Talent Acquisition Lead - Abu Dhabi

Hill International; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 350,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Hill International in Abu Dhabi is seeking a Talent Acquisition Lead for the Middle East to shape and execute recruitment strategy, oversee a small TA team, and actively source, evaluate, and hire top talent. You will partner with the Regional TA Lead, engage hiring managers, and drive end-to-end recruitment, competency assessments, and employer branding while ensuring compliance with local labor laws.

This role requires a hands-on leader with deep market insight into PMCM and a track record of

Qualifications

• 12 years of recruitment experience including leadership roles in technical hiring.
• Extensive knowledge of GCC/Middle East labor markets.
• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing recruitment teams.
• Experience with ATS platforms and HR technologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead recruitment strategy aligned with business goals and oversee a small TA team.
• Own end-to-end recruitment from job descriptions to offers and onboarding.
• Partner with hiring managers and stakeholders to define requirements.
• Develop and monitor KPIs to improve TA performance.
• Drive employer branding initiatives in conjunction with marketing.
• Ensure compliance with local labor laws and internal policies.
• Collaborate with HR mobilization and visa teams for onboarding.

Skills

Hands-on recruitment leadership

Market knowledge GCC/Middle East

Stakeholder collaboration

Data-driven decision making

Communication & influence

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR / Business Administration or related field

Tools

ATS platforms

HR technologies

Job description

Hill International provides program project and construction management services for clients in a range of sectors undertaking major construction projects across the world. Our services include cost engineering and estimating quality assurance inspection scheduling risk management and claims avoidance. For more information on Hill please visit our website at .

Position Overview:

As the Talent Acquisition Lead for the Middle East you will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing recruitment strategies in alignment with business objectives. Working closely with the Regional TA Lead you will directly oversee a small team while maintaining a handson approach to sourcing evaluating and hiring toptier talent. This role demands active engagement with stakeholders meticulous attention to detail and a deep commitment to achieving recruitment excellence.

General Description of Role and Responsibilities:

• Lead by Example: Actively participate in sourcing screening and interviewing candidates while mentoring and guiding TA team members to enhance their capabilities.
• Strategic Alignment: Collaborate closely with the Regional TA Lead to develop and implement talent acquisition strategies that support business goals.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong relationships with hiring managers and stakeholders to understand their recruitment needs and provide expert guidance throughout the hiring process.
• EndtoEnd Recruitment: Personally oversee recruitment processes from developing job descriptions to finalizing offers ensuring a seamless experience for both candidates and stakeholders.
• Market Insights: Continuously research and analyze market trends competitor activities and industry benchmarks to adapt strategies and stay competitive.
• Employer Branding: Partner with the marketing team to craft and execute impactful employer branding initiatives.
• Performance Metrics: Design and monitor KPIs to assess the effectiveness of talent acquisition efforts and implement improvements as needed.
• Process Improvement: Identify bottlenecks in recruitment workflows and proactively implement solutions for increased efficiency.
• Innovative Sourcing: Leverage advanced tools and platforms to attract specialized and technical talent while introducing new approaches to sourcing.
• Competency Evaluation: Conduct detailed competencybased assessments to match candidates to role requirements and provide actionable feedback to stakeholders.
• ATS Oversight: Ensure accurate and timely data entry and reporting through the applicant tracking system optimizing its use to enhance recruitment processes.
• Talent Pool Development: Build and maintain robust talent pipelines for critical roles and upcoming projects.
• Collaboration: Work closely with HR mobilization and visa teams to ensure a seamless onboarding process for new hires.
• Compliance: Ensure all recruitment activities align with local labor laws and organizational compliance standards.
• Additional Responsibilities: Take on other duties as assigned contributing to the broader success of the TA function.

Competencies/Skills:

• HandsOn Expertise: Skilled in actively managing all aspects of the recruitment process from sourcing to onboarding.
• Market Knowledge: Deep understanding of PMCM industry dynamics compensation trends and recruitment challenges in the Middle East.
• Collaboration: Proven ability to work across departments aligning recruitment efforts with business needs.
• Creativity and Innovation: Adept at developing and implementing unique sourcing and hiring strategies.
• DataDriven Approach: Skilled in analyzing recruitment metrics and using insights to refine strategies.
• Communication and Influence: Strong ability to engage with stakeholders at all levels and provide strategic recruitment advice.
• Relationship Building: Demonstrated success in fostering trust and collaboration with internal teams and external candidates.

Qualifications Experience Knowledge and Skills:

• Education: Bachelors degree in Human Resources Business Administration or a related field.
• Experience: 12 years of recruitment experience including leadership roles and direct involvement in technical hiring.
• Industry Knowledge: Extensive knowledge of the GCC/Middle East labor market and PMCM sector.
• Leadership: Proven ability to manage and develop highperforming recruitment teams.
• Technology Savvy: Proficient in using ATS platforms recruitment tools and HR technologies.
• Employer Branding: Experience driving initiatives to position the organization as an employer of choice.
• Ethical Integrity: Strong commitment to ethical practices personal accountability and professionalism.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to lead recruitment efforts in a challenging and dynamic environment.