Head of HR, ZILL Middle East

Zurich 56 Company Ltd; Dubai; On-site; AED 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Zurich Middle East is seeking a Head of HR to lead strategic HR initiatives, manage a skilled HR team, and align HR strategies with business goals. The role involves advising leadership, overseeing HR processes, and ensuring operational excellence in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• At least 6 years of relevant HR experience.
• Expertise in UAE Federal and DIFC laws.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted HR partner and advisor to the business.
• Manage local HR team and ensure effective service delivery.
• Oversee recruitment activities to attract and retain top talent.

Skills

Communication

Relationship Management

Attention to Detail

Problem Solving

Stakeholder Management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources

Professional HR certification

Job description

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Head of HR, ZILL Middle East

123780

Job Summary

Zurich Middle East is part of Zurich Insurance Group, one of the world’s largest and most experienced insurers. Our mission is to help our local community understand and protect themselves from risk both locally and globally.

Reporting to the CEO, Middle East, as the Head of HR, you will be responsible for delivering the business’s strategic priorities and supporting change initiatives. This includes partnering with members of the Middle East business, providing expert advice on HR and people strategy issues, and determining human capital requirements to achieve organizational objectives.

Job Accountabilities

As Head of HR, you will demonstrate seniority, independence, and analytical skills, challenging and influencing business leaders in areas such as organizational development, leadership development, talent management, retention, performance management, employee relations, compensation, and engagement. You will lead a skilled HR team, ensuring operational excellence, process improvements, and a positive employee experience, supporting growth and development. Your responsibilities will include :

• Serving as a trusted HR partner and advisor to the business and leadership team, guiding local HR strategy.
• Building strong partnerships with business leaders and contributing to the ME leadership team.
• Aligning HR strategy with ZIBIL / functional HR directions, setting vision, and leading execution to meet business goals.
• Leading talent and HR initiatives such as performance management, workforce planning, succession planning, and organizational design.
• Advising leadership on employee relations, talent development, retention, compensation, restructuring, and organizational development.
• Assessing emerging leaders and evaluating training and development plans.
• Overseeing HR processes and supporting line management for consistency and alignment.
• Managing the local HR team and Centers of Excellence to ensure effective service delivery.
• Applying HR strategy uniformly across the team to prevent siloed approaches.
• Managing local benefits and renewal processes to maintain a competitive Employee Value Proposition.
• Embedding CARE cultural values and overseeing the ACE recognition platform.
• Analyzing business and people data to identify improvements and drive actions.
• Overseeing recruitment activities to attract and retain top talent, including Emiratization targets.
• Providing strategic HR advice to senior leaders to ensure effective program implementation.
• Developing governance and policies for compliance with regulations and standards.
• Supervising HR policy drafting and onboarding new HR suppliers in line with governance frameworks.
• Representing HR on the local ME Triage committee, collaborating with Compliance and Legal.
• Managing the ME HR budget.
• Aligning HR activities with local managers and regional strategies.
• Mentoring and supporting HR team members' growth.
• Responding to business requests and managing ad hoc HR tasks.

Job Qualifications

To succeed in this role, you will need :

• Effective communication skills with impact at all levels, understanding diverse cultures, styles, and time zones.
• Strong relationship management skills internally and externally.
• Attention to detail and proven ability to prioritize with commercial awareness.
• Deep knowledge of HR policies and processes.
• Expertise in Middle East legislation, market trends, and employment relations, especially UAE Federal and DIFC laws.
• Experience managing a diverse HR team and influencing at all levels in a dynamic environment.
• Proven project and change management experience.
• Ability to quickly understand business needs for strategic planning.
• Confidentiality and discretion.
• Experience in international and matrix organizations.
• Arabic language skills are advantageous.
• Strong stakeholder management and credibility-building skills.
• Effective problem-solving, communication, and presentation skills.

Qualifications :

• Professional HR certification (e.g., PHR, GPHR, SPHR, CIPD) or equivalent.
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Human Resources and at least 6 years of relevant experience.

You are the heart & soul of Zurich!

At Zurich, we encourage innovative thinking and a positive outlook, focusing on what can go right. We value our employees’ experience and expertise, offering diverse opportunities for growth within the company.

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