HR Generalist

Grant Thornton; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 240,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

Grant Thornton in Abu Dhabi is seeking an HR Generalist to support the People & Culture function. You will manage the employee lifecycle, assist payroll data accuracy, and ensure regulatory compliance across HR processes.

Ideal candidate holds a degree in HR or related field, with 4+ years in HR operations and business partnering, and experience in a professional services or financial services environment; Arabic language skills are a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, or related discipline.
• Professional HR qualification (CIPD or equivalent) is desirable.
• At least four years of progressive HR experience across both HR operations and business partnering environments.
• Experience within a professional services, consulting, financial services, or similar fast-paced environment preferred.
• Strong HR administration and operational management capabilities.
• Experience using HRIS platforms and reporting tools.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and strong PowerPoint and Word skills.
• Ability to analyse workforce data and produce meaningful insights.
• Strong understanding of HR policies, procedures, and compliance requirements.
• Exposure to UAE labour law and employment practices.
• Fluent business level Arabic speaking skills will be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• HR Operations & Employee Lifecycle: Manage onboarding, probation reviews, promotions, transfers, contract amendments, and offboarding.
• Prepare and issue employment documentation, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Maintain employee records within HR systems and personnel files.
• Coordinate visa, labour, and immigration-related HR activities where applicable.
• Support payroll administration by ensuring accurate employee data and timely submissions.
• Monitor probation periods, contract renewals, and key employee milestones.
• Ensure HR policies, procedures, and employee records remain compliant with internal and regulatory requirements.
• Respond to employee HR queries and provide guidance on policies and procedures.
• Business Partnering & Employee Relations: Build strong relationships with managers, support lifecycle decisions, advise on employee relations, assist with performance review cycles, and contribute to workforce planning.
• HR Projects & Process Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve HR processes, contribute to HR transformation, and develop HR dashboards and analytics.
• Reporting & Data Management: Produce HR reports on headcount, turnover, recruitment, absence, and trends; maintain data integrity and support governance.

Skills

HR planning

Employee relations

Stakeholder management

Data analytics

HR policy compliance

Arabic language aptitude (advantageous

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, or related discipline

CIPD or equivalent qualification desirable

Tools

HRIS systems

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

Job description

We’re a large and growing professional services firm that still feels like a community. With over 76,000 professionals in more than 150 countries, we combine global scale with local expertise to help dynamic organizations unlock their potential for growth. We truly care about our colleagues, our clients, and the communities where we work and live.

As a HR Generalist, you’ll be part of the backbone of the firm’s operations, providing the essential internal support that enables client‑facing service lines to deliver high‑quality work. IC includes functions such as IT, HR Operations, People & Culture, Finance, Marketing, and other enabling teams that keep the firm running smoothly.

Discover your purple and join our Internal Client Services Team today!

Let us paint a picture for you

Imagine being part of a team that puts “we before me”, where flexibility is a mindset, and where you trust your colleagues to have your back.

Imagine working for an organization that believes in the power of authenticity in everything that we do. Whether you're steering discussions in a client meeting, tackling your fear of heights at the top of the Burj Khalifa or ziplining across Jebel Jais – bring your true self to work. Be a part of a team driven by a purpose of shaping the world that we live in, based on trust and integrity in markets, dynamic businesses, and communities where businesses and people thrive.

Join us to expand your horizons, be inspired, face challenges, and most importantly, be yourself.

About People & Culture

The People & Culture (P&C) function, operating as part of IC, is responsible for shaping and supporting the full employee lifecycle while ensuring that all internal people‑related processes run smoothly, compliantly, and consistently across the firm. P&C serves as a strategic partner to the business, enabling high performance and an excellent employee experience.

As a HR Generalist some of your responsibilities will include:

HR Operations & Employee Lifecycle

• Manage end-to-end employee lifecycle activities including onboarding, probation reviews, promotions, transfers, contract amendments, and offboarding
• Prepare and issue employment‑related documentation, ensuring accuracy and compliance
• Maintain employee records within HR systems and personnel files
• Coordinate visa, labour, and immigration‑related HR activities where applicable
• Support payroll administration by ensuring accurate employee data and timely submissions
• Monitor probation periods, contract renewals, and key employee milestones
• Ensure HR policies, procedures, and employee records remain compliant with internal and regulatory requirements
• Respond to employee HR queries and provide guidance on policies and procedures

Business Partnering & Employee Relations

• Build strong working relationships with managers across assigned service lines
• Support managers on employee lifecycle decisions, performance management, organisational changes, and people‑related matters
• Provide first‑line advice on employee relations issues, escalating complex matters appropriately
• Assist with performance review cycles, calibration discussions, and talent management initiatives
• Support workforce planning, resource forecasting, and headcount tracking activities
• Contribute to employee engagement, wellbeing, and culture initiatives
• Support implementation of people strategies aligned with business objectives

HR Projects & Process Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve HR processes, systems, and employee experience
• Contribute to HR transformation, digitalisation, and automation initiatives
• Assist in developing and maintaining HR dashboards, reports, and people analytics
• Support annual HR activities including budgeting, promotions, compensation reviews, and engagement surveys
• Participate in cross‑functional projects and firm‑wide people initiatives

Reporting & Data Management

• Produce regular HR reports and insights on headcount, turnover, recruitment, absence, and workforce trends
• Maintain data integrity across HR systems and reporting tools
• Support compliance, audit, and governance requirements through accurate documentation and reporting
• Analyse people data to support decision‑making and identify trends

Skills Description

Think you've got what it takes to be a HR Generalist? Like the colour purple? Great. Here's a few more boxes we're also hoping you can tick:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, or related discipline
• Professional HR qualification (CIPD or equivalent) is desirable
• At least four years of progressive HR experience across both HR operations and business partnering environments
• Experience within a professional services, consulting, financial services, or similar fast‑paced environment preferred
• Strong HR administration and operational management capabilities
• Experience using HRIS platforms and reporting tools
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and strong PowerPoint and Word skills
• Ability to analyse workforce data and produce meaningful insights
• Strong understanding of HR policies, procedures, and compliance requirements
• Exposure to UAE labour law and employment practices
• Fluent business level Arabic speaking skills will be advantageous