Manager - People & Culture (Cluster) - Aldar Education

Aldar Education; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Aldar Education is seeking a Manager – People & Culture to guide HR across a cluster of Abu Dhabi campuses. You will partner with school leaders to deliver strategic HR solutions, recruitment, onboarding and staff development, while ensuring compliance with UAE Labour Law and ADEK policies.

The role emphasizes workforce planning, employee relations, performance enablement, and data-driven HR operations across the group’s schools. Fluency in English is essential; Arabic is a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR or related field.
• Minimum 5 years HR or recruitment experience.
• Education industry experience is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead HR partner for multiple campuses and provide strategic HR support across the lifecycle.
• Oversee workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding and retention strategies.
• Ensure UAE Labour Law, ADEK compliance and Aldar policies are followed.
• Manage HR data, reporting, systems and documentation.

Skills

Fluent English

Arabic advantage

Organizational skills

Multi-tasking

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business Admin

HR qualification (CIPD) desirable

Tools

Microsoft 365

ERP (Oracle/SAP/MS Dynamics)

Job description

Job Description

Aldar Education is currently seeking an outstanding Manager – People & Culture to support a cluster of schools across Abu Dhabi.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the highly successful Aldar Education family of schools and to help shape the future of Abu Dhabi’s leading school group.

As the leading education group in Abu Dhabi, we provide inclusive and innovative learning that inspires and empowers communities. We offer a range of brands for all learners in our community, from nursery through to adult education. We offer the broadest choice of curricula. In the largest number of locations in Abu Dhabi.

Starting with one school and 250 students in 2007, Aldar Education has grown into a highly sought-after education provider, now supporting over 38,000 students in 31 schools and a growing network of almost 5,000 educators, with over 100 nationalities, offering a wide range of curricula and ancillary services such as a Teacher Training Academy.

Working collaboratively, our education network’s purpose is to empower the next generation to shape our future, directly supporting the educational goals of Abu Dhabi’s government. Today, Aldar Education’s efforts are guided by the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 plan, which aims to build a sustainable knowledge-based economy through premium education.

The successful candidates will be closely aligned with our core values and ethos and possess a genuine understanding and appreciation of the values of the region.

Manager - P&C will oversee and lead the HR function across multiple schools. This strategic business partner role requires balancing daily operational HR needs with long‑term workforce planning and culture‑building initiatives. The P&C Manager will partner with School Principals and senior leadership teams to support all aspects of the employee lifecycle, while also ensuring alignment with Aldar Education’s group‑wide P&C strategies and compliance standards.

Responsibilities

Main Duties

• Act as the lead HR business partner for multiple campuses.
• Provide strategic and operational HR support across the employee lifecycle.
• Lead workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, and retention strategies.
• Guide school leaders on employee relations, performance enablement, and policy implementation.
• Ensure full 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 targets.

Specific Duties

• Strategic HR Partnership
• Collaborate with school leadership to design and implement people strategies aligned to school priorities.
• Act as a strategic advisor to Principals on workforce challenges, resourcing, and succession planning.
• Represent assigned campuses in cluster-wide and group-wide P&C initiatives and audits.
• Talent Acquisition & Onboarding
• Lead end-to-end recruitment, including safer recruitment practices, interviews, and approvals.
• Ensure alignment with approved staffing and budget plans.
• Manage onboarding journeys: pre‑arrival communication, ADEK pass and visa processes, induction, and system access.
• Liaise with HQ P&C, Public Relations, and Government Relations to ensure full regulatory and immigration compliance.
• Performance Enablement & Development
• Coordinate probation reviews and performance appraisal cycles in line with policy.
• Support Principals in identifying and addressing performance concerns.
• Update and align job descriptions with competency frameworks.
• Track and report on professional development and training activity.
• Employee Relations & Compliance
• Lead investigations and manage employee relations cases with confidentiality and professionalism.
• Advise on disciplinary matters, grievances, and conduct concerns.
• Escalate high‑risk or legal issues to HQ P&C and Legal as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate and confidential ER records and trackers.
• HR Operations & Administration
• Oversee day‑to‑day HR operations including time & attendance, leave, staff files, and system updates.
• Issue employment contracts, contract renewals, salary letters, NOCs, and experience letters.
• Process staff exits, final settlements, and clearance documentation in coordination with HQ Payroll and School Ops.
• Maintain accurate organization charts and staffing reports across campuses.
• Data Management & Reporting
• Monitor and report key HR KPIs including turnover, absence, Emiratization, recruitment activity, and compliance rates.
• Ensure HR systems reflect accurate headcount and staff movements.
• Provide ad hoc and scheduled reports to HQ P&C and SLTs.
• Engagement, Wellbeing & Inclusion
• Drive employee engagement through feedback channels, recognition initiatives, and inclusion programs.
• Partner with SLTs to address staff wellbeing and morale.
• Support implementation of Aldar Education’s diversity and inclusion agenda.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or a related field.
• Related industry qualification, of graduate level, for the assigned functional area(s).
• Recognized HR Qualification and/or professional subscription (eg CIPD) desirable.

Minimum Experience:

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

Job Specific Knowledge & Skills:

• Proven knowledge of UAE Labour Law and ADEK/KHDA compliance requirements.
• Advanced computer skills, including Microsoft 360 suite, ERP (Oracle, SAP, MS Dynamics).
• Strong organizational and prioritisation skills.
• Fluent in English; Arabic is an advantage.
• Organised, detail‑oriented, and proactive.
• Skilled in multi‑tasking and handling pressure.

This job description is not all-inclusive. Aldar Education reserves the right to amend this job description at any time. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. We are also mindful of our national development strategy and encourage UAE Nationals in their application at our company.

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.