Vice President - HR Business Partner

RAK BANK; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial institution in the United Arab Emirates is seeking a Vice President – HR Business Partner to align people strategy with business priorities. The ideal candidate will have 10–15 years of HR experience, with a strong understanding of UAE labor law, and proven capabilities in strategic HR partnering and organizational transformation. This is a high-level role that requires a strategic thinker who can drive employee engagement and manage HR functions effectively.

Qualifications

• 10–15 years of progressive HR experience, with at least 3 years in a senior HRBP leadership role.
• Experience in banking, financial services, or related regulated industries.
• Strong knowledge of UAE labour law and GCC HR practices.

Responsibilities

• Act as a strategic partner to senior leaders, ensuring alignment of people practices with business objectives.
• Lead organisational design and change management initiatives.
• Drive employee engagement and oversee employee lifecycle management.

Skills

Strategic Thinking

Stakeholder Management

Problem Solving

Leadership & Collaboration

Data-Driven Decision Making

Cultural Awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or Business Administration

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

The Vice President – HR Business Partner will act as a trusted advisor to senior business leaders, and collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, HR Centres of Excellence (Talent Acquisition, Performance & Rewards, Employee Relations, HR Operations, Emiratisation, People Transformation), external regulators, and Division Heads. This role will play a pivotal part in aligning people strategy with business priorities, driving a high-performance culture, and enabling workforce transformation.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Act as a strategic partner to senior leaders, ensuring alignment of people practices with business objectives.
• Lead organisational design, change management, and workforce planning to support business growth and agility.
• Drive employee engagement initiatives, shaping culture and embedding values of customer-centricity, accountability, and innovation.
• Oversee employee lifecycle management, including talent acquisition, onboarding, performance, development, retention, and succession planning.
• Monitor and manage manpower budgets, ensuring cost effectiveness while meeting talent needs.
• Partner with the Emiratisation team to champion nationalisation development and career mobility.
• Provide coaching and advisory support to senior executives on HR matters, employee relations, and leadership effectiveness.
• Ensure compliance with UAE Central Bank regulations, labour law, and international HR best practices.
• Leverage HR analytics and workforce insights to influence decisions and address business challenges.

What We’re Looking For

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Experience: 10–15 years of progressive HR experience, with at least 3 years in a senior HRBP leadership role within banking or financial services.
• Proven experience in strategic HR partnering, organisational design, and transformation projects.
• Strong background in UAE labour law, GCC HR practices, and financial services regulations.
• Industry Exposure: Banking, Financial Services, or related highly regulated industries.

Skills

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to translate business goals into impactful people strategies.
• Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to influence at executive and board levels.
• Problem Solving: Strong capability in managing complex workforce challenges with pragmatic solutions.
• Leadership & Collaboration: Experience leading HRBP teams and working in matrix structures.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Skilled in HR analytics, workforce planning, and predictive insights.
• Cultural Awareness: Adept at navigating diverse, multicultural environments within the UAE and GCC.