HR Director Construction Industry

The Greater Change; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A construction and engineering company in Abu Dhabi seeks an experienced HR Director. This strategic leadership role involves developing HR strategies that support business growth and compliance with UAE labor laws. The ideal candidate will have over 15 years of HR leadership experience in similar sectors, a strong understanding of GCC HR practices, and the ability to lead diverse teams. Key responsibilities include recruitment, performance management, and employee relations. Competitive compensation aligned with UAE market standards is offered.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of HR leadership experience within construction or engineering organizations.
• Strong knowledge of UAE labor law and GCC HR practices.
• Proven experience managing large, multicultural workforces.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute long-term HR strategy aligned with corporate goals.
• Lead recruitment strategies for executive, technical, and operational positions.
• Design and implement performance management frameworks.
• Enhance employee engagement and organizational culture.
• Ensure compliance with UAE labor law and Emiratization.
• Lead HRIS implementation and HR automation initiatives.

Skills

Strategic and business-driven mindset

Strong leadership

Communication abilities

Negotiation abilities

High integrity

Professionalism

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in HR, Business Administration, or related field

Job description

Industry: Construction, Engineering & Infrastructure

Reporting To: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

Role Purpose

The HR Director is a strategic business leader responsible for developing and executing the organization’s human capital strategy to support business growth, project excellence, and long-term sustainability. The role ensures alignment between people strategy, organizational capability, leadership development, and workforce performance across all business units. The HR Director will foster a high-performance culture while ensuring strict compliance with UAE labor law, Emiratization policies, and international HR best practices in a complex, multi-project contracting environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic HR Leadership
  • Develop and execute long-term HR strategy aligned with corporate goals.
  • Translate business objectives into workforce planning, organizational design, and talent strategies.
  • Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO and Board on succession planning, leadership development, and people risk management.
• Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning
  • Lead recruitment strategies for executive, technical, and operational positions.
  • Strengthen employer branding within the construction and engineering sector.
  • Oversee manpower planning, mobilization, and demobilization across multiple projects.
• Performance, Learning & Development
  • Design and implement performance management frameworks.
  • Lead leadership development and succession planning initiatives.
  • Drive continuous learning, competency development, and capability building.
• Employee Relations & Culture
  • Enhance employee engagement, retention, and organizational culture.
  • Manage grievance handling, disciplinary procedures, and investigations.
  • Promote diversity, inclusion, and employee wellbeing initiatives.
• Governance & Compliance
  • Ensure compliance with UAE labor law, WPS, visas, and Emiratization.
  • Maintain HR policies, procedures, and audit readiness.
  • Oversee HR risk management and governance reporting.
• Digital HR Transformation
  • Lead HRIS implementation and HR automation initiatives.
  • Utilize HR analytics for data-driven workforce decisions.
• Compensation & Benefits
  • Executive-level compensation package aligned with UAE market standards.

Experience & Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of HR leadership experience within construction or engineering organizations.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in HR, Business Administration, or related field.
• Strong knowledge of UAE labor law and GCC HR practices.
• Proven experience managing large, multicultural workforces.

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic and business-driven mindset.
• Strong leadership, communication, and negotiation abilities.
• High integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.