HR Director - Contracting

Big Fish Recruitment; Dubai; On-site; AED 400,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Big Fish Recruitment is seeking an experienced HR Director to lead the people and HR function for a growing fit-out and interiors business in Dubai. The role provides strategic HR leadership, supporting business growth while ensuring strong workforce planning, talent management, employee engagement, and UAE employment compliance.

The successful candidate will lead HR strategy, organisational development, and governance, partnering with the CEO and senior leaders to drive performance, culture,

Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive HR experience with senior leadership exposure.
• Strong background in fit-out, interiors, construction, contracting, or related industries.
• Experience managing large, diverse workforces including site-based and project teams.
• Deep knowledge of UAE Labour Law and HR best practices.
• Proven ability to develop HR strategies aligned to business goals.
• Excellent leadership and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the company's overall HR strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Lead workforce planning, organisational development, talent acquisition, and succession planning.
• Oversee recruitment and retention of senior management, project management, technical, and site-based teams.
• Develop performance management, career development, and employee engagement programmes.
• Establish and maintain HR policies, procedures, and organisational structures.
• Provide strategic advice to the CEO and senior leadership on people-related matters.
• Oversee compensation, benefits, salary structures, and workforce budgeting.
• Ensure compliance with UAE Labour Law and relevant employment regulations.
• Manage employee relations, disciplinary matters, grievances, and organisational change.
• Develop HR metrics and dashboards to monitor workforce performance and organisational effectiveness.
• Lead and develop the HR team to maintain high service levels.

Skills

Strategic HR Leadership

Workforce Planning

Talent Acquisition

Employee Engagement

UAE Labour Law

Stakeholder Management

Change Management

Job description

We are seeking an experienced HR Director to lead the people and HR function of a growing fit-out and interiors business in Dubai.The successful candidate will provide strategic HR leadership across the organisation, supporting business growth while ensuring strong workforce planning, talent management, employee engagement, and compliance with UAE employment regulations.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the company's overall HR strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Lead workforce planning, organisational development, talent acquisition, and succession planning.
• Oversee the recruitment and retention of senior management, project management, technical, and site-based teams.
• Develop effective performance management, career development, and employee engagement programmes.
• Establish and maintain HR policies, procedures, and organisational structures.
• Provide strategic advice to the CEO and senior leadership team on people-related matters.
• Oversee compensation, benefits, salary structures, and workforce budgeting.
• Ensure compliance with UAE Labour Law and relevant employment regulations.
• Manage employee relations, disciplinary matters, grievances, and organisational change.
• Develop HR metrics and dashboards to monitor workforce performance and organisational effectiveness.
• Lead and develop the HR team, ensuring a high level of service across the business.
• Support organisational growth, restructuring, and expansion initiatives.

• 12+ years of progressive HR experience, with significant experience at HR Director / Head of HR / senior HR leadership level.
• Strong background in fit‑out, interiors, construction, contracting, engineering, or related industries.
• Experience managing large and diverse workforces, including site-based and project teams.
• Strong knowledge of UAE Labour Law and HR best practices.
• Proven experience in strategic HR, organisational development, talent management, and workforce planning.
• Strong commercial understanding and ability to work closely with the CEO and senior leadership.
• Excellent leadership, communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience within the UAE/GCC market is highly preferred.