating a vibrant talent hub where challenging the norm leads to innovation, collaboration fuels creativity and caring for people and partners cultivates strong relationships, Group Services aims to build a foundation for sustained success. As a business that views success as a shared journey and celebrates every achievement along the way, Group Services offers the opportunity to grow, develop skills and make a meaningful impact.

Dubai Holding Group Services (DHGS) proudly supports a diverse portfolio of companies:

Dubai Holding Community Management

Dubai Holding Land Estates

About the role:

The Director - People, Group Services is responsible for overseeing the delivery of strategic and operational HR services across Group Services, working in close partnership with the Executive Director, People. The role has a strong emphasis on employee relations and case management, while also delivering high quality HRBP support across the employee lifecycle. The role holder ensures consistent application of HR policies, supports employee engagement initiatives, talent management, and contributes to a positive, compliant, and high performing workplace aligned with Dubai Holding values and standards.

Key Accountabilities:

HR Business Partnering & Advisory:

• Support the implementation of corporate People strategies within Group Services.
• Partner with Senior leadership to align People initiatives with business objectives and organisational priorities.
• Provide guidance on organisational design, role clarity, workforce issues, and team effectiveness within Group Services.
• Support Corporate initiatives and ad-hoc HR projects as required.

Employee Relations & Case Management:

• Provide guidance and oversight on employee relations matters (end-to-end), including grievances and disciplinary cases, workplace concerns, and investigations.
• Promote a positive and respectful workplace environment while ensuring compliance with company policy and UAE labour law.

Policy Interpretation & Governance:

• Review and maintain HR policies and SOPs
• Advise managers and employees on policy matters, resolving queries and clarifying intent where required.
• Identify recurring policy issues or gaps and provide feedback to the Corporate People team to support continuous improvement.
• Support Internal Audit and ensure adherence to HR governance frameworks.

Employee Engagement & Culture:

• Actively promote positive employee experience, inclusion, and alignment with Dubai Holding values.
• Lead the colleague engagement surveys, analyse feedback, and coordinate action plans with leadership team.
• Manage internal communication relating to People initiatives, updates, and policies.

Performance & Talent Support:

• Oversee performance management processes including goal setting, mid-year and year-end reviews.
• Support Talent Review calibration, succession planning, and leadership pipeline development including the 9 grid box matrix.
• Ensure the implementation and monitoring of the Individual Development Plan (IDPs)
• Manage and monitor Performance Improvement Plan (PIP)
• Provide coaching to managers on feedback, performance conversations, and development planning.

Employee Lifecycle Management:

• Oversee employee lifecycle activities including recruitment, onboarding, promotions, transfers, probation confirmation, and resignations.
• Review internal promotions and resignation requests in accordance with policies.
• Ensure employee movements align with the workforce planning.

Payroll & Rewards:

• Oversee payroll processes and conduct payroll reviews to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Support the implementation and oversight of incentives and promotions.

HR Operations & Reporting:

• Ensure effective management of HR operational processes including leave management, payroll coordination, and employee data management.
• Prepare and maintain monthly HR/Payroll cost report.
• Maintain accurate organisational charts and reporting structures.

Recruitment & Emiratisation:

• Ensure effective management of HR operational processes including leave management, payroll coordination, and employee data management.
• Prepare and maintain monthly HR/Payroll cost report.
• Maintain accurate organisational charts and reporting structures.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Admin, or related field
• Experience in HR leadership, HRBP, or people management roles
• Postgraduate qualification or professional HR certification (e.g. CIPD) is an advantage
• Experience managing HR operations within a complex organisational environment
• 12-18+ years of progressive HR experience, including a strong background in HR Business Partnering or ER focused generalist roles
• Demonstrated hands on experience managing employee relations cases in a complex, multi stakeholder environment
• Experience working within shared services, corporate, or large matrix organisations is preferred
• Strong working knowledge of HR policies, employee relations practices, and UAE labour law
• Ability to assess risk and apply sound judgement in sensitive people matters
• Strong documentation, reporting, and communication skills
• Proficient in MS Office; experience with HR systems is an advantage
• Integrity & Confidentiality
• Sound Judgement & Problem Solving
• Business Awareness
• Clear Communication
• Planning & Organisation

About the Benefits:

At Dubai Holding, we're committed to nurturing the success and well-being of our colleagues. Join our dynamic and diverse team, and enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes competitive compensation, career development opportunities, and a collaborative work environment. We strongly believe in creating an empowered Classification: Internal workforce that will help us build a connected city for tomorrow. We are committed to attracting the brightest minds and nurturing the most pioneering candidates who desire to make a great impact on the future of Dubai.

As much as we would be delighted to entertain all applicants, due to the high volumes of applications, only successful applicants will be contacted within 14 business days.

This job description is not all inclusive. Dubai Holding reserves the right to amend this job description at any time. Dubai Holding is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment.