Director - Employee Relations Policy And Governance

About the role

The Director will lead group‑wide employee relations governance and policy transformation for a diversified enterprise operating across multiple sectors in the UAE. This senior position serves as the escalation point for complex, high‑risk employee relations cases and partners with senior leadership on workforce risk and organisational change.

Key responsibilities

• Act as the senior escalation point for complex, sensitive and high‑risk employee relations cases.
• Lead employee relations governance across multiple business entities, ensuring consistency, compliance and best practice.
• Develop, write, implement and enforce group‑wide people policies and governance frameworks.
• Provide expert guidance on investigations, grievances, disciplinary matters and organisational risk.
• Partner with senior leadership on workforce‑related risk, organisational change and transformation initiatives, including automation and AI‑enabled HR programmes.
• Establish robust reporting, controls, escalation processes and case‑management frameworks while influencing senior stakeholders.

Required profile

• Significant experience in employee relations, governance, compliance and policy development.
• Proven background managing sensitive investigations, grievances, disciplinary processes and complex escalations.
• Strong understanding of employment law and regulatory compliance; legal qualifications advantageous.
• Experience operating in complex, matrixed or multi‑entity environments, preferably in the UAE or GCC.
• Professional HR qualifications such as CIPD, SHRM or equivalent are advantageous.