People and Operations Leader

Emerald Zebra - Recruitment & Executive Search; Dubai; On-site; AED 335,000 - 446,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance Bonus

ESOP Benefits

Job summary

Emerald Zebra - Recruitment & Executive Search in Dubai seeks a Head of People & Operations to lead HR and operations across a fast-growing fintech group. The role reports to the Group CEO and offers a potential transition to Chief of Staff within 12 to 18 months.

The role requires 8+ years in HR/People Operations, deep UAE labour law knowledge, and experience scaling functions in regulated environments. Location is Dubai, with a hands-on, high-accountability operating style.

Qualifications

• 8 years of experience across HR and People Operations.
• Strong UAE experience with labour law, WPS, free-zone regulations, and Dubai talent market.
• Experience in fintech, financial services, or regulated industries is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for People & Operations across the Group.
• Oversee Talent Acquisition, HR Operations, Performance Management, and ESOPs.
• Drive culture, employee experience, and succession planning.

Skills

People leadership

Talent acquisition

HR operations

Employee relations

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business/ Psychology/Law/Finance

SHRM-SCP

CIPD Level 7

CFA or equivalent certifications

Job description

Head of People & Operations Dubai UAE

Career Progression: Potential transition to Chief of Staff within 12 to 18 months

What we are looking for:

Our client is a fast-growing multi-entity digital asset and trading group headquartered in Dubai. They are seeking a Head of People and Operations with 10 years of progressive HR and people operations experience gained directly within fintech FX/CFD crypto or payments and already based in Dubai. This is a hands-on build role reporting directly to the Group CEO with progression toward a Chief of Staff remit so the successful candidate will combine core people leadership (talent acquisition HR operations employee relations compliance with UAE labour requirements) with strong project management across entities and jurisdictions.

Experience operating in a regulated environment (DFSA VARA ADGM or SCA exposure an advantage) and a track record of scaling people functions through rapid growth are essential. The role suits an operator at Head of People Head of HR or senior HRBP/People Operations level ready to step up who brings resilience commitment and the ability to deliver in a fast-paced high-accountability environment.

The package is AED 30000 to 40000 per month

• Performance Bonus
• ESOP Benefits

Role Overview

A growing fintech group is seeking a Head of People & Operations to take senior executive responsibility for building leading and scaling the organizations people and operational functions across its global operations. This is a strategic builder role designed for a commercially minded operator capable of transforming HR and operations into high-performing business functions that support organisational growth execution operational excellence leadership capability and culture across the Group.

Based in Dubai the role oversees core people and operational functions across the Group and affiliated entities including talent acquisition HR operations performance management organisational design workforce planning operational processes KPI management and internal governance.

The successful candidate must have prior experience operating in a fast-paced high-growth regulated fintech environment.

Key deliverables:

• People & Operations Leadership
• Talent Acquisition & Employer Brand
• HR & Operations
• Performance Compensation & ESOPs
• Culture & Employee Experience
• Leadership Development & Succession Planning
• Employee Relations & Risk Management
• Organisation Design & Workforce Planning

Candidate Profile

Experience

• 8 years of experience across HR People Operations Operations.
• Strong UAE experience with strong understanding of labour law WPS free-zone regulations and the Dubai talent market
• Experience within fintech financial services or regulated industries is essential.
• Proven track record of building scaling or transforming operational or people functions in high-growth environments
• Experience operating across multiple entities and jurisdictions

Education & Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in HR Business Psychology Law Finance or a related discipline
• SHRM-SCP CIPD Level 7 CFA or equivalent professional certifications are advantageous