HR Manager - 18 months contract role

Transguard Workforce Solutions; Dubai; On-site; AED 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Transguard Workforce Solutions is recruiting an HR Manager on an 18-month contract for a Dubai-based client. The role covers employee relations, governance, payroll oversight and performance management within a multi-functional setting.

The successful candidate will bring 7–10+ years of HR experience, with strong UAE labour law knowledge and a track record in industrial or manufacturing environments. Dubai-based office, on-site role.

Qualifications

• 7–10+ years HR experience with 3–5 years in an HR BP, Senior HR Generalist or HR Manager role.
• Strong UAE labour law knowledge and practical application across disciplinary matters.
• Experience in an industrial, engineering, manufacturing, distribution or similar operational environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Build trusted relationships with employees and leaders; coach and advise on HR matters.
• Lead ethics and workplace investigations with documentation and follow-up actions.
• Manage employee relations matters, including grievances and disciplinary processes.
• Ensure UAE Employment Practices and HR compliance across contracts, leave and working hours.
• Implement and review HR policies; ensure process compliance and governance.
• Oversee end-to-end payroll governance; monitor inputs, approvals and timelines.
• Support performance management, talent discussions and retention actions.
• Coordinate employee experience initiatives and engagement activities.

Skills

Employee relations

Stakeholder management

Coaching leaders

Policy enforcement

Change management

Communication

Job description

Transguard Workforce Solutions continues to lead the UAE market as a trusted partner for innovative and fully integrated HR services. With more than a decade of experience and a highly skilled team, we are proud to support organizations across the region with tailored workforce solutions.

We are currently hiring a HR Manager - 18 months contract role on behalf of a prestigious client, based in their Dubai office.

Job Responsibilities:

• Employee Relations & Business Partnership – strong ability to build trusted relationships, coach leaders, address employee concerns and provide practical HR advice aligned with business needs.
• Ethics & Workplace Investigations – hands-on experience managing complaints, grievances, disciplinary matters and investigations, including interviews, evidence review, documentation, findings and follow-up actions.
• Conflict Management – ability to manage difficult conversations, mediate workplace issues and facilitate practical and fair resolution.
• UAE Employment Practices & HR Compliance – sound knowledge of UAE Labour Law and practical application across disciplinary matters, termination, leave, working hours, contracts and employee rights and obligations.
• HR Governance & Policies – experience implementing and reviewing HR policies, ensuring process compliance and identifying control or process gaps.
• Payroll Governance – understanding of the end-to-end payroll cycle, required inputs, controls, approvals and timelines; ability to oversee timely and accurate delivery without necessarily being a payroll specialist.
• Performance & Talent Management – experience supporting performance management, development, talent discussions, succession planning and retention actions.
• Employee Experience & Engagement – experience coordinating recognition, service awards, wellness, cultural and other employee engagement initiatives.

Experience:

• 7–10+ years of progressive HR experience, ideally including 3–5 years in an HR Business Partner, Senior HR Generalist or HR Manager capacity.
• Strong UAE HR experience with practical exposure to local employment practices and employee relations.
• Experience supporting a multi-functional organization and partnering with employees and leaders at different levels.
• Experience in an industrial, engineering, automotive, manufacturing, distribution or similarly operational environment is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience independently managing complex employee relations matters and sensitive people issues.

Key Skills & Behaviours

• Relationship Building – approachable and credible with employees while able to establish strong partnerships with managers and senior leaders.
• Business Acumen – understands business priorities and provides practical HR solutions rather than operating HR in isolation.
• Judgment & Decision-Making – able to assess facts, risk, policy and context before determining the appropriate HR approach.
• Independence & Ownership – capable of handling matters with limited supervision, taking accountability and following actions through to closure.
• Influencing & Coaching – confident in challenging, advising and coaching managers, including when the HR recommendation differs from the manager’s initial position.
• Communication – strong verbal and written communication skills, particularly for sensitive employee matters, investigations and management advice.
• Confidentiality & Integrity – demonstrates discretion, neutrality and professionalism when dealing with sensitive information.
• Organization & Execution – able to manage multiple priorities including employee relations cases, payroll timelines, performance cycles and HR initiatives.
• Responsiveness & Follow-Through – provides timely support, maintains clear ownership and ensures commitments and actions are completed.