UAE National | Automotive | Head of HR

Job Requisition ID: 179261

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and healthcare; employing more than 35,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, Al-Futtaim Group partners with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands. Al-Futtaim Group’s entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enables the organisation to continue to grow and expand; responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate.

By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration and integrity; Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each and every day.

Overview Of The Role:

• The Head of HR serves as a strategic advisor to senior line management, ensuring alignment with business strategy and operating model for optimal performance. This role involves planning and implementing HR strategies across the Automotive division to enhance performance, diversity, and compliance with company policies. Responsible for HR management of a large automotive business unit, the role necessitates capability development, organizational restructuring, and employee engagement to drive business success.
What You Will Do:

Organisational Development

• Create a HR strategy and annual HR Plan with senior management and communicate it effectively across the HR Function and Business Units.
• Support a continuous improvement environment for HR activities within the Business Units.
• Ensure new employees are properly inducted and develop succession plans and retention strategies for key talent.
• Develop and execute learning and development plans to equip individuals with necessary skills.
• Formulate and implement performance management plans to improve performance or facilitate exit.
• Monitor performance management processes and safeguard promotion processes.
• Ensure SMART objectives are set for employees.

Training & Development

• Specify training initiatives required to support the business and liaise with Group Training Department to deliver them.
• Ensure training needs of key and high potential staff are identified and met.
• Ensure all key positions have identified successors.
• Develop annual training plans and organize regular organizational charts updates.
• Conduct regular TDC meetings and annual people reviews.

Employee Relations

• Manage ER issues within the business units and support line managers in creating a culture of employee engagement based on Al Futtaim Way values.
• Reinforce a culture of meritocracy, performance-focus, and diversity.
• Advise line managers to educate them and minimize risk, ensuring compliance with local law and Group policy.
• Communicate and implement changes to HR policies and procedures.
• Ensure disciplinary procedure is properly applied before any employee exit.

Business Partnering

• Act as a trusted business partner and coach to senior management.
• Consult and support line managers across the business units.
• Focus on measuring and improving employee engagement.
• Advise, coach, and mentor management and HR team on people-related issues.
• Act as change agent and facilitate transitions.

Workforce Optimisation

• Advise on creating and managing a lean and multi-skilled workforce.
• Support and facilitate business structure reorganisation and consolidation to achieve efficiency.
• Communicate organizational messages and monitor feedback within business units.
• Ensure compliance with localization policy and targets.
• Improve business unit productivity with necessary actions.

Financial Management

• Provide regular financial reporting of employee costs to line management.
• Conduct annual manpower budgeting exercises accurately.
• Manage HR Department budget and ensure HR Team adherence to financial systems and processes.
• Monitor incentives payouts and manage manpower performance, focusing on performance vs. budget.
• Communicate consistent metric reporting to management teams monthly.
• Attend board and financial meetings.

HR Policy

• Ensure HR policy compliance and review to strengthen internal controls and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and other requirements.
• Maintain focus on Emiratization and reinforce diversification goals.
• Educate staff about policies and procedures.
• Address policy breaches promptly and decisively.
• Safeguard Emirati-only positions.

Required Skills To Be Successful:

• Change Management
• Organisational Development
• Leadership Development
• Human Capital Metrics
What Qualifies You For The Role:

• Professional qualification in Human Resources or Business Management, or a First Degree.
• Minimum of 10 years HR experience, preferably in a leadership role such as Head of HR or HRBP within large multinational organizations.
• Exposure to Middle Eastern market and dynamic best practice operating models.
• Skills in Change Management, Organisational Development, Leadership Development, Performance/Compensation Management, Recruitment & Selection, Employee Relations, Mentoring/Coaching.
• Expertise in Human Capital Metrics and strong analytical, financial modeling, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Behavioral competencies such as achievement orientation, strategic thinking, solution orientation, and teamwork.
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