Manager - People and Culture

Aldar Education LLC; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 300,000 - 500,000; Full time

Job summary

Aldar Education is seeking an outstanding Manager - People and Culture to support a cluster of schools across Abu Dhabi Emirate. The role leads HR operations, partners with Principals and senior leaders to implement workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, and people practices.

You will oversee compliance with UAE Labour Law and ADEK, manage HR data, reporting, and wellbeing initiatives while driving Emiratization and inclusion across campuses.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Graduate-level industry qualification relevant to the assigned functional area.
• Fluent English communication skills.
• Arabic language skills are an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Act as the lead HR business partner for multiple school campuses.
• Provide strategic and operational HR support throughout the employee lifecycle.
• Lead workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, and retention activities.
• Advise school leaders on employee relations, performance enablement, and policy implementation.
• Ensure compliance with UAE Labour Law, ADEK regulations, and Aldar Education policies.
• Manage HR systems, data accuracy, reporting, and compliance documentation.
• Champion employee engagement, wellbeing, inclusion, and Emiratization objectives.

Skills

Fluent English

Stakeholder management

HR policy

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or Business Administration

Graduate-level HR qualification (CIPD desirable)

Tools

Oracle

SAP

Microsoft Dynamics

Job description

Manager - People and Culture Job Snapshot Role: Manager - People and Culture Location: Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates Industry: Education Management Function: Human Resources Experience: Minimum 5 years of experience in HR or Recruitment; education industry experience required Job Type: Not specified Position Overview Aldar Education is seeking an outstanding Manager - People and Culture to support a cluster of schools across Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates. The role will lead and oversee HR operations across multiple campuses, acting as a strategic business partner to Principals and senior leadership teams. The position covers workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, performance enablement, compliance, HR operations, reporting, engagement, wellbeing, inclusion, and Emiratization while ensuring alignment with Aldar Education 's group-wide People and Culture strategies.

Job Details Country: United Arab Emirates City: Abu Dhabi Emirate Industry: Education Management Function: Human Resources Salary: Not disclosed Gender: No Preference Candidate Nationality: Not specified Job Type: Not specified

About the Role

The Manager - People and Culture will oversee the HR function across multiple schools, balancing day-to-day operational requirements with longer-term workforce planning and culture-building priorities. Working closely with School Principals, senior leadership teams, HQ People and Culture, Public Relations, Government Relations, Payroll, Legal, and School Operations, the Manager will support the complete employee lifecycle while maintaining regulatory compliance, accurate HR records, and effective people practices across assigned campuses.

Main Duties

• Act as the lead HR business partner for multiple school campuses.
• Provide strategic and operational HR support throughout the employee lifecycle.
• Lead workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, and retention activities.
• Advise school leaders on employee relations, performance enablement, and policy implementation.
• Ensure compliance with UAE Labour Law, ADEK regulations, and Aldar Education policies.
• Manage HR systems, data accuracy, reporting, and compliance documentation.
• Champion employee engagement, wellbeing, inclusion, and Emiratization objectives.

Strategic HR Partnership

• Collaborate with school leadership teams to develop and implement people strategies aligned with school priorities.
• Advise Principals on workforce challenges, staffing requirements, and succession planning.
• Support longer-term workforce planning across assigned campuses.
• Represent assigned schools in cluster-wide and group-wide People and Culture initiatives.
• Participate in relevant HR audits and compliance activities.
• Maintain alignment between individual school requirements and Aldar Education 's wider People and Culture strategy.

Talent Acquisition and Onboarding

• Lead end-to-end recruitment activities across assigned campuses.
• Apply safer recruitment practices throughout the hiring process.
• Coordinate interviews, approvals, and recruitment documentation.
• Ensure recruitment remains aligned with approved staffing structures and budgets.
• Manage employee onboarding from pre-arrival communication through induction and system access.
• Coordinate ADEK pass and visa processes as required.
• Liaise with HQ People and Culture, Public Relations, and Government Relations teams to support regulatory and immigration compliance.
• Help ensure new employees receive a structured and effective onboarding experience.

Performance Enablement and Development

• Coordinate probation reviews and performance appraisal cycles in accordance with policy.
• Support Principals in identifying and addressing employee performance concerns.
• Maintain and update job descriptions in alignment with relevant competency frameworks.
• Track professional development and training activities.
• Provide reporting on employee development initiatives.
• Support leadership teams in strengthening performance and capability across school teams.

Employee Relations and Compliance

• Lead employee relations investigations professionally and confidentially.
• Manage employee relations cases in accordance with established policies.
• Advise school leadership on disciplinary matters, grievances, and conduct concerns.
• Escalate high-risk or legal matters to HQ People and Culture and Legal teams where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee relations records and trackers.
• Support consistent application of employment policies and procedures.
• Ensure people practices comply with applicable regulatory requirements.

HR Operations and Administration

• Oversee day-to-day HR operations across assigned campuses.
• Manage processes relating to time and attendance, leave, employee files, and HR system updates.
• Issue employment contracts, contract renewals, salary letters, NOCs, and experience letters.
• Coordinate employee exits, final settlements, and clearance documentation with HQ Payroll and School Operations.
• Maintain accurate organization charts.
• Prepare and update staffing reports across assigned schools.
• Ensure employee records and documentation remain complete, accurate, and confidential.

Data Management and Reporting

• Monitor key HR indicators including employee turnover, absence, Emiratization, recruitment activity, and compliance rates.
• Ensure HR systems accurately reflect headcount and employee movements.
• Prepare scheduled and ad hoc reports for HQ People and Culture and school senior leadership teams.
• Maintain reliable HR data to support workforce planning and management decisions.
• Monitor data quality and resolve discrepancies where identified.

Engagement, Wellbeing and Inclusion

• Support employee engagement through feedback channels and recognition initiatives.
• Partner with senior leadership teams to address employee wellbeing and morale.
• Support implementation of Aldar Education 's diversity and inclusion agenda.
• Promote an inclusive and professional workplace culture across assigned schools.
• Contribute to initiatives supporting employee retention and engagement.
• Support Emiratization priorities and related workforce objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor 's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Graduate-level industry qualification relevant to the assigned functional area.
• Recognized HR qualification and/or professional membership such as CIPD is desirable.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience in HR or Recruitment in any industry.
• Education industry experience is essential.

Knowledge and Skills

• Proven knowledge of UAE Labour Law.
• Knowledge of ADEK and KHDA compliance requirements.
• Advanced computer skills.
• Proficiency with the Microsoft 360 suite.
• Experience with ERP systems such as Oracle, SAP, or Microsoft Dynamics.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills.
• Fluent English communication skills.
• Arabic language skills are an advantage.
• Detail-oriented and proactive working style.
• Ability to multitask and work effectively under pressure.
• Strong HR administration and data management capability.
• Ability to handle sensitive employee matters confidentially and professionally.
• Strong stakeholder management and advisory skills.

Safeguarding and Appointment Requirements

Aldar Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Offers of appointment are subject to satisfactory references and police clearance.

About Aldar Education

Aldar Education is a UAE-based education provider operating a growing network of owned and managed schools. Established with one school and 250 students in 2007, the organization now supports more than 38,000 students across 31 schools and a network of almost 5000 educators representing more than 100 nationalities. Its education network offers a broad range of curricula and related services while supporting Abu Dhabi 's wider educational goals.