HR Manager - Generalist & Compliance

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced HR Manager to lead our human resources and administration function in the UAE. You will own the full employee lifecycle, from recruitment of white-collar and blue-collar staff to onboarding, payroll coordination, employee relations, training and compliance. The ideal candidate is a hands-on generalist who can balance day-to-day HR operations with strategic initiatives that improve retention, engagement and performance.

Key Responsibilities

Talent Acquisition

• Manage end-to-end recruitment for professional and workforce roles: sourcing, job postings, CV screening, interviews, selection and offers.

• Partner with hiring managers and project heads to forecast manpower needs and plan hiring around project and seasonal demand.

• Build employer-brand and sourcing strategies to attract and retain quality talent.

HR Operations & Documentation

• Oversee employee visa processing and HR documentation, including passports, Emirates IDs, visas, labour contracts and employee files.

• Manage employee onboarding: joining reports, NDAs, profile creation and registration in the ERP/HRIS and biometric systems.

• Administer leave and attendance records through Oracle ERP and time-tracking systems, ensuring data accuracy and coordinating with payroll.

• Manage medical insurance and Workmen Compensation Insurance (WCI), including additions, deletions, endorsements, renewals and claims coordination.

Payroll & Compensation

• Coordinate monthly payroll with Finance, ensuring accuracy, compliance and timely salary disbursement.

• Support compensation structures, benefits packages and market benchmarking.

Employee Relations & Engagement

• Serve as the first point of contact for employee requests, grievances and welfare matters.

• Handle disciplinary processes and documentation fairly and in line with UAE labour law.

• Lead engagement, recognition and wellness initiatives that improve morale, reduce absenteeism and strengthen retention.

Performance Management

• Implement and monitor performance review systems, goal setting and recognition and reward frameworks.

• Support performance improvement plans, coaching interventions and succession planning.

Training & Development

• Coordinate training and safety programmes, including safety inductions, toolbox talks and supervisor development.

• Conduct training needs assessments and deliver or arrange leadership and skills programmes.

Compliance & Audit

• Ensure full compliance with UAE labour law, company policies and regulatory requirements.

• Review, update and enforce HR policies and procedures.

• Support ISO and other audits by maintaining records, preparing evidence and liaising with auditors.

HR Analytics & Reporting

• Track and report on turnover, absenteeism, headcount, hiring metrics and other HR KPIs.

• Use data to recommend and implement improvements to HR processes.

Qualifications & Experience

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration or a related field; a Master's degree in HRM is an advantage.

• 8+ years of progressive HR experience, including at least 3 years in the UAE or GCC.

• Strong working knowledge of UAE labour law, visa and Emirates ID processes, WPS and insurance requirements.

• Proven experience in end-to-end recruitment for both white-collar and blue-collar workforces.

• Hands-on experience with ERP/HRIS systems (Oracle ERP preferred) and payroll coordination.

• Experience supporting ISO or similar compliance audits.

Preferred

• Professional HR qualification (e.g. CIPD, IPM or equivalent).

• Experience in construction, contracting, facilities management, FMCG, BPO or similar high-volume industries.

• Background in counselling or employee well-being support.

• Experience leading cross-functional HR and administration teams.

Skills & Competencies

• HR generalist expertise across operations, talent, engagement and employee relations

• Compliance and labour law knowledge

• HRIS and ERP database management

• Performance management and HR analytics

• Strong communication, conflict resolution and stakeholder management

• Leadership, coaching and team-building

• High attention to detail and confidentiality

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, multicultural environment