Strategic HR Leader, Middle East & Change

Oceaneering; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 360,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Oceaneering invites an experienced HR Manager, Middle East, to lead the regional HR team in Abu Dhabi and serve as a strategic partner to business leaders. The role focuses on workforce planning, talent development, employee engagement, and program execution across the Middle East.

You will guide employee relations, drive HR programs, and lead regional initiatives with global impact, partnering with stakeholders to align people strategies with business goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Human Resources Management, or related field.
• Typically, 10+ years experience in multiple HR functions including compensation, global mobility, and/or a generalist role, including 5+ years managing HR staff.
• Experience managing a team across multiple locations including offshore and manufacturing locations is preferred.
• Relevant international country HR experience, preferably within the Middle East.
• Demonstrated ability to coach employees and management through complex issues.
• Has experience turning business strategies into people-related actions; development of strategic goals and tactical plans.
• Experience developing and leading change management plans; risk management and communications.
• Understanding of internal and external HR principles, concepts, practices, and standards.
• Experience developing business cases and presentations for senior leadership review.
• Strong project management, process development, and continuous improvement skills.
• Strong relationship, influence, and conflict management skills.
• Ability to adapt to a multi-cultural environment.
• Adaptable to conflicting priorities, multiple projects, and time pressures.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills (Excel and dashboards).

Responsibilities

• Collaborate between Corporate HR and client groups for effective communication, trust, and problem solving.
• Ensure effective implementation of Corporate HR programs and processes within the region.
• Ensure country HR processes and programs are operating effectively, aligned with Corporate; and comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
• Identify and lead the re-engineering of processes, management/employee development, workflow efficiencies, and organizational design in partnership with key stakeholders.
• Identify the need for and develop or support effective change management and communication plans for people-related changes with area of responsibility to appropriately manage risk and deliver on organizational goals.
• Anticipate and partner with other stakeholders to understand the people requirements and implications of business projects, initiatives, and action plans; and turn them into people priorities and HR solutions and action plans.
• Exert influence to create positive change and proactively mitigate and resolve employee issues.
• Act as a trusted advisor on sensitive/complex people-related matters to ensure business needs are met while mitigating employment risk for the company and ensuring actions are aligned with the company’s values and culture.
• Provide guidance and coaching to various levels of management concerning employee engagement, performance management, career development, talent assessment, and retention.
• Proactively identify opportunities and assess improvements to the employee experience and partner with key stakeholders to develop and implement solutions.
• Lead and develop a high-performing local/regional HR team to provide efficient and effective support.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Employee relations

Change management

Stakeholder management

HR analytics

Performance management

Workforce planning

Talent development

Communication

Multi-cultural

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

Tools

Excel

Dashboard software

Job description

Oceaneering invites an experienced HR Manager, Middle East, to lead the regional HR team in Abu Dhabi and serve as a strategic partner to business leaders. The role focuses on workforce planning, talent development, employee engagement, and program execution across the Middle East.

You will guide employee relations, drive HR programs, and lead regional initiatives with global impact, partnering with stakeholders to align people strategies with business goals.