Head of HR

Develop and execute the Group's HR strategy in alignment with organizational objectives and long-term growth plans. • Serve as a strategic HR advisor to the CEO and senior leadership team. • Lead workforce planning, organizational restructuring, succession planning, and talent development across all six branches. • Establish standardized HR policies, procedures, and performance management frameworks across the Group. • Provide data-driven recommendations to support executive-level workforce and organizational decisions. Talent Acquisition & Workforce Management • Oversee end-to-end recruitment strategies for academic, administrative, and leadership positions. • Develop effective talent acquisition, retention, and succession planning programs. • Ensure timely staffing and workforce readiness across all schools. • Oversee employee onboarding, contract management, renewals, and employee lifecycle processes. • Collaborate with school principals and department heads to identify staffing requirements and optimize workforce allocation. HR Governance, Compliance & Employee Relations • Ensure compliance with UAE Labour Law, ADEK requirements, and other applicable education-sector regulations. • Oversee employee relations, grievances, disciplinary procedures, and conflict resolution. • Maintain strong HR governance, confidentiality, and consistent policy implementation. • Supervise employee documentation, visa-related coordination, payroll administration, and statutory HR requirements. • Identify and mitigate HR-related legal, operational, and organizational risks. Performance Management & Organizational Development • Design and implement effective performance appraisal systems and measurable HR KPIs. • Establish employee engagement, professional development, and leadership development initiatives. • Strengthen employee accountability, productivity, and organizational culture. • Develop compensation and benefits strategies aligned with market competitiveness and financial sustainability. • Drive HR digitalization, HRMS/ERP optimization, automation, and process improvements. Leadership & Stakeholder Management • Lead, mentor, and develop HR teams across all six branches. • Collaborate closely with executive management, school principals, finance, operations, and other departments. • Present HR performance reports, workforce analytics, strategic recommendations, and organizational risk assessments to senior leadership. • Promote a professional, ethical, collaborative, and high-performance workplace culture across the Group. Requirements Qualifications & Experience • Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Management, or a related discipline. • Master's degree in HR Management, MBA, or professional HR certifications such as CIPD, SHRM-SCP, or SPHR are strongly preferred. • Minimum 12 years of progressive HR experience , including substantial experience in senior HR leadership positions. • Previous HR leadership experience within the UAE education sector, particularly in a school group or multi-campus environment, is essential. • Proven track record in strategic HR management, organizational development, workforce planning, and employee relations. • Strong working knowledge of UAE Labour Law, ADEK regulations, and education-sector HR compliance. • Demonstrated experience managing HR operations across multiple locations and diverse employee groups. • Strong knowledge of HRMS/ERP systems, HR analytics, compensation management, and performance management frameworks. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Arabic language proficiency is a strong advantage. The Ideal Candidate We are looking for a strategic HR leader, not simply an HR administrator u2014 someone who demonstrates: • Strong leadership capabilities with the confidence to make independent, well-informed HR decisions. • A proactive and solution-oriented approach to workforce and organizational challenges. • The ability to balance employee well-being, organizational effectiveness, and financial sustainability. • Exceptional interpersonal, negotiation, conflict resolution, and stakeholder-management skills. • The ability to introduce modern HR practices, challenge inefficient processes, and drive meaningful organizational transformation. • High standards of professionalism, integrity, confidentiality, and accountability.