HR Director - UAE national

Black Pearl; Dubai; On-site; AED 300,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable organization is seeking a UAE National HR Director to lead their in-house HR department. This strategic role offers a unique opportunity to establish and manage HR functions while ensuring compliance with UAE labor laws. The ideal candidate will have extensive HR leadership experience, particularly in engineering or government-related sectors.

Benefits

Medical insurance for self and family

Education allowance (lump sum)

Annual performance-based bonus

5-day workweek (Saturday and Sunday off)

Flexible start times between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM

Qualifications

• UAE National with at least 10 years of progressive HR experience.
• Must have held a Director or Head-level position.
• Hands-on experience in at least two major HR disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Lead the setup and development of the HR department.
• Design and implement HR policies aligned with UAE labor laws.
• Act as a strategic advisor to the CEO on HR matters.

Skills

Talent Management

Compensation & Benefits

Employee Relations

Performance Management

Organizational Development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field

Job description

We are working with a reputable organization seeking to appoint a UAE National HR Director to lead the establishment of their in-house HR department. This is a strategic leadership role reporting directly to the CEO and offers the opportunity to build and shape the HR function from the ground up. Key Responsibilities: • Lead the setup and development of the organization’s HR department, transitioning from shared services to an independent HR structure • Design and implement HR policies, procedures, and systems aligned with business objectives and UAE labor laws • Oversee all HR functions including recruitment, talent management, compensation & benefits, employee relations, performance management, and organizational development • Act as a strategic advisor to the CEO and senior management on people and culture matters • Build and manage a high-performing HR team to support future growth • Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and organizational standards • Lead change management initiatives during the HR department transition • Develop frameworks for talent acquisition, succession planning, and employee engagement • Oversee the implementation of HR systems and tools for efficiency and transparency

A UAE National with a Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or a related field • At least 10 years of progressive HR experience • Must have held a Director or Head-level position (Manager level will not be considered) • Hands-on experience in at least two major HR disciplines (e.g., Talent & Recruitment, Compensation & Benefits, Organizational Development, or HR Strategy or HR Generalist) • Strong command of English aside from Arabic language • Experience in engineering, infrastructure, or large government-related organizations is preferred • Willing to work on-site in Al Garhoud, Dubai • Flexible mindset and readiness to work beyond standard hours during the initial setup phase Additional Benefits: • Medical insurance for self and family • Education allowance (lump sum) • Annual performance-based bonus • 5-day workweek (Saturday and Sunday off) • Flexible start times between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM (8-hour workday) This is a high-impact role for a results-driven HR leader who thrives in transformation and setup environments. If you have the experience and motivation to build an HR department that drives business success, we’d love to hear from you.