Associate Director, HR (UAEN)

This Position is Open for UAEN Applicants Only. Job Purpose: To lead the development and delivery of the DFSA's performance management, succession, Emiratisation and organisational development agenda, providing strategic and operational leadership across organisational capability, succession planning, UAEN development, and related HR initiatives.The role supports the Head of HR in translating the HR strategy into measurable programmes that strengthen performance, build critical capability, support retention and succession and enable the DFSA to meet its current and future workforce requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy and Functional Leadership Contribute to the development of the HR strategy and annual business plan, with ownership of performance management, succession planning, Emiratisation and organisational development priorities, ensuring alignment with the DFSA strategy and workforce requirements. Provide strategic advice to the Head of HR and senior stakeholders on performance management, organisational capability, succession, talent pipelines and UAEN development. Translate strategic priorities into clear annual plans, measures, governance arrangements and management information, and monitor progress against agreed outcomes. Performance Management Lead the ongoing development and implementation of the DFSA performance management framework, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives, values and expected behaviours. Oversee the annual performance management cycle, including objective setting, mid-year and year-end reviews, moderation and calibration, ensuring consistency, fairness and timely completion across the organisation. Partner with senior leaders and people managers to strengthen performance standards, address performance gaps and promote meaningful, evidence-based performance conversations. Use performance outcomes and trends to inform succession planning, talent decisions, organisational development priorities and workforce capability requirements. Review and continuously improve performance management policies, processes, guidance and systems, ensuring effective governance and a positive employee and manager experience. Emiratisation and UAEN Development Lead the development and delivery of the DFSA Emiratisation strategy and annual action plan, ensuring alignment with workforce plans and organisational priorities. Oversee UAEN development programmes, including graduate, internship, scholarship, leadership and accelerated development pathways, ensuring clear selection, development and progression outcomes. Partner with recruitment colleagues and business leaders to identify positions suitable for UAEN talent, build sustainable pipelines and support the achievement of approved Emiratisation objectives. Oversee outreach and partnerships with universities, government entities, professional bodies and relevant networks to strengthen the DFSA employer brand and attract high-potential UAEN. Establish appropriate governance, performance reviews and development support for programme participants, coaches, mentors and line managers, and address delivery risks or barriers promptly. Provide regular analysis and reporting on attraction, appointment, development, progression and retention trends for UAEN, with recommendations for improvement. Organisational Development & Succession Lead the design and implementation of integrated talent and succession frameworks covering succession planning, career development, high-potential identification and workforce capability. Partner with senior leaders to identify critical roles, assess succession strength and agree targeted actions that strengthen organisational resilience and business continuity. Maintain and evolve organisational competency and capability frameworks, ensuring appropriate integration with recruitment, performance management, succession and career pathways. Lead approved organisational development and culture initiatives that improve leadership effectiveness, collaboration, employee experience and organisational performance.Eligibility Criteria:Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, Organisational Development, Psychology, Education or a relevant discipline. Professional qualification in HR, learning and development, coaching or a related field is desirable. Minimum Experience:A minimum of 10 years' relevant HR experience, with substantial experience in performance management, succession planning, organisational development and/or Emiratisation.Demonstrated experience leading complex learning, leadership, graduate or UAEN development programmes and managing senior stakeholders. Experience in a regulated, financial services, government or similarly complex environment is desirable. Prior people management and budget responsibility is required. Knowledge, Skills & Attributes:Strong knowledge of performance management, leadership development, succession planning and capability frameworks. Strong understanding of Emiratisation and UAEN attraction, development, progression and retention practices. Ability to translate organisational strategy and workforce requirements into pragmatic, measurable people programmes. Excellent stakeholder management, influencing, facilitation, coaching and presentation skills. Strong analytical capability, with the ability to interpret workforce and programme data and develop clear insights and recommendations. Sound commercial judgement, including vendor management, budgeting and assessment of value for money. High standards of integrity, discretion, accountability and professional judgement. Proactive, collaborative and results oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver through others.