HR Generalist

Michael Page; Dubai; On-site; AED 450,000 - 500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance for employee and fam

Company-sponsored employment visa

Long-term career development

Job summary

Michael Page is partnering with a well-established international energy and commodities group to recruit an UAE-based HR leader. You will build HR frameworks, implement policies, manage recruitment activity and ensure compliance with UAE labour law and free zone regulations.

This role suits an entrepreneurial HR professional who thrives on process-building, balancing strategic thinking with day-to-day operations, and partnering with senior leadership to shape the employee experience in Dubai.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive HR Generalist experience in the UAE.
• Experience establishing or developing HR functions in growing businesses.
• Strong knowledge across recruitment, onboarding, ER, PM, learning, compensation, payroll, and compliance.
• Excellent understanding of UAE Labour Law and free zones.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement HR policies, procedures, handbooks, code of conduct, and governance frameworks.
• Establish HR processes aligned with group standards while ensuring local compliance.
• Build and maintain employee records, documentation and HR reporting.
• Lead recruitment for the Dubai operation and coordinate with agencies and managers.
• Oversee onboarding programmes and relocation for international staff.
• Handle employee relations, grievances and disciplinary matters in line with policy.
• Coordinate payroll, benefits, and annual compensation processes.
• Support performance management and learning & development initiatives.
• Ensure visa, work permit and residency processes are compliant with regulations.

Skills

Recruitment & Onboarding

Employee Relations

HR Policies & Governance

HR Compliance UAE Labour Law

Performance Management

Compensation & Benefits

Payroll Administration

Visa & Work Permits

Stakeholder Management

HRIS & MS Office

Arabic (Native)

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business

Tools

HRIS systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

The successful candidate will work closely with the senior leadership team to build HR frameworks, implement policies and procedures, manage recruitment activity, and ensure compliance with UAE labour legislation and free zone regulations.

This opportunity is ideally suited to an HR professional who thrives in entrepreneurial environments, enjoys building processes and is comfortable balancing strategic thinking with operational execution.

Our client is a well-established international energy and commodities group with a significant presence across Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

HR Operations & Infrastructure

• Develop and implement HR policies, procedures, employee handbooks, code of conduct and governance frameworks.
• Establish HR processes aligned with group standards whilst ensuring local compliance.
• Build and maintain employee records, documentation and HR reporting.
• Support the establishment of the new Dubai office and associated people processes.
• Manage HR administration across the employee lifecycle.

Talent Acquisition & Onboarding

• Lead all recruitment activities for the growing Dubai operation.
• Partner closely with business leaders to identify talent requirements and hiring priorities.
• Coordinate recruitment agencies, candidates and hiring managers.
• Design and implement onboarding programmes for new hires.
• Support the relocation and transfer of employees from international offices into Dubai.

Employee Relations

• Act as the first point of contact for employee relations matters.
• Provide practical HR guidance to managers and employees.
• Handle grievances, disciplinary matters and workplace issues in line with local legislation and company policy.
• Build trusted relationships across all levels of the organisation.

Compensation, Benefits & Payroll

• Support payroll administration and related controls.
• Manage employee benefits administration.
• Coordinate annual compensation and salary review processes.
• Support performance-related bonus administration and employee communications.

Performance Management & Development

• Coordinate performance management processes.
• Support learning and development initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen organisational capability and employee engagement.

Compliance & UAE Employment Regulation

• Ensure compliance with UAE Labour Law and relevant regulations.
• Prepare and review employment contracts and supporting documentation.
• Manage visa, work permit and residency processes.
• Liaise with government authorities, free zone entities and external service providers.
• Monitor legislative updates and advise management on potential impacts.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as a trusted advisor to the Managing Director and local leadership team.
• Maintain effective relationships with external providers and government stakeholders.
• Provide regular updates and recommendations on employee matters and compliance requirements.

Profile

• 10+ years of progressive HR Generalist experience within the UAE.
• Proven experience establishing or developing HR functions in a growing or newly established business.
• Strong practical knowledge across:
• Recruitment and onboarding
• Employee relations
• Performance management
• Learning and development
• Compensation and benefits
• Payroll administration
• HR compliance
• End-of-service processes
• Excellent understanding of UAE Labour Law.
• Practical experience working with free zones and mainland employment regulations.
• Experience managing visas, work permits and residency processes.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and HRIS systems.
• Native Arabic Speaker

Job Offer

• Annual package: AED 450,000 - AED 500,000
• Competitive benefits package including:
  • Medical insurance for employee, spouse and eligible dependents
  • Company-sponsored employment visa
  • Long-term career development opportunities within a growing international organisation