HR Manager Middle East

Oceaneering International Inc.; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Oceaneering International Inc. is seeking an experienced HR Manager for the Middle East. Reporting to the HR Director, Global Operations, you will lead the HR team across the region, partnering with business leaders to shape people strategies, workforce planning, and employee engagement.

You will drive organizational performance, employee relations, and HR initiatives with regional and global impact. You will guide HR programs, align regional practices with Corporate HR, and develop effective

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources Management, or related field.
• Typically 10+ years experience in multiple HR functions including compensation, global mobility, and/or a generalist role.
• 5+ years managing HR staff across multiple locations including offshore and manufacturing sites preferred.
• International country HR experience, preferably in the Middle East.
• Proven ability to coach employees and management through complex issues and to translate business strategies into people actions.
• Experience leading change management plans with risk, stakeholder, and communications expertise.
• Strong knowledge of internal/external HR principles, practices and standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead the HR team supporting employees across the Middle East and partner with business leaders to drive performance and engagement.
• Shape and execute people strategies that strengthen organizational effectiveness and workforce planning.
• Provide expert guidance on employee relations matters and HR programs across regional and global initiatives.
• Oversee HR processes, change management, and communication plans in partnership with Corporate HR and regional stakeholders.
• Develop and coach a high‑performing HR team; align people priorities with business objectives.
• Identify process improvements, governance, and risk mitigation to ensure compliance and efficiency.

Skills

HR Leadership

Global Mobility

Change Management

Employee Relations

Strategic Planning

Stakeholder Management

Data Analytics

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or HR

Tools

Excel

HRIS/HR systems

Job description

Oceaneering is a global provider of engineered services and products, primarily to the offshore energy industry. We develop products and services for use throughout the lifecycle of an offshore oilfield, from drilling to decommissioning. We operate the world's premier fleet of work class ROVs. Additionally, we are a leader in offshore oilfield maintenance services, umbilicals, subsea hardware, and tooling. We also use applied technology expertise to serve the defense, material handling, aerospace, science, and renewable energy industries.

About the Team

Our regional support functions play a critical role in enabling the success of all Oceaneering business units. These teams include disciplines such as Finance, HR, Recruitment, IT, HSE, Supply Chain, Quality, and Administration. Operating collaboratively across multiple departments and geographic locations, they provide responsive, high‑quality support that ensures our operations run efficiently and safely. Having these teams based locally allows us to make timely decisions, respond quickly to operational needs, and maintain strong alignment with our business units and workforce.

Job Description

Reporting to the HR Director, Global Operations, the HR Manager, Middle East will lead the HR team supporting employees across the Middle East. This role serves as a strategic business partner, working closely with business and functional leaders to develop and execute people strategies that strengthen organizational effectiveness, workforce planning, talent development, and employee engagement.

We are seeking an experienced and results‑driven HR leader to oversee HR support across the Middle East. In this role, you will partner with business leaders to shape and execute people strategies that drive organizational performance, employee engagement, and workforce effectiveness. You will provide expert guidance on employee relations matters, champion HR programs and processes, and lead key HR initiatives including projects with regional and global impact, while partnering with stakeholders to align people strategies with business objectives.

As a key member of the HR leadership team, you will lead and develop a high‑performing HR team, influence organizational change, and collaborate with stakeholders across the business to deliver impactful people solutions that support both regional and global objectives.

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL

Collaborate between Corporate HR and client groups for effective communication, trust, and problem solving.

Ensure effective implementation of Corporate HR programs and processes within the region.

Ensure country HR processes and programs are operating effectively, aligned with Corporate; and comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

Identify and lead the re‑engineering of processes, management/employee development, workflow efficiencies, and organizational design in partnership with key stakeholders.

Identify the need for and develop or support effective change management and communication plans for people‑related changes with area of responsibility to appropriately manage risk and deliver on organizational goals.

Anticipate and partner with other stakeholders to understand the people requirements and implications of business projects, initiatives, and action plans; and turn them into people priorities and HR solutions and action plans.

Exert influence to create positive change and proactively mitigate and resolve employee issues.

Act as a trusted advisor on sensitive/complex people‑related matters to ensure business needs are met while mitigating employment risk for the company and ensuring actions are aligned with the company’s values and culture.

Provide guidance and coaching to various levels of management concerning employee engagement, performance management, career development, talent assessment, and retention.

Proactively identify opportunities and assess improvements to the employee experience and partner with key stakeholders to develop and implement solutions.

Lead and develop a high‑performing local/regional HR team to provide efficient and effective support.

Qualifications

REQUIRED

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources Management, or related field

Typically, 10 or more years experience in multiple HR functions including compensation, global mobility, and/or a generalist role, including 5+ years managing HR staff

Experience managing a team across multiple locations including offshore and manufacturing locations is preferred

Relevant international country HR experience, preferably within the Middle East

Demonstrated ability to objectively coach employees and management through complex issues

Has relevant experience or demonstrated ability in turning business strategies into people‑related actions; including development of strategic goals, identifying tactical plans to implement a strategy, and managing plan execution

Experience developing and leading others in the development of change management plans; including risk management, stakeholder identification, and communications

Thorough understanding and hands‑on application of internal and external HR principles, concepts, practices, and standards

Experience developing business cases and presentations for senior leadership review

Strong project management, process development, and continuous improvement skills

Strong relationship, influence, and conflict management skills

Ability to adapt to and communicate in a multi‑cultural environment

Adaptable to conflicting priorities, multiple projects, and time pressures

Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills (including Excel and dashboards)

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics

Has a high accountability, business, and goal‑oriented mind‑set

Strong facilitation and coaching skills

Generates inspiration and has a positive can‑do attitude, solution orientation and customer service mind‑set

Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply the appropriate sections of applicable laws, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, and policies

Demonstrates resiliency and ability to adapt to changes in the external and internal environment

Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills

Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines with urgency

Excellent verbal and written communication