Manager - People & Culture (Cluster) - Aldar Education

Role Overview

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Related industry qualification at graduate level for the assigned functional areas.
• Recognized HR qualification or professional subscription such as CIPD is desirable.
• At least five years of experience in HR or recruitment is required.
• Education industry experience is essential.

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of UAE Labour Law and ADEK or KHDA compliance requirements is required.
• Advanced computer skills include Microsoft 365 and ERP systems such as Oracle, SAP, or MS Dynamics.
• Strong organisational, prioritisation, multitasking, and pressure-management skills are required.
• Fluency in English is required, while Arabic is an advantage.
• An organised, detail-oriented, and proactive approach is required.

Core Duties

• Act as the lead HR business partner for multiple campuses.
• Provide strategic and operational HR support across the employee lifecycle.
• Lead workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, and retention strategies.
• Guide school leaders on employee relations, performance enablement, and policy implementation.
• Ensure compliance with UAE Labour Law, ADEK regulations, and organisational policies.
• Manage HR systems, data accuracy, reporting, and compliance documentation.

Strategic HR and Talent

• Design people strategies with school leadership and advise Principals on workforce challenges, resourcing, and succession planning.
• Represent assigned campuses in cluster-wide and group-wide People & Culture initiatives and audits.
• Lead end-to-end recruitment, safer recruitment practices, interviews, and approvals.
• Manage onboarding journeys, including pre-arrival communication, ADEK passes, visas, induction, and system access.

Performance and Employee Relations

• Coordinate probation reviews and performance appraisal cycles in line with policy.
• Support Principals with performance concerns and align job descriptions with competency frameworks.
• Track professional development and training activity.
• Lead confidential investigations and advise on disciplinary matters, grievances, and conduct concerns.
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee relations records and trackers.

HR Operations and Reporting

• Oversee time and attendance, leave, staff files, system updates, contracts, renewals, letters, exits, settlements, and clearance documentation.
• Maintain organisation charts and staffing reports across campuses.
• Monitor HR KPIs including turnover, absence, Emiratization, recruitment activity, and compliance rates.
• Provide scheduled and ad hoc reports to headquarters People & Culture and senior leadership teams.

Engagement and Inclusion

• Drive engagement through feedback channels, recognition initiatives, and inclusion programmes.
• Partner with senior leadership teams to address staff wellbeing and morale.
• Support implementation of the organisation's diversity and inclusion agenda.

Safeguarding and Employment Conditions