Arada| HR Operations Manager, Riyadh

Arada; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 180,000 - 340,000; Full time

Job summary

Arada is seeking a hands-on People Experience leader to run HR operations across Saudi Arabia. You will manage government relations, Saudisation metrics, and the full employee lifecycle while ensuring payroll accuracy and compliance with local regulations.

Reporting to PX Operations leadership, you will build processes from scratch, partner with country leaders, and ensure high standards of data privacy and regulatory compliance in a fast-growing organization.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of HR experience in Saudi Arabia, including ownership of government relations and lifecycle transactions.
• Hands-on with government platforms (Qiwa, Muqeem, Absher).
• Knowledge of Saudi Labour Law and local regulations.

Responsibilities

• Own HR government platforms for Saudi entities, with support from Group PX team.
• Track Saudisation bands and localisation, advising leaders on workforce plans.
• Run full employee lifecycle from screening to end-of-service calculations.
• Provide accurate monthly payroll inputs and maintain compliant records.

Skills

HR generalist experience

Bilingual English/Arabic

Government relations

Data/privacy / confidentiality

Analytical / reporting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field

CIPD or SHRM (nice to have)

Tools

Qiwa

Muqeem

Absher Business

GOSI

Nitaqat

Job description

About us

At Arada, we create communities that inspire healthier, happier and more meaningful lives. Through innovative developments, exceptional customer experiences and a commitment to sustainability, we are shaping places where people can live, work and thrive.

Joining Arada means becoming part of a collaborative, ambitious and forward-thinking team dedicated to delivering excellence across every aspect of our business.

Role Purpose:

You’ll be Arada’s first in-country People Experience hire in Saudi Arabia. You’ll run HR (PX) operations end to end for every Group entity in the Kingdom, covering government relations, Saudization, the employee lifecycle, payroll inputs and compliance. You’ll report to the Group Head of HR (PX) Operations and work closely with HR (PX) Business Partners and HR (PX) leadership. This is a hands-on role: you’ll build core processes from scratch and keep every entity compliant.

Key Responsibilities:

• Government relations: Own the HR government platforms for the Saudi entities, with support from the Group PRO team:

  • Qiwa for work permits, contracts and transfers

  • Muqeem and Absher Business for iqamas, exit/re-entry and final exit

  • GOSI for registrations, wage updates and work-in-jury reporting

  You’ll also be the entities’ point of contact with MHRSD and related authorities.

• Saudization: With the central PX team, track Nitaqat bands and profession-specific localisation. Model the impact of every hire and exit, and advise leaders on workforce plans that keep each entity compliant.

• Employee lifecycle: Run the full cycle:

  • Screening, offers and contracts that comply with Saudi Labour Law

  • Onboarding, probation, transfers and contract changes

  • Resignations, terminations, end-of-service calculations and exit clearance

• Payroll and records: Give Payroll accurate monthly inputs. Keep the Group PX system and employee files accurate, up to date and consistent with each other.

• Compliance:

  • Stay ahead of labour law changes.

  • Start renewals early for iqamas, work permits, passports and medical insurance.

  • Adapt Group policies into Saudi-compliant practice, and keep each entity’s work regulations and disciplinary schedule current.

• Partnering: Be the first-line PX partner for in-country leaders on employee relations, performance, discipline and grievances. Bring the people and compliance view into decisions early, and work with PXBPs so Group policies are followed.

• Providers and office set-up:

  • Hold in-country providers (medical insurance, recruitment, government services) to agreed service levels.

  • Support office set-up and management: facilities, workspace, equipment, access for new joiners, and visit visas for Group colleagues.

• Reporting: Report monthly on headcount, Saudization, permits and compliance risks. Flag slow or rework-prone processes. Handle all employee data in line with the Saudi Personal Data Protection Law.

• Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

• Working hours: 40 hours per week

What you’ll bring:

• Saudi nationality (this role is open to Saudi nationals only)

• 6+ years of HR experience in Saudi Arabia, including hands-on ownership of government relations and lifecycle transactions

• Current, practical experience with Qiwa, Muqeem, Absher Business, GOSI and Nitaqat, including resolving exceptions and violations

• Working knowledge of the Saudi Labour Law and its implementing regulations

• Experience advising line managers directly as an HR generalist or business partner, ideally in a new or fast-growing entity

• Fluent Arabic and English, written and spoken

• A self-directed approach and comfort building from a blank page, with sound judgement on when to escape

• Discretion with confidential data, and an understanding of local data residency rules

• A bachelor’s degree in HR, business or a related field

Nice to have

• Office set-up experience

• Experience with multi-entity structures

• A background in real estate, construction, hospitality or fitness

• Darwinbox or SAP SuccessFactors experience

• CIPD, SHRM or equivalent

Using GenAI in Your Application Process

To support a fair and consistent experience for all candidates, we ask that assessments and interviews are completed independently and without assistance from generative AI tools. This ensures we understand your strengths, your thinking, and how you approach real situations.

Why join Arada?

At Arada, you'll have the opportunity to contribute to projects that transform communities while working alongside talented professionals in a culture that values innovation, collaboration and continuous growth. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and make a meaningful impact.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Arada is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and make employment decisions based on merit, experience and business needs.