Manager - HR Operations

Dutco Group; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 335,000 - 614,000; Full time

Job summary

Dutco Group on a major Abu Dhabi construction project seeks an on-site HR leader to manage project-based HR operations, attendance, payroll coordination, and workforce welfare. You will serve as the primary liaison between project management and Corporate HR, ensuring compliant processes across a multicultural workforce.

With minimum 15 years in HR, including 5 in management, you will drive workforce planning, mobilisation, employee relations, and data reporting.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of HR experience with at least 5 years in a managerial role.
• Knowledge of UAE labour laws, GCC construction industry requirements.
• Experience in workforce planning, mobilisation, attendance management, and employee lifecycle processes.
• Experience in employee relations, labour administration, and welfare programmes.
• Ability to lead HR functions across large-scale GCC construction projects.
• Ability to manage workforce mobilisation, deployment, and employee welfare activities.
• Strong data analysis and workforce reporting skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead project-based HR operations and workforce administration on-site.
• Coordinate recruitment, manpower planning, and deployment with HR teams.
• Oversee attendance monitoring, timekeeping, and payroll coordination.
• Manage employee relations, investigations, grievance resolution, and welfare initiatives.
• Coordinate with Corporate HR and project leadership to align HR initiatives.
• Oversee welfare programs, accommodation, transportation, and camp services.
• Prepare HR, manpower, attendance, and workforce reports.

Skills

HR operations management

Employee relations

Workforce planning

UAE labour laws

Multicultural workforce management

Disciplinary case management

Attendance management

Payroll coordination

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Job description

Job description

Manages project-based Human Resources operations and workforce administration for a major construction project. Acts as the lead Human Resources representative on-site and the primary liaison between project management and Corporate HR, ensuring effective workforce mobilisation, HR service delivery, attendance management, payroll coordination, employee welfare, regulatory compliance, and workforce administration. Coordinates with Corporate HR functional teams on recruitment, employee relations, workforce planning, and other specialised HR services to support project objectives and workforce requirements.

1. Workforce Planning and Mobilisation

• Coordinates project manpower requirements and mobilisation activities with Manager - HR Recruitment, Manager – HR Workforce, and Administration teams.
• Facilitates deployment of staff, operatives, and direct labour in accordance with approved manpower plans and project schedules.
• Monitors workforce strength, vacancies, mobilisation status, and utilisation levels.
• Oversees onboarding, site induction, accommodation allocation, transportation arrangements, and workforce deployment activities.
• Ensures workforce requirements are fulfilled within approved staffing plans and project timelines.

2. Project HR Operations Management

• Manages all HR operations and workforce administration activities at project level.
• Ensures accuracy and completeness of employee records, HR documentation, and workforce data.
• Monitors workforce movements, transfers, promotions, disciplinary actions, and employee status changes.
• Ensures compliance with company HR policies, procedures, and project requirements.
• Serves as the focal point for all HR-related matters at the project site.

3. Attendance and Leave Management

• Oversees attendance monitoring, timekeeping, and workforce attendance control systems.
• Supervises Project Timekeepers and ensures accuracy of attendance records.
• Validates attendance data for payroll processing and reporting purposes.
• Monitors absenteeism trends and addresses unauthorised absences.
• Coordinates annual leave planning, workforce rotations, and leave utilisation with project management.
• Oversees project timekeeping administration and ensures workforce attendance records support payroll processing and operational requirements.
• Coordinates with Payroll and Corporate HR regarding attendance adjustments, leave settlements, and payroll-related workforce records.

4. Employee Relations and Workforce Engagement

• Serves as the primary point of contact for employee relations matters at project level and coordinates cases with the Manager – HR Employee Relations.
• Supports investigations, disciplinary processes, grievance resolution, and employee welfare initiatives in accordance with company procedures and guidance from the Manager – HR Employee Relations.
• Provides advice and support to project managers and supervisors on employee relations matters and escalates complex cases to the Manager – HR Employee Relations.
• Conducts counselling sessions, grievance meetings, disciplinary hearings, workplace investigations, and employee welfare discussions as required.
• Promotes positive employee engagement and workforce relations across the project.

5. Corporate HR Coordination

• Acts as the primary HR liaison between project management and Corporate HR functions.
• Coordinates recruitment requirements with the Manager - HR Recruitment and supports project hiring activities.
• Coordinates manpower planning, mobilisation requirements, and workforce deployment activities with Manager – HR Workforce.
• Coordinates employee relations matters, investigations, disciplinary cases, and grievances with the Manager – HR Employee Relations.
• Supports implementation of performance management, learning and development, and other HR initiatives at project level.
• Facilitates communication and alignment between project leadership and Corporate HR functions.

6. Employee Welfare and Site Support Services

• Oversees staff and labour welfare programmes, accommodation administration, transportation services, and camp administration activities.
• Conducts periodic inspections of accommodation and welfare facilities.
• Ensures employees have access to required support services and facilities.
• Drives continuous improvement initiatives related to workforce wellbeing and welfare standards.

7. HR Reporting and Workforce Analytics

• Prepares and submits HR, manpower, attendance, leave, and workforce reports.
• Monitors workforce metrics, utilisation rates, and HR operational indicators.
• Provides project leadership with workforce insights and recommendations.
• Supports workforce planning and budgeting activities through analysis of HR data.

Minimum 15 years of HR experience, with at least 5 years in a managerial role.

• Knowledge of UAE labour laws, HR practices, and GCC construction industry requirements.
• Knowledge of workforce planning, mobilisation, attendance management, and employee lifecycle processes.
• Knowledge of employee relations, labour administration, and workforce welfare programmes.
• Skills in managing HR operations for large multicultural workforces, including direct labour populations.
• Skills in employee relations, disciplinary case management, and grievance resolution.
• Skills in workforce reporting, data analysis, and stakeholder management.
• Ability to lead HR functions across large-scale GCC construction projects.
• Ability to manage workforce mobilisation, deployment, and employee welfare activities.
• Ability to resolve workforce issues while maintaining compliance with company policies and labour regulations.