People and Operations Leader | FinTech | Dubai

Emerald Zebra | FinTech, Tech, Finance & Gaming Sector Recruitment Specialists | Jobs in Cyprus; Dubai; On-site; AED 335,000 - 446,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

ESOP

Benefits

Job summary

Emerald Zebra in Dubai is seeking a Head of People & Operations to lead and scale the organisation's HR and operational functions across its global footprint. The role reports to the Group CEO and offers a path toward Chief of Staff with accountability for talent, compliance, and culture.

Based in Dubai, you will oversee talent acquisition, HR operations, performance management, and workforce planning, while ensuring UAE labour compliance and governance across entities.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Lead and scale people and operational functions across global operations.
• Oversee talent acquisition, HR operations, performance management, org design, workforce planning.
• Drive KPI management and internal governance.
• Develop leadership and succession planning across entities.

Skills

People leadership

Talent acquisition

HR operations

Employee relations

Compliance with UAE labour

Education

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

SHRM-SCP

CIPD Level 7

CFA

Tools

WPS

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 30,000 to 40,000 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 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

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

• 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