Director of Human Resources
Dubai Opera
Total years of experience :23 years, 8 Months
• Managing a team of 10+ project and contingency recruiters
• Focusing on business development and client relationships
• Developing the team, ensuring a legacy is in place, training and promoting key team players to lead the team and work towards the role of Divisional Manager
• Managed the largest team in the business, grew the business as a fresh Divisional Manager, and delivered the highest results in the business for Q1 2014 under challenging circumstances
• Advised, supported and assisted the Director in positively changing the work environment, to work towards being the employer of choice in the UAE and improve employee retention, motivation and performance
• Developed excellent business relationships with Country Managers, business leaders and all employees, changing perception and trust; improved employee relationship with HR and increased motivation through personal learning and development counselling
• Created a sales assessment process, set up negotiated contracts for online sales assessments, with stakeholder support rolled out one to one competency based sales assessments; provided analysis to Country Managers and business leaders, individual feedback on skills gaps and learning and development opportunities to all participants
• Successfully negotiated an improved and cost effective medical, life and other employee/business related insurances using professional network referral of tested and tried local insurers
• Gained feedback on HR performance through an HR Survey to benchmark performance, develop an HR strategy and improve communications and perception of the department for 2012 onwards
• Audited HR files, set up employee master data, created employee document based and electronic files, improved department accuracy, response time and service; substantially reduced lost cash from incomplete PRO processes and un-refunded visa deposits
• Supported business managers by visits to Bahrain, Jeddah - KSA, Cairo - Egypt and Johannesburg - South Africa as well as the UAE
• Created a 2 year HR strategy for the Middle East region, with input from employees and the business heads; identified gaps for immediate priorities, and long term solutions
• Developed a 2 year training plan, supporting UK initiatives as well as local requirements; rolled out company-wide Appraisal Training across the Middle East, for managers and employees resulting in 98% satisfaction with the first training workshop
• Set up HR department, successfully recruited the company’s first native Arabic speaker for the role of HR Generalist
• Diversified through the recruitment of five native Arabic speakers in the positions of Employee Benefits Doctor, Reception, IT Assistant, Lean Practitioner and HR Generalist
• Significantly reduced recruitment costs through creative searches for candidates including use of Linkedin.com, Expatwoman.com and other local internet, network and job search sites, including recruitment for KSA Nationals at short notice to meet SAMA requirements
• Commenced best practice process for annual salary review, promotions and bonus payments across the Middle East
• Reporting to Regional HR Director Middle East, managing 14 employees, including Business Group HR Business Partners. Responsible for Middle East HR Operations.
• Developed and implemented Middle East HR Policies including Sickness Absence, Annual Leave, Flexible working hours, Disciplinary, Capability and Redundancy, including best practice for every process
• Managed overall Middle East redundancy process implementation with HR Business Partners
• Delivered people management elements for the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) accredited Leadership Development Programme cohort in the Middle East
• Successfully implemented efficient PRO processes, through coaching team members and restructuring, which impacted positively across the business and reducing costs
• Delivered ILM training and workshops on policies to develop HR team and senior managers to implement policies effectively
• Implemented Middle East salary review process and trained managers on its application and provided compensation and benefits analysis comparison between UAE emirates and Qatar
• Ensured participation from all Middle East business units, including Pakistan, resulting in raised awareness for the UK Group Board of Directors
• Implemented HRIS Cordis system across Middle East compliant to UK and Middle East local laws
• Reporting to Group VP HR and Group Finance Director, managing 7 employees - HR Officer, Senior Administrator, Receptionist, Drivers, Office Assistant and PRO. Responsible for HR including Recruitment, Training, Compensation, Benefits and Rewards, Employee Relations, Legal Compliance, HR Projects
• Senior HR in Head Office in the absence of a VP HR for seven months
• HR Core Team Leader for company HRIS/ERP Project, creating, developing and planning implementation of HRIS project locally
• Implemented Head Office and UAE Recruitment Strategy- Policy and Procedure; managed recruitment process ensuring a fair process for internal and external applications.
• Researched and implemented global and local recruitment sources, including negotiation of agreement with high level universities, internet websites, and identified trade publications related to the Fosroc business; developed relationships with local recruitment companies to attract the best candidate in the market.
• Delivered training on recruitment and performance management to support business strategy
• Prepared analysis of data for various projects such as compensation and benefits, recruitment expenditure, headcount, turnover, developed report formats with focus on the company strategic mission
• Administered medical insurance and Life Insurance, as well as BUPA Medical Scheme with UK contact for globally placed regional reports; negotiated new Broker to improve efficiency and customer service, as well as reducing costs
• Managed the reception and administration, including visit visa applications, flights and accommodation, and all aspects of real estate management; project managed office moves and fit-outs, renovations, negotiating with suppliers and contractors, ensuring cost effectiveness; negotiated and completed tenancy contracts
• Managed office facilities supplier contracts and services. Member of Group HSE Committee, Fire Warden/Emergency Evacuation Team and Global Crisis Management Team
• Reporting to the CEO/Owner, managing 4 employees - Training & Development Manager, HR Officer, HR Administrator and PRO
• Developed and implemented an annual recruitment plan and recruitment procedure; negotiated with overseas candidates regarding remuneration and orientation to Dubai and the company
• Mentored the T&D Manager, overseeing annual and ad hoc training and development plan; delivered orientation and performance management training
• Developed HR policies and procedures; implemented best practice specifically for performance management, reward management, job grading and evaluation
• Reporting to Recruitment Manager, in a team of 5 for the Human Resources Group Services Departments. Initially recruited for all Emirates departments, managed all grade recruitment for DNATA Agencies and associated airlines
• Liaised with Line Managers regarding vacancy requirements, in accordance with budget and authorisation level; involved in recommendations and negotiations up to senior management
• Completed recruitment process from beginning to end including use of competency based interviews, psychometric assessments, assessment centres, role plays and presentations
• Reporting to the General Manager, an Executive Committee member, managing a team of 10 staff, including a Training Manager, Housing Supervisor and Staff Nurse. Employing 600+ staff, carrying out Manager on Duty shifts
• Responsible for the hotel’s HR Business Strategy, introducing HR & Training as a business partner to the hotel and regionally
• Managed the Training and Development, including employee induction, one to one training and counselling as well as group activities, corporate and hotel activities
• Coordinated management and activities of Staff Housing Transport and Cafeteria, re-introducing staff committee’s to encourage employee feedback
• Reporting to the General Manager and Vice President of Operations, a member of the Senior Executive Committee, and a Duty Manager, 3 departmental staff, advisory for 430 employees, “On call’’ Duty Manager, Health and Safety Chairperson
• Set up resort human resources department and trained new staff, an Administrator, Secretary and Personnel Manager, to understand all aspects of HR department and role within the resort, giving responsibility to make decisions, use initiative and manage change
• Developed and delivered an orientation programme, and set up ideas for an employee handbook to increase employee understanding of resort rules and procedures, including work and personal life
• Reporting to the General Manager of 10 hotels across the Midlands, and a Cluster HR Manager, with a team of Health & Safety Officers and HR/Payroll Administrators
• Actively contributed to the successful team refurbishment programme 4* 188-bed roomed Leicester City, 145 employees hotel, to ‘Number 1’ in the UK for guest satisfaction, Health and Safety and company audits
• Reduced staff turnover in 1 year from 36% to 26%, by promoting succession planning, conducting training needs analysis and implementing and delivering local training, and recruiting 65% of managers internally
