People Operations Manager

Overview

Role Overview

• The People Operations Manager serves as the operational backbone of the People & Culture function.
• You will lead and oversee all people operations activities — including payroll, compliance, employee lifecycle management, policy governance, and employee relations — ensuring efficient service delivery, precision, and full alignment with UAE Labour Law and company policies.
• You will act as the primary operational advisor to managers and employees, driving consistency, process improvement, and service excellence.
• This role focuses on delivering a seamless, compliant, and positive employee experience from hire to exit.
• Key Responsibilities* **Lead People Operations Function:** Own and lead the end-to-end People Operations function; serve as the main point of contact for all operational HR matters; develop standards, procedures, and internal controls; drive operational excellence and continuous improvement across all People processes.
• **Ensure Compliance & Governance:** Guarantee full adherence to UAE Labour Law, MOHRE regulations, and company policies; manage investigations, grievances, disciplinary actions, and terminations in a fair and legally compliant manner; maintain accurate employment records and statutory filings; coordinate with PROs and government bodies; and conduct regular compliance audits and policy updates.
• **Manage Payroll & Compensation Administration:** Oversee monthly payroll processing ensuring accuracy and timeliness; resolve payroll queries promptly; and support annual salary reviews and compensation activities.
• **Oversee Employee Lifecycle Management:** Lead all stages of the employment journey — from offer issuance, contract management, and onboarding through promotions, transfers, and offboarding; administer probation reviews, confirmations, leave, attendance, and visa/work permit processes; and ensure accurate, timely updates to employee records and systems.
• **Enhance Onboarding & Offboarding:** Design, coordinate, and continuously improve onboarding processes to deliver a positive first experience; manage all pre-employment and induction activities; oversee resignations, terminations, and final settlements; conduct and analyze exit interviews to identify trends; and implement improvements to boost retention and engagement.
• **Lead Employee Relations:** Act as the primary point of contact for employee relations matters; support managers in resolving conflicts, performance issues, and workplace concerns; and ensure all cases are handled confidentially, consistently, and in line with legal requirements.

Core Skills

• Strong communication, influence, and stakeholder management
• Critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Ability to build strong business partnerships
• Adaptability, resilience, and sound professional judgment

Technical Skills

• HRIS administration and system management
• Advanced Excel, operational reporting, and dashboard management
• Process mapping, documentation, and workflow design
• Data analysis and record integrity
• Policy development, implementation, and governance

Requirements

• **Education**: Bachelor’s in HR, Business Administration, or related field; CIPD Level 5+, SHRM certification, or Master’s degree highly preferred.
• **Experience**: 7–10+ years of progressive HR experience, including minimum 3 years in a senior role; proven track record in the Dubai market. Strong advantage if background is in property, real estate, asset/facilities/owners association management, or professional services.
• **Regulatory Expertise**: Deep knowledge of UAE Labour Law, MOHRE regulations, Dubai government frameworks, immigration procedures, and local HR practices.
• **Core Functional Skills**: Proficient across HR Operations, Employee Relations, Payroll, Compliance, Recruitment, Compensation & Benefits, and Performance Management.
• **Soft & Technical Skills**: Excellent written/spoken English; Arabic proficiency is a plus. Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills; highly organized, detail-oriented, and effective at managing competing priorities in fast-paced environments. Skilled in HR software and MS Office suite.