HR Manager - UAE

Cornerstone Global Partners (CGP Group); Dubai; On-site; AED 360,000 - 480,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornerstone Global Partners (CGP Group) is seeking an HR Manager for the UAE to partner with the General Manager and leadership, running HR end-to-end from design to payroll and UAE compliance. You will operate with a lean HR setup, delivering ownership, direct leadership access, and measurable impact on growth.

You will drive organisational design, talent management, payroll, visas, benefits, and Workday-based processes, while aligning with global HR standards and local MOHRE regulations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR/related field.
• 5–7 years HR experience with UAE exposure.
• Strong knowledge of UAE labour law and MOHRE regulations.
• Hands-on HR partner to senior leaders on organisational development and employee relations.
• Experience with international HR projects or process harmonisation is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the GM and leadership team on organisational design and workforce planning.
• Manage the full employee lifecycle: recruitment, onboarding, probation, changes, exits and offboarding.
• Ensure UAE labour law compliance, MOHRE regulations, leave, gratuity and disciplinary processes.
• Prepare and verify payroll, coordinate WPS, and manage benefits and medical insurance.
• Coordinate visa and immigration processes with the PRO.
• Lead performance-management cycle including objectives, appraisals and salary reviews.
• Own HR policies, handbook, personnel files and HR documentation.
• Lead recruitment, including agency coordination and LinkedIn.
• Coordinate training and development, and drive employee relations and engagement.
• Report headcount and HR costs to local management and HQ.

Skills

HR strategy & planning

Employee relations

Payroll & benefits

Visa processes

Workday

HR analytics

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/related field

Tools

Workday

Job description

HR Manager – UAE

Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Full-time, permanent

Please Note

Initial screening takes place via our AI interview, and if there's a match, our consultant will contact you directly.

About The Company

Our client is a German global biopharmaceutical company with an established entity in Dubai. The UAE affiliate works closely with its German headquarters and Global HR, combining international standards with local ownership.

About The Role

This is the HR role for the UAE entity. You will partner directly with the General Manager and leadership team, and run HR end to end: from organisational design and succession planning to payroll, visas and UAE compliance.

There is no large local HR team behind you. That means real ownership, direct access to leadership, and visible impact on how the business grows.

What You'll Do

• Partner with the GM and leadership team on organisational design, workforce planning, succession planning and talent management.
• Manage the full employee lifecycle: recruitment, offers, onboarding, probation, changes, exits and offboarding.
• Ensure compliance with UAE labour law and MOHRE requirements, including contracts, leave, gratuity and disciplinary processes.
• Prepare and verify payroll, coordinate WPS, and manage benefits and medical insurance.
• Coordinate visa and immigration processes with the PRO.
• Run the performance-management cycle, including objectives, appraisals and salary reviews.
• Own HR policies, the employee handbook, personnel files and HR documentation.
• Lead recruitment, including coordination with agencies and LinkedIn.
• Coordinate training and development, and drive employee relations and engagement.
• Report headcount, salary, leave and HR costs to local management and headquarters.
• Drive the local implementation, adoption and continuous improvement of Workday in line with global standards.
• Act as a key partner to Global HR on international projects, process harmonisation and organisational initiatives.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology or a related field.
• 5–7 years of progressive HR experience, including at least 2–3 years hands-on in the UAE.
• Strong knowledge of UAE labour law, MOHRE regulations, visa processes, payroll, benefits and HR compliance.
• Experience as a trusted HR partner to senior leaders on organisational development, workforce planning and employee relations.
• Hands-on experience across the full employee lifecycle.
• Solid understanding of HR systems and digital HR processes. Workday experience is a significant advantage.
• Strong analytical skills, with experience in HR metrics, headcount reporting and compensation data.
• Ability to work independently without a large local HR team, while building strong partnerships with Global HR and headquarters.
• Discretion and confidence in handling sensitive employee and business matters.
• Experience in pharma, medical devices, healthcare or life sciences, or another multinational organisation, is highly desirable.
• Experience in international HR projects or process harmonisation is an advantage.
• Fluent English required. Arabic is an advantage.