Assistant Manager, HR & Administration

About the role

X-Press Feeders is looking for an experienced HR & Administration Assistant Manager to lead the full spectrum of HR operations for its Dubai office. The role combines hands-on HR generalist work with day-to-day office administration, acting as a trusted adviser to local management and Group HR on employee relations, recruitment, payroll, compensation, performance management, disciplinary matters and employee exits. It reports to the Dubai Hub Director, with matrix reporting to the Group HR Director.

Key responsibilities

• Payroll, compensation and reporting: prepare monthly payroll inputs, validate them, support salary reviews and bonuses, and run HR and payroll reports and audits.
• HR operations and employee relations: handle grievances, investigations, discipline, performance concerns, absenteeism and exits, and keep employee records up to date in the HRIS.
• Recruitment and employee lifecycle: manage hiring, onboarding, contracts, work permits and visas, and offboarding.
• Office administration: supervise the admin support and receptionist, process invoices and expenses, arrange travel, manage facilities, vendors, government and PRO matters, the office tenancy (Ejari) and the office budget.
• Support expatriate employees with housing and tenancy matters, and train and set priorities for the admin support staff.

Required profile

• Minimum 7 years of progressive HR and office administration experience in the UAE; candidates with at least 3 years in a senior HR generalist and administration role may be considered at manager level.
• Demonstrated experience managing office administration in the UAE, including facilities, vendors, expenses and government/PRO processes.
• Strong knowledge of UAE employment legislation and practical experience with MOHRE, employment contracts, WPS, work permits, visas, disciplinary procedures and end-of-service settlements.
• Experience with workplace investigations, grievance handling, disciplinary processes and difficult conversations.
• Experience managing payroll inputs and controls, preferably with an external payroll provider.
• High integrity and discretion with confidential information; strong written and spoken English, with Arabic highly advantageous.

Required skills

• Workday or a comparable HRIS
• Microsoft Excel