Head of HR - Automotive

AlFuttaim; Dubai; On-site; AED 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

AlFuttaim is seeking a seasoned Head of HR - Automotive in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. You will lead people strategy across a large automotive business, focusing on organisational development, workforce optimisation, change management, leadership development, and HR compliance.

You will drive Emiratization efforts, manpower budgeting, succession planning, and strong employee relations while partnering with senior leaders to align HR with business performance.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of HR leadership experience
• Experience supporting large multinational organizations or regional structures
• Strong knowledge of HR policy, labour law, Emiratization and localization requirements
• Proven capability in organisational development, change management, and leadership development

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the annual HR strategy and plan with senior management.
• Align HR priorities with the automotive division's operating model and growth plans.
• Lead onboarding, retention, succession, and leadership development initiatives.
• Manage employee relations, governance, and policy compliance.
• Monitor performance management processes and ensure fair assessments.
• Coordinate with Training to deliver development programs and learning initiatives.
• Prepare manpower budgeting, HR cost reporting, and monthly metrics.
• Act as HR business partner to senior leaders on workforce effectiveness.

Skills

HR leadership

HR business partnering

Organisational development

Change management

Workforce planning

Talent management

Succession planning

Leadership development

Employee relations

Performance management

Compensation management

Recruitment and selection

Learning and development

Emiratization

Localization policy

Manpower budgeting

Employee cost reporting

Human capital metrics

Financial modelling

Organisational restructuring

HR governance

Internal controls

Coaching and mentoring

Stakeholder management

Senior management advisory

Diversity and inclusion

Strategic HR planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR, Business Administration or related field

Master's degree or professional HR qualification (SHRM/CIPD)

Tools

HRIS systems

Excel

Job description

Position: Head of HR - Automotive

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Industry: Automotive

Function: Human Resources

Job Type: Full-time

Salary Range: 45,000-65,000

Gender: Any

Nationality: Any

Role Summary

Head of HR - Automotive in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is an automotive hiring opportunity for a senior human resources leader who can align people strategy with business performance across a large automotive business unit. The role focuses on organisational development, workforce optimisation, change management, leadership development, employee relations, succession planning, HR compliance, Emiratization, manpower budgeting, and human capital metrics.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the annual HR strategy and HR plan in partnership with senior management and business unit leadership.
• Align HR priorities with the automotive division's operating model, growth plans, workforce requirements, and performance goals.
• Support continuous improvement across HR activities, employee lifecycle processes, workforce planning, and people-related governance.
• Ensure new employees are effectively inducted and integrated into the business through structured onboarding and clear role expectations.
• Build succession plans and retention strategies for key talent, high-potential employees, and critical business roles.
• Work with line managers to develop learning and development plans that strengthen technical, leadership, and commercial capability.
• Implement performance management plans that improve employee contribution, address underperformance, and support fair decision-making.
• Monitor the performance management process to ensure SMART objectives, transparent assessments, promotion discipline, and consistent follow-through.
• Identify training needs for key employees and coordinate with the Group Training Department to deliver relevant learning initiatives.
• Maintain updated organisation charts, annual people review inputs, talent development plans, and successor mapping for key positions.
• Lead regular talent development committee meetings and support structured reviews of leadership pipeline and workforce capability.
• Manage employee relations matters across business units while coaching line managers on fair, compliant, and practical issue resolution.
• Promote a culture of employee engagement, meritocracy, performance focus, diversity, respect, collaboration, integrity, and excellence.
• Advise management on local labour law, company policy, disciplinary procedures, employee exits, and risk reduction.
• Communicate HR policy updates clearly and ensure procedures are applied correctly across the automotive business.
• Act as a trusted HR business partner, coach, and advisor to senior leaders and management teams.
• Support organisational change, business restructuring, consolidation, and workforce optimisation initiatives.
• Advise on lean workforce planning, multi-skilled team structures, productivity improvement, and manpower efficiency.
• Monitor employee feedback, internal communication effectiveness, and engagement outcomes within assigned business units.
• Ensure compliance with localization policy, Emiratization targets, diversity commitments, and Emirati-only position safeguards.
• Prepare employee cost reporting, manpower budget inputs, HR budget tracking, incentive payout monitoring, and monthly HR metrics.
• Attend board, financial, and management meetings where workforce cost, structure, productivity, and HR performance updates are required.
• Strengthen internal controls by reviewing HR policy compliance, resolving policy breaches, and ensuring adherence to laws and regulations.

Ideal Profile

• Professional qualification in Human Resources, Business Management, or a related field.
• First degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Management, or a relevant discipline is preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of HR experience, ideally in a senior HR leadership, Head of HR, or HR Business Partner role.
• Experience supporting large multinational organizations, complex business units, or regional operating structures.
• Strong exposure to the Middle East market and modern HR operating models.
• Proven capability in organisational development, change management, leadership development, employee relations, workforce planning, and performance management.
• Good understanding of compensation management, recruitment and selection, talent development, succession planning, and employee engagement.
• Strong knowledge of HR policy, labour law compliance, internal controls, Emiratization, and localization requirements.
• Experience working with senior management as a trusted advisor on people strategy, structure, productivity, and organisational effectiveness.
• Strong analytical ability with experience in human capital metrics, employee cost reporting, manpower budgeting, and financial modelling.
• Confident communication, coaching, influencing, and problem‑solving skills.
• Strategic thinker with achievement orientation, solution focus, business partnership mindset, and strong teamwork.
• Able to manage sensitive employee matters with discretion, fairness, compliance, and sound judgment.
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced automotive environment with multiple stakeholders, performance pressures, and transformation priorities.

Skills Set

• Human resources leadership
• HR business partnering
• Organisational development
• Change management
• Workforce optimisation
• Talent management
• Succession planning
• Leadership development
• Employee relations
• Performance management
• Compensation management
• Recruitment and selection
• Learning and development
• Employee engagement
• HR policy compliance
• Labour law compliance
• Emiratization
• Localization policy
• Manpower budgeting
• Employee cost reporting
• Human capital metrics
• Financial modelling
• Organisational restructuring
• HR governance
• Internal controls
• Coaching and mentoring
• Stakeholder management
• Senior management advisory
• Diversity and inclusion
• Strategic HR planning