HR and People Director

About the role

An established organisation with operations across the UAE and international markets is recruiting an experienced HR and People Director in Dubai. The role leads the people strategy across multiple countries, introduces scalable HR frameworks and builds career development pathways that support both individual growth and business performance. It works closely with senior leadership to build a high-performing, engaged workforce, with a focus on talent development, succession planning and long-term retention.

Key responsibilities

• Shape and deliver the people strategy across the UAE and international operations, developing scalable HR frameworks, policies and processes.
• Build career development programmes with structured learning, development and progression pathways.
• Drive succession planning and internal talent development, including individual development plans and frameworks for retention and internal mobility.
• Improve engagement and retention through initiatives, performance frameworks and incentive programmes suited to a multi-generational workforce.
• Partner with senior leadership on organisational design, workforce planning, change management and high-performing teams.
• Strengthen HR operations and governance across markets, overseeing compensation and benefits, employee relations, regulatory compliance, HR systems, budgets and vendor relationships, and use people analytics to measure effectiveness.

Required profile

• Extensive experience in a senior HR leadership role, ideally in a large-scale or multinational organisation.
• Proven experience leading HR activities across multiple countries or regions, adapting to local employment regulations, cultures and business environments.
• Experience in modern, progressive organisations with collaborative leadership and relatively flat structures.
• Strong track record in employee development frameworks, including career progression, leadership development, succession planning and retention initiatives.
• Demonstrable experience building engagement and performance programmes that appeal to different generations.

Required skills

• Understanding of HR governance, compensation frameworks and HR systems.
• People analytics and the ability to influence executive stakeholders and lead organisational change.

What we offer

• A competitive executive remuneration package reflecting the seniority and strategic importance of the position.
• The chance to shape the international people agenda and make a measurable impact on employee development and retention.
• Close collaboration with executive leadership on organisational structure, culture, performance and succession planning.

Interested candidates are invited to contact the recruiter for a confidential discussion; applications are made through the executive search team.