HR Manager, Middle East

About the Role

As a key member of the Middle East People Team, you will help translate the business strategy into talent imperatives that promote profitable growth, engaged people, and strong client relationships. Operating across all six Middle East offices, you will engage with various client groups in both Legal and Business Services. Your main responsibilities include managing key HR processes throughout the employee lifecycle and working closely with the Head of HR – Middle East to fulfill operational and strategic priorities. You will collaborate with partners and business service leads to ensure optimal team performance and identify opportunities for initiatives that drive cultural change and engagement across the region.

You will also be responsible for the management and development of other team members, collaborating with the wider EMEA HR team and Centres of Expertise to advance global and regional people agendas through involvement in HR projects and programs.

Duties and Accountabilities

Stakeholder Management

• Provide input on HR issues and opportunities; design and implement high-impact solutions that align with business needs and global Firm strategy.
• Collaborate with the People team to ensure consistent communication of processes, tools, and policies to enhance client service, performance, and employee engagement.
• Work with partners to develop People solutions enabling sections and offices to achieve strategic goals.
• Coach and advise to anticipate and address people issues.
• Attend local Partner and Group meetings to ensure HR representation in the discussion agenda.
• Share best practices and insights across Middle East offices and teams.
• Maintain close relationships with associates through regular catch-ups and forums, acting on feedback as necessary.
• Foster close relationships with Business Services managers/leads.

Talent Management

• Assess resourcing needs regularly and collaborate with the resourcing team to meet these requirements.
• Ensure uniformity in attracting, managing, and developing talent to support current and future organizational needs.
• Oversee the Recruitment Authorisation process for relevant practice groups in the Middle East, ensuring prudent role requests.
• Manage effective onboarding for new joiners and business units.
• Coordinate secondments and overseas assignments with Global Mobility and Business Development.
• Regularly review the talent pipeline and take necessary actions regarding individual statuses.
• Emphasize diversity in all people-related decisions.

Employee Relations & Performance Management

• Advise on employee relations matters and apply policies and procedures commercially and practically. Conduct investigations and hearings as necessary.
• Support partners in managing underperformance and handle sensitive exits.
• Monitor headcount against budget and identify areas of underperformance.
• Participate in quarterly headcount management and people development reviews to ensure timely follow-ups and interventions.

Learning & Development

• Collaborate with the Senior Manager of L&D (EMEA) to deliver learning solutions that meet the development needs of the Middle East.
• In consultation with Partners and the HR team, prioritize attendees for programs and courses, and share available resources.
• Disseminate knowledge within the HR team, providing guidance to Partners and ensuring effective follow-up on learning outcomes.

Benefits

• Oversee locally provided benefits (medical, life) in coordination with the Global Benefits team, focusing on maximizing investment.
• Lead communication and education efforts around the benefits, partnering with providers to enhance user experience and reduce claims spend.
• Act as an escalation point for claims and other issues, ensuring thorough investigation.

Projects, Policies & Processes

• Contribute to and lead people policies and processes aligned with Middle East and Firm strategy and objectives, ensuring legal compliance and best practices.
• Drive participation in Firm-wide initiatives such as performance evaluations, engagement surveys, and exit interviews.
• Manage relationships with payroll to ensure timely processing of relevant forms and changes by the HR Coordinator monthly.
• Oversee DEWS file uploads for timely approval and payment processing.
• Participate in projects that enhance the Firm’s reputation as a global law firm and employer of choice.
• Utilize and promote the Firm's People tools, systems, and policies, ensuring effective engagement across the Firm.
• Guide Partners through the annual evaluation and compensation processes, ensuring consistency across the region.
• Lead the annual budget process for the region, ensuring the inclusion of essential developmental expenditures.
• Stay up-to-date with external HR trends and best practices.
• Manage a team of three members, guiding and coaching them for professional development and best practices.

Qualifications

• CIPD qualification (full or part) or equivalent is advantageous.
• Background in professional services; experience within a global law firm is preferred.

Skills / Experience

• Proven expertise in HR Business Partnering and HR Operations within a global law firm.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for building relationships at all levels with a client-focused mindset.
• Excellent commercial awareness and business acumen to address issues impacting Firm growth and success.
• High influence and persuasion skills.
• Experience managing HR team members at all levels and questioning existing procedures constructively.
• Background in managing complex Employee Relations cases.
• High integrity and ability to balance confidentiality with duty of care, acting with discretion.
• Effective time management and prioritization abilities to meet work deadlines under pressure.
• Self-motivated, able to work independently or collaboratively as part of a team.

Location and Reporting

• This role is based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, with regular travel to Dubai and other Middle East offices as necessary.
• Reports to the Head of HR – Middle East.

The Firm may modify and amend any job description at any time at its sole discretion. Nothing herein creates a contract of employment or modifies the at-will nature of employment. The above is a general description of essential duties associated with this position and does not constitute an exhaustive list of all responsibilities.