Head of People & Strategy

Based at our Abu Dhabi headquarters and reporting directly to the CEO, the Head of People & Strategy brings strategic leadership, operational excellence, and a proactive approach to people management. He/She will lead and direct the routine functions of the Human Resources (HR) department, including hiring staff, administering pay, benefits, and leave, and enforcing company policies and practices.

The HR Manager will also work in close partnership with the CEO to collaborate on strategic objectives, ensuring the HR function is fully aligned with the organization's long-term vision and operational goals.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Alignment

• Partners with the leadership team to understand and execute the organizations human resource and talent strategy particularly as it relates to current and future talent needs, recruiting, retention, and succession planning.
• Works closely with the CEO and executive leadership to ensure consistent execution of organizational strategy, operational standards, and performance expectations across departments.
• Supports and oversees departmental leadership in executing responsibilities effectively, ensuring all teams operate in alignment with company policies, strategic goals, and executive directives.

Talent Acquisition & Global Mobility

• Manages the talent acquisition process, including recruitment, interviewing, and hiring of qualified job applicants; collaborates with departmental managers to understand skills and competencies required.
• Develops and implements standardized HR SOPs and recruitment frameworks to ensure consistency across global projects.
• Oversees HR Management and best practices of international teams and projects, including understanding local permit and visa requirements and forecasting human capital requirements for new market entries.

Performance Management & Staff Development

• Leads and manages the staff appraisal, performance assessment, and evaluation process across all departments, ensuring regular, structured performance reviews aligned with company objectives and values.
• Designs, implements, and oversees a comprehensive staff development program, focusing on continuous improvement, skills upliftment, and succession planning across operational and leadership levels.
• Coordinates practical, hands-on training sessions for staff, covering subject-matter areas directly related to the core business, operational excellence, animal care standards, compliance, safety, and professional conduct.

Culture & Employee Relations

• Actively contributes to culture building, fostering a sense of ownership, accountability, teamwork, and pride within the organisation, while promoting leadership development at all levels.
• Monitors and enhances organizational culture and brand reputation through structured engagement initiatives and feedback loops.
• Provides HR specialist support and guidance to management, and other staff when complex, specialized, and sensitive questions and issues arise.
• Oversees employee disciplinary meetings, terminations, and investigations.

Compensation, Finance & Administration

• Analyzes trends in compensation and benefits; researches and proposes competitive base and incentive pay programs.
• Oversees and supports the payroll function, in coordination with the administration & finance functions.
• Manages the HR budget, providing detailed financial projections for employee related expenses to ensure alignment with companywide financial goals.
• Maintains a strong focus on cost-conscious decision-making, actively reviewing HR-related and staff-related expenditures and identifying efficiencies.

Compliance & Systems

• Maintains compliance with MOHR, independent Emirates authorities and local employment laws and regulations.
• Oversees the administration of Bayzat (HRM), Asana (Project Management), and MS O365 (including SharePoint) to drive digital efficiency and data integrity.

QUALIFICATIONS

· Strong verbal and written communication skills. Fluent and high proficiency level in the English language is required.

· Minimum 8–10 years of progressive experience Human Resources.

· Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.

· Highly organized with strong attention to detail.

· Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

· Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate authority.

· Demonstrated integrity, professionalism, and ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

· Thorough knowledge of MOHRE employment-related laws and regulations of the UAE.

· Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, Asana, and SharePoint. Working experience with Cloud Based HR management solutions (Bayzat experience is an advantage).

Leadership qualities

· Ownership: takes full responsibility for outcomes and does not wait to be asked.

· Calm authority: makes clear decisions under pressure and holds people to account fairly and consistently.

· Evidence-based: backs positions with facts, records and documented agreements.

· People builder: develops managers, recognizes good work and creates an environment where people want to stay and grow.

· Trusted partner: discreet, loyal and transparent with the CEO; open and constructive with peers.

· Standards-driven: "Excellence is not what we aim for, it is how we work, how we lead, and how we support one another."

If you are interested please share your CV to learning.solutions@themissingmetric.com

All applications are treated in strict confidence.