HR Director

Mal.AI; Abu Dhabi; Hybrid; AED 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

Mal.AI seeks a strategic HR leader to shape and drive a comprehensive People function in a fast-paced fintech environment. You will steer talent acquisition onboarding, performance, compensation, and engagement, while advising leadership on organizational design and culture.

This role emphasizes UAE labour law compliance and Sharia-aligned HR practices. You will champion diversity, drive analytics-enabled HR performance, and guide cross-functional teams in a hybrid remote setting, ensuring

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading HR or People functions in a fast-paced startup or fintech.
• Deep understanding of HR best practices, organisational development, and employment laws (UAE and international).
• Track record of designing and implementing scalable HR systems, processes, and policies.
• Familiarity with HR data analytics, AI-driven talent tools, or HRIS implementation.
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, and strategic advisory skills.
• Commitment to ethical, inclusive, and values-driven HR practices.
• Ability to operate effectively in a hybrid/remote, multicultural setting.
• Excellent communication, conflict resolution, and change management abilities.
• Experience with Sharia-compliant or values-based organizations.
• Background in financial services, digital banking, or technology sectors.
• Professional HR certification (CIPD, SHRM, etc.).
• Proficiency in Arabic and/or other languages relevant to Mal s markets.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a holistic HR strategy aligned with Mal s mission values and growth objectives.
• Lead all People operations including talent acquisition onboarding performance management compensation and employee engagement.
• Advise Mal s leadership on organisational design workforce planning and culture-building initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with UAE labor laws and Sharia-compliant HR practices.
• Champion diversity inclusion and employee wellness across a hybrid remote environment.
• Implement and optimise HR systems policies and analytics for operational excellence.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and coach to managers and team members at all levels.
• Conduct a comprehensive review and gap analysis of current HR policies processes and team structures.
• Develop and begin executing an HR strategy and roadmap aligned with Mal s mission and scale-up needs.
• Establish transparent communication channels and feedback mechanisms for employees.
• Launch initiatives to enhance talent acquisition onboarding and employee engagement.
• Ensure HR operations are fully compliant with UAE labor law and Sharia guidelines.

Skills

HR leadership

People operations

Stakeholder advisory

Interpersonal skills

Change management

Communication

Hybrid/remote teamwork

Education

HR certification (CIPD/SHRM)

Tools

HRIS

HR analytics tools

AI-driven talent tools

Job description

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a holistic HR strategy aligned with Mal s mission values and growth objectives
• Lead all People operations including talent acquisition onboarding performance management compensation and employee engagement
• Advise Mal s leadership on organisational design workforce planning and culture-building initiatives
• Ensure compliance with UAE labor laws and Sharia-compliant HR practices
• Champion diversity inclusion and employee wellness across a hybrid remote environment
• Implement and optimise HR systems policies and analytics for operational excellence
• Serve as a trusted advisor and coach to managers and team members at all levels
• Conduct a comprehensive review and gap analysis of current HR policies processes and team structures
• Develop and begin executing an HR strategy and roadmap aligned with Mal s mission and scale-up needs
• Establish transparent communication channels and feedback mechanisms for employees
• Launch initiatives to enhance talent acquisition onboarding and employee engagement
• Ensure HR operations are fully compliant with UAE labor law and Sharia guidelines

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading HR or People functions in a fast-paced startup or fintech environment.
• Deep understanding of HR best practices, organisational development, and relevant employment laws (UAE and international).
• Track record of designing and implementing scalable HR systems, processes, and policies.
• Familiarity with HR data analytics, AI-driven talent tools, or HRIS implementation.
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, and strategic advisory skills.
• Commitment to ethical, inclusive, and values-driven HR practices.
• Ability to operate effectively in a hybrid/remote, multicultural setting.
• Excellent communication, conflict resolution, and change management abilities.
• Experience with Sharia-compliant or values-based organizations.
• Background in financial services, digital banking, or technology sectors.
• Professional HR certification (CIPD, SHRM, etc.).
• Proficiency in Arabic and/or other languages relevant to Mal s markets.