People Operations Specialist

M&C Saatchi; Dubai; Hybrid; AED 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Global exposure

Supportive team

Impactful role in MENA

Job summary

M&C Saatchi in Dubai is seeking a proactive People Operations Specialist, MENA, to support regional HR services within a global operations function. You will partner with regional teams, ensure compliant processes, and deliver an engaging experience for managers and employees across UAE and the wider MENA region.

This hybrid role requires a data-driven mindset, strong operational delivery, and collaboration with the Head of Global People Operations to streamline processes, while coordinating

Qualifications

• Experience delivering People Operations support in complex environments, ideally with exposure to benefits, compliance, immigration, and global mobility.
• Experience contributing to multi-stakeholder projects, helping move initiatives from planning to delivery.
• A working understanding of UAE employment and immigration frameworks, with the ability to guide managers through key processes.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence and work effectively with managers and peers.
• A solutions-focused approach, providing responsive, professional support to employees and managers.
• Proactive in identifying opportunities to simplify processes and enhance the employee experience.
• Comfortable working with data to produce insights and clear reporting.
• Able to summarise complex information clearly through written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Operational Excellence: Support effective, consistent service delivery across the employee lifecycle. Assist in identifying knowledge gaps and coordinating upskilling sessions for managers and the wider People team. Work closely in region with People Partner and TA alongside Global Talent Development teams.
• Operational Audit & Projects: Work with the Head of Global People Operations to review and enhance processes, policies, and systems across MENA. Contribute to automation efforts, scalability improvements, and compliance initiatives. Support the global roll-out and ongoing development of the Group’s policy suite.
• People Operations Triage: Act as an escalation point (tier 2/3) for more complex People Operations queries that are not able to resolved through self service. Help resolve issues, identify recurring themes, and support improvements to knowledge and processes. Partner with People Partners to ensure smooth and joined-up service delivery.
• Global Employment & Mobility: Coordinate with external vendors to support global employment and talent transfers. Provide guidance on relocation processes, visas, and remuneration packages for talent outside the UK, ensuring a compliant and positive experience.
• Visa & Compliance: Support with reviewing visa compliance and educating managers on requirements. Assist with data protection awareness across the People team. Ensure accuracy and compliance in Right to Work checks, sponsorship, and visa processes. Stay informed on immigration updates across the Middle East and communicate changes to relevant stakeholders.
• People Data & Insight: Assist in producing accurate, timely People data and reporting to support decision-making for the business and People teams. Data insights should be produced for local and global audiences.
• Global HRIS (Workday): Act as a Workday champion across the region, working with the Workday teams to support functionality rollouts, adoption, and training.
• Benefits Management: Support employee understanding and uptake of benefits across MENA. Partner with the Global Head of Reward and local People teams to evolve benefits offerings and improve the employee experience.
• Payroll Administration: Act as the primary coordinator for monthly payroll submissions, preparing changes alongside onboarding and offboarding of employees. Work closely with the payroll provider and internal stakeholders to resolve payroll queries. Ensure compliance with payroll related policies and legislation.

Job description

Job Title: People Operations Specialist, MENA
Location: Dubai (Hybrid working model)
Reports to: Global People Operations Lead
Team: Global People Operations Specialist Team

About the Role

M&C Saatchi Group is seeking a proactive, data-driven, and service-oriented People Operations Specialist, MENA to support People Operations activity across MENA. This role forms part of the Global People Operations Specialist Team, working closely with the Head of Global People Operations and collaborating with regional teams in APAC, Europe and the Americas.

The successful candidate will help streamline and optimise People Operations processes, ensure compliance, and contribute to delivering a seamless, enjoyable experience for managers and employees across the MENA region.

The position is based in Dubai and supports offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia. Experience with these regions is an advantage.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Excellence:
Support effective, consistent service delivery across the employee lifecycle. Assist in identifying knowledge gaps and coordinating upskilling sessions for managers and the wider People team. Work closely in region with People Partner and TA alongside Global Talent Development teams.

Operational Audit & Projects:
Work with the Head of Global People Operations to review and enhance processes, policies, and systems across MENA. Contribute to automation efforts, scalability improvements, and compliance initiatives. Support the global roll-out and ongoing development of the Group’s policy suite.

People Operations Triage:
Act as an escalation point (tier 2/3) for more complex People Operations queries that are not able to resolved through self service. Help resolve issues, identify recurring themes, and support improvements to knowledge and processes. Partner with People Partners to ensure smooth and joined-up service delivery.

Global Employment & Mobility:
Coordinate with external vendors to support global employment and talent transfers. Provide guidance on relocation processes, visas, and remuneration packages for talent outside the UK, ensuring a compliant and positive experience.

Visa & Compliance:
Support with reviewing visa compliance and educating managers on requirements. Assist with data protection awareness across the People team. Ensure accuracy and compliance in Right to Work checks, sponsorship, and visa processes. Stay informed on immigration updates across the Middle East and communicate changes to relevant stakeholders.

People Data & Insight:
Assist in producing accurate, timely People data and reporting to support decision-making for the business and People teams. Data insights should be produced for local and global audiences.

Global HRIS (Workday):
Act as a Workday champion across the region, working with the Workday teams to support functionality rollouts, adoption, and training.

Benefits Management:
Support employee understanding and uptake of benefits across MENA. Partner with the Global Head of Reward and local People teams to evolve benefits offerings and improve the employee experience.

Payroll Administration:
Act as the primary coordinator for monthly payroll submissions, preparing changes alongside onboarding and offboarding of employees. Work closely with the payroll provider and internal stakeholders to resolve payroll queries. Ensure compliance with payroll related policies and legislation.

About You

This role will suit someone with strong operational experience, a collaborative mindset, and a passion for continuously improving People Operations. You will bring:

• Experience: Demonstrated experience delivering People Operations support in complex environments, ideally with exposure to benefits, compliance, immigration, and global mobility.
• Project Coordination: Experience contributing to multi-stakeholder projects, helping move initiatives from planning to delivery.
• Employment Law Knowledge: A working understanding of UAE employment and immigration frameworks, with the ability to guide managers through key processes.
• Multi-Tasking & Organisation: Proven ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence and work effectively with managers and peers.
• Service Orientation: A solutions-focused approach, providing responsive, professional support to employees and managers.
• Continuous Improvement Mindset: Proactive in identifying opportunities to simplify processes and enhance the employee experience.
• Analytical Thinking: Comfortable working with data to produce insights and clear reporting.
• Excellent Communication: Able to summarise complex information clearly through written and verbal communication.

What We Offer

• A high-impact role with exposure across a global organisation
• A dynamic, supportive team environment
• The opportunity to help shape and strengthen People Operations across MENA.