People and Operations Leader

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

Job summary

Emerald Zebra – Recruitment & Executive Search in Dubai seeks a Head of People & Operations to lead talent, HR operations, and payroll across multiple fintech entities. The role is hands-on and strategic, reporting to the Group CEO, with ambition to scale the function and prepare for broader Chief of Staff responsibilities.

Based in DIFC, you will drive talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, ESOPs, and governance across jurisdictions in a fast‑growing, regulated

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience across HR, People Operations, Operations.
• Strong UAE experience with understanding of labor 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

Responsibilities

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

Skills

People leadership

Talent acquisition

HR operations

Performance management

Organisation design

Workforce planning

Employee relations

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, Psychology, Law, Finance, or related

SHRM-SCP, CIPD Level 7, CFA or equivalents advantageous

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.

Mandatory:

1. Experience operating in a regulated fintech environment (DFSA, VARA, ADGM, or SCA exposure an advantage). Only candidates with a fintech background will be considered. Regulated trading platform (FX/CFDs,Crypto, Prop tradingenvironments or payments preferred), like for like, this is a multi asset, multi jurisdiction, regulated financial trading organisation.

2. 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.

3. The package is AED 30,000 to 40,000 per month+ Performance Bonus + ESOP, Benefits.

4. on‑site, DIFC, Dubai.

Role Overview

A growing fintech group is seeking a Head of People & Operations to take senior executive responsibility for building, leading, and scaling the organization’s 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 organizational 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, organizational 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
• Organization Design & Workforce Planning

Candidate Profile

Experience

• 8+ years of experience across HR, People Operations, Operations.
• Strong UAE experience with strong understanding of labor 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

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, Psychology, Law, Finance, or a related discipline
• SHRM‑SCP, CIPD Level 7, CFA, or equivalent professional certifications are advantageous