Head of People & Strategy

Confidential; Abu Dhabi; Presencial; AED 600 000 - 1 200 000; Tempo integral

Vantagens oferecidas por esta oferta de emprego

Housing stipend

Paid time off

Health insurance

Resumo da oferta

Confidential, a global leader in specialized animal facilities, seeks Head of People and Strategy to steer HR strategy, governance, and people operations from Abu Dhabi. You will partner with the CEO to align talent, policy, and performance with long-term vision.

You’ll own talent acquisition, learning and development, compensation, compliance and systems administration (Bayzat, Asana, MS 365). International mobility and multi-site governance are core, with a focus on cost efficiency and culture.

Qualificações

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Admin, or related field is required.
• Master’s degree is an advantage but not mandatory.
• Professional certifications (CHRP/CHRM/CIPD) preferred but not mandatory.

Responsabilidades

• Lead and direct the People & Strategy function in alignment with the CEO’s vision.
• Oversee talent acquisition, onboarding, payroll, benefits, and leave administration.
• Develop and monitor strategic KPIs, ROI on human capital investments, and workforce planning.

Conhecimentos

Communication

Leadership

Analytical

Organization

Confidentiality

Formação académica

Bachelor’s degree in HR/Business

Master’s degree (advantage)

Ferramentas

Bayzat

Asana

MS O365

SharePoint

Descrição da oferta de emprego

A global leader in the creation, development and management of a wide variety of specialized animal facilities and projects is seeking a Head of People and Strategy who brings strategic leadership, operational excellence, and a proactive approach to people management. He/She will lead and direct the overall functions of the People and Strategy department, including hiring staff, administering pay, benefits, and leave, and enforcing company policies and practices.

The Head of People and Strategy will also work in close partnership with the CEO to collaborate on strategic objectives, ensuring the People and Strategy function is fully aligned with the organization's long-term vision and operational goals.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Alignment

• Partners with the leadership team to understand and execute the organization's human resource and talent strategy, particularly as it relates to current and future talent needs, recruiting, retention, and succession planning.
• Establishes strategic People KPIs, productivity metrics, and ROI frameworks for human capital investments.
• Works closely with the CEO and executive leadership to ensure consistent execution of organizational strategy, operational standards, and performance expectations across departments.
• Supports departmental leadership in executing responsibilities effectively, ensuring all teams operate in alignment with company policies, strategic goals, and executive directives.

Talent Acquisition & Global Mobility

• Manages the talent acquisition process, including recruitment, interviewing, and hiring of qualified job applicants; collaborates with departmental managers to understand skills and competencies required.
• Collaborates with departmental managers to develop and implement standardized SOPs and recruitment frameworks to ensure consistency across global projects.
• Collaborates with departmental managers to oversee people management and best practices of international teams and projects, including understanding local permit and visa requirements and forecasting human capital requirements for new market entries.

Performance Management & Staff Development

• Leads and manages the staff appraisal, performance assessment, and evaluation process across all departments, ensuring departmental managers maintain regular, structured performance reviews aligned with company objectives and values.
• Collaborates with Head of Learning and Development to design, implement, and oversee a comprehensive staff development program, focusing on continuous improvement, skills upliftment, and succession planning across operational and leadership levels.
• Collaborates with the Head of Learning and Development to establish hands-on training sessions for staff, covering subject‑matter areas directly related to the core business, operational excellence, animal care standards, compliance, safety, and professional conduct.

Culture & Employee Relations

• Actively contributes to culture building, fostering a sense of ownership, accountability, teamwork, and pride within the organization, while promoting leadership development at all levels.
• Monitors and enhances organizational culture and brand reputation through structured engagement initiatives and feedback loops.
• Provides specialist support and guidance to management when complex, specialized, and sensitive questions and issues arise.
• In collaboration with management, oversees employee disciplinary meetings, terminations, and investigations.

Compensation, Finance & Administration

• Analyzes trends in compensation and benefits; researches and proposes competitive base and incentive pay programs.
• Oversees and supports the payroll function, in coordination with the administration & finance functions.
• Manages the People department budget, providing detailed financial projections for employee‑related expenses to ensure alignment with company‑wide financial goals.
• Maintains a strong focus on cost‑conscious decision‑making, actively reviewing people‑related and staff‑related expenditures and identifying efficiencies.

Compliance & Systems

• Maintains compliance with MOHRE, independent Emirates authorities, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Oversees the administration of Bayzat (HRM), Asana (Project Management), and MS O365 (including SharePoint) to drive digital efficiency and data integrity within the HR Department.

SKILLS

• Strong verbal and written communication skills. Fluent and high proficiency level in the English language is required.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them with appropriate authority.
• Demonstrated integrity, professionalism, and ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Thorough knowledge of MOHRE employment‑related laws and regulations of the UAE.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, Asana, and SharePoint.
• Working experience with Cloud‑Based HR/People management solutions (Bayzat experience is an advantage).

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This is an Abu Dhabi‑based role.
• International travel outside the UAE is required to support global projects and market expansion.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in the UAE, with solid exposure to people operations, strategy, and compliance.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field is required; a Master’s degree is an advantage.
• Professional certifications such as CHRP, CHRM, or CIPD are preferred but not mandatory.
• Experience working across multi‑site or international operations is essential.
• Proven ability to work with and support multi‑cultural teams; training and development experience is an advantage.
• Administration of International Onboarding / Off‑boarding and work permits beneficial.

BENEFITS

• Competitive salary
• Housing stipend
• Paid time off
• Health insurance