Emiratisation Manager

Buro Happold; Dubai; On-site; AED 260,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Buro Happold in Dubai seeks an Emiratisation Manager to lead the strategy, ensure UAE compliance and strengthen Emirati talent pipelines. You will collaborate with HR, Talent Acquisition and business leaders to shape workforce plans and engagement.

The role emphasizes governance, reporting, external stakeholder relations and employer branding to position Buro Happold as an employer of choice for Emiratis.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field.
• Experience leading Emiratisation or nationalisation strategy.
• Knowledge of UAE Emiratisation requirements and government programmes.
• Experience engaging with MOHRE, Nafis, Tasheel or related government stakeholders.
• Strong analytical capability and ability to produce workforce insights.

Responsibilities

• Own Emiratisation strategy development and regulatory compliance.
• Define workforce plans with leadership ownership and clear milestones.
• Monitor targets, risks and compliance; provide governance and reporting.
• Build Emirati talent pipelines with universities and external networks.
• Represent the organisation at government meetings, forums and Emiratisation initiatives.
• Promote Buro Happold as an employer of choice for Emiratis and share success stories.

Skills

Emiratisation knowledge

Stakeholder management

HR analytics

Regulatory compliance

Talent acquisition coordination

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Dubai

Want to work with the most sought-after minds and help shape meaningful career opportunities for Emirati talent? Your expertise in Emiratisation might just make you our new Emiratisation Manager based in Dubai.

Here at Buro Happold, expect the exceptional.

From the projects you will work on to the clients we work with. From career-defining opportunities to an inclusive and diverse practice where we all contribute to a more equitable world. From our reputation to our relationships. Wherever your Buro Happold career takes you, it’ll be anything but ordinary.

Your next role

Buro Happold has a clear strategic plan, strong learning culture and entrepreneurial mindset that will allow you to thrive. You’ll be part of something bigger than us all, where sustainability, equity, social and performance outcomes matter. This is a genuine opportunity to make an impact and leave a real legacy.

Buro Happold is seeking an Emiratisation Manager to join our Dubai office. Reporting to the Associate HR Consultant, UAE & Kuwait, you will develop and drive the organisation’s Emiratisation strategy, monitor regulatory compliance and workforce targets, and coordinate initiatives that strengthen Emirati attraction, development and retention outcomes.

You will act as the primary subject matter expert on Emiratisation, partnering with Human Resources, Talent Acquisition, hiring managers and business leaders. You will provide workforce insight, support sustainable Emirati talent pipelines, represent the organisation with relevant external stakeholders, and help position Buro Happold as an employer of choice for Emiratis.

Responsibilities

Emiratisation Strategy and Compliance

• Own the development, implementation and continuous review of the organisation’s Emiratisation strategy, translating regulatory requirements and business priorities into clear annual and multi-year workforce plans, milestones and accountabilities.
• Establish hiring, development, retention and progression objectives by business area and discipline.
• Monitor Emiratisation targets, risks and compliance requirements against applicable UAE regulations.
• Identify risks to target achievement, recommend mitigating actions and elevate material concerns appropriately.
• Maintain awareness of regulatory changes, government initiatives and relevant labour market developments.
• Translate organisational targets into clear business-unit and discipline-level plans, securing leadership ownership for delivery.
• Provide strategic advice to senior leadership on Emiratisation risks, opportunities, investment requirements and workforce implications.
• Establish and facilitate an Emiratisation governance forum involving HR, Talent Acquisition, Finance and business leadership.

Workforce Planning and Reporting

• Support workforce planning by analysing current and future workforce requirements and identifying opportunities to improve Emirati representation.
• Produce regular dashboards, scorecards and reports for leadership covering Emiratisation targets, hiring, retention, progression and compliance.
• Use workforce data to identify trends, risks and opportunities and support evidence-based decision-making.

Talent Pipelines and Hiring Outcomes

• Build stronger Emirati talent pipelines across graduate, early career and experienced‑hire routes in partnership with Talent Acquisition.
• Develop relationships with universities, colleges, government programmes and relevant external networks.
• Represent Buro Happold at career fairs, university events, networking forums and other Emirati talent initiatives.
• Work with hiring managers and Talent Acquisition to improve Emirati hiring outcomes while respecting established recruitment accountabilities.
• Provide market insight to support attraction planning and candidate engagement.

Talent Development and Retention

• Develop programmes that improve the onboarding, development, succession, retention and long-term career success of Emirati employees.
• Support learning, mentoring, coaching and career progression initiatives.
• Monitor engagement, retention and progression trends and recommend improvement actions.
• Work with HR, Learning and Development and business stakeholders to coordinate relevant development activity.

Government and External Stakeholder Relations

• Act as the main point of contact with MOHRE, Nafis, Tasheel and related government stakeholders.
• Coordinate required submissions, reporting, communications and follow‑up actions.
• Represent the organisation at relevant government meetings, forums, audits and Emiratisation initiatives.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure stakeholder commitments are followed through.

Employer Brand and Communications

• Promote Buro Happold as an employer of choice for Emiratis in partnership with Talent Acquisition and relevant communications teams.
• Develop Emirati success stories, employee testimonials and case studies that highlight career opportunities and professional growth.
• Support engagement activities that strengthen awareness of Emiratisation initiatives and outcomes.

Your skills and experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or a related discipline.
• Relevant experience in Emiratisation, Human Resources, Talent Acquisition, workforce planning or a related field.
• Demonstrable experience leading Emiratisation or nationalisation strategy within an international organisation.
• Strong working knowledge of UAE Emiratisation requirements, employment legislation and government programmes.
• Experience engaging with MOHRE, Nafis, Tasheel or related government stakeholders.
• Experience contributing to talent attraction, workforce planning, employee development or retention initiatives.
• Strong analytical capability, including producing reports, dashboards and workforce insights.
• Strong stakeholder management, communication and relationship-building skills.
• A professional HR qualification or experience in a large or complex organisation would be advantageous.

Style & behaviours

• Collaborative and able to work effectively across Human Resources, Talent Acquisition and the wider business.
• Credible and professional when representing Buro Happold with government, academic and community stakeholders.
• Proactive, organised and able to manage multiple priorities with attention to detail.
• Commercially aware and able to balance regulatory obligations with business requirements.
• Inclusive and committed to meaningful career opportunities and positive employee experiences.
• Discreet and trusted when handling confidential employee, workforce and compliance information.

At Buro Happold, everyone else’s extraordinary is just our everyday.

A place for everyone

Buro Happold values individuals’ flexible approaches to working patterns as an important part of the way you work and achieve balance. We welcome applications from those seeking flexibility in their careers.

Our exceptional portfolio of projects is the result of the diversity of thought, identities, backgrounds and experiences that shape us. Appreciating each other’s differences is key: we want employees to feel they do not have to mask elements of their identity to thrive.

We are working to change the lack of representation of marginalised groups in the built environment and are particularly keen to hear from anyone who feels underrepresented in the industry. Embracing difference allows us to develop the most innovative and elegant solutions