Head of Emiratisation

Huxley Associates; Dubai; On-site; AED 167,400 - 279,000; Full time

Job summary

Huxley Associates is looking for a professional to lead localisation programs in Dubai, UAE. The role focuses on managing Emiratisation efforts and building the employer brand to attract local talent. Strong communication in Arabic and English, strategic thinking, and previous project management experience are essential.

The successful candidate will work closely with HR and business leaders to influence policies and engage local talent effectively.

Qualifications

• Strong influencing skills to position the strategy as a priority.
• Exceptional written and oral communication in Arabic and English.
• Ability to think strategically and show initiative.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on localisation programs including strengths and weaknesses.
• Embed the EVP offering targeted towards local talent.
• Design community outreach programs to attract local talent.
• Establish policies that hold managers accountable for local talent productivity.

Skills

Influencing skills

Exceptional communication in Arabic and English

Strategic thinking

Initiative and commitment

Project management

Experience in retention and engagement

Post-graduate qualification

Experience in Middle Eastern markets

Education

Post-graduate qualification

Job description

Responsibilities

• To undertake research, business planning and coordination to deliver best in class localisation programs.
• Build external relationships with key governing bodies and other organisations to influence policy and decision‐making as well as benchmark our internal efforts.
• Develop and implement a proactive, strategic and forward‑looking plan for the ongoing management of Emiratisation.
• Deliver value by acting as a change agent in driving effective behaviours.
• Build the Bank's brand as an employer of choice for local talent through building strong and proactive relationships with relevant governing bodies across the ME.
• Develop an external marketing strategy with corporate affairs and Talent Acquisition to market the opportunities for local talent and manage the HR elements of execution of that plan.
• Work closely with country HR to ensure the manpower planning is tuned towards ensuring placement of local talent in key roles in the organisation, specifically focusing on increasing representation at more senior levels.
• Influence the talent acquisition process and strategies in order to attract high calibre local talent.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

• Conduct appropriate research and consolidate existing data to present current situation regarding localisation programs including strengths, weaknesses and opportunities.
• Work with business leadership and Corporate Affairs to embed the EVP offering targeted specifically towards local talent.
• Design community outreach programs to proactively market us as a destination employer for local talent.
• Work closely with the business functions to establish measures and policies that hold line managers accountable for the local talent productivity, development, progression and success.
• Work with the Learning team to develop specific learning and development programmes to maximise retention.

Qualifications

• Strong influencing skills to position the strategy as a meaningful priority at all levels within the business.
• Exceptional communication skills (Arabic and English) – both written and oral.
• Ability to think strategically.
• Initiative and commitment to achieve.
• Previous experience of managing complex and multi‑faced cross‑functional projects.
• Previous experience of managing localisation project with demonstrated success in areas of retention, development and engagement.
• Professionally qualified (preferably with a post‑graduate qualification).
• Significant experience working in Middle Eastern markets.
• Business line experience an advantage, but not a prerequisite.

If you meet the above criteria, then please feel free to reply with your latest CV.

About The Company

Huxley Associates is an international recruitment consultancy that provides specialised contingency and retained recruitment solutions in the following sectors across the region.

• Accountancy and Finance
• Banking Technology
• Energy
• Engineering
• Global Markets
• Human Resources
• IT
• Legal
• Oil and Gas
• Sales and Marketing
• Supply Chain
• Telecommunications

Huxley Associates have enjoyed continuous growth over the past 16 years and have established a network of 16 offices around the world including Dubai, New York, London, Sydney, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Paris and Singapore. We are widely regarded as one the worlds leading executive recruitment consultancies offering unparalleled training, career progression and support to our consultants. This enables best in class service delivery across the marketplaces we focus upon.

Huxley is committed to developing long‑term business relationships in the MENA region and take pride in the provision of quality recruitment support to our clients. Firms driven by a need to attract the best candidates from the local and international community use us repeatedly to gain competitive advantage in the acquisition of hard to find skillsets across the MENA region.