HR Manager - UAE National

Industry: Real Estate DevelopmentNationality: UAE NationalReporting to: HR Director / Head of Human ResourcesAbout the RoleA leading real estate developer in the UAE is seeking an experienced and commercially minded HR Manager – Emirati to support its people strategy, strengthen employee relations, and ensure compliance with UAE Labour Law and applicable regulatory requirements.The successful candidate will act as a trusted HR business partner to business leaders, providing strategic and operational HR guidance while driving employee engagement, workplace effectiveness, and a culture of accountability and compliance. This role requires strong expertise in employee relations, HR policy development and implementation, workplace investigations, grievance management, and conflict resolution.Key Responsibilities1. HR Business PartneringPartner with business leaders and functional heads to align HR initiatives with business objectives and organisational priorities.Provide expert advice on people management, organisational effectiveness, workforce planning, performance management, and employee development.Support managers in addressing people-related challenges, managing performance concerns, and fostering a productive workplace.Translate business requirements into practical HR solutions that support organisational growth and operational efficiency.2. Employee Relations and Workplace InvestigationsManage complex employee relations matters, including disciplinary issues, employee grievances, misconduct allegations, and workplace conflicts.Conduct fair, confidential, and impartial workplace investigations, ensuring appropriate documentation, evidence gathering, and recommendations.Advise managers and employees on disciplinary procedures, grievance resolution, and appropriate corrective actions.Identify emerging employee relations risks and recommend proactive measures to minimise disputes and maintain a positive working environment.Ensure all employee relations cases are handled consistently, objectively, and in accordance with company policies and applicable UAE legislation.3. UAE Labour Law and HR ComplianceMaintain strong working knowledge of UAE Labour Law and its practical application across the employee lifecycle.Ensure HR practices, employment documentation, disciplinary processes, and employee separation procedures comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.Monitor changes in employment legislation and assess their implications for company policies, procedures, and business operations.Maintain accurate HR records and ensure appropriate controls, documentation, and audit readiness.Work with relevant internal stakeholders and external advisers on employment-related compliance matters, where required.4. HR Policy Development and ImplementationDraft, review, update, and implement HR policies, procedures, employee guidelines, and internal HR frameworks.Ensure policies are aligned with UAE Labour Law, organisational values, and business requirements.Establish clear and consistent procedures for employee conduct, disciplinary action, grievance handling, investigations, attendance, leave, and other HR matters.Communicate policy changes effectively and support managers in implementing policies consistently across the organisation.Review the effectiveness of existing policies and recommend improvements to strengthen governance, fairness, and operational efficiency.5. Employee Engagement and Workplace CultureDevelop and implement employee engagement initiatives that enhance employee satisfaction, motivation, retention, and organisational commitment.Support the development of a respectful, inclusive, and high-performance workplace culture.Coordinate employee feedback initiatives, engagement surveys, and action plans in collaboration with business leaders.Identify trends affecting morale, employee retention, and workplace relationships, and recommend appropriate interventions.Promote effective internal communication and employee participation in organisational initiatives.6. Grievance Handling and Conflict ResolutionAct as a point of escalation for sensitive employee concerns, workplace disputes, and interpersonal conflicts.Facilitate discussions between employees and managers to resolve issues constructively and professionally.Apply appropriate mediation, coaching, and conflict resolution techniques to address workplace concerns.Ensure grievances are investigated and resolved promptly, fairly, and confidentially.Maintain appropriate case records, monitor recurring issues, and recommend preventative measures.7. HR Governance and Continuous ImprovementEstablish and maintain robust HR processes, documentation standards, and internal controls.Monitor HR metrics relating to employee relations, grievances, disciplinary cases, engagement, and compliance.Prepare reports and recommendations for senior management on significant HR matters, emerging risks, and improvement opportunities.Drive continuous improvement in HR service delivery, manager capability, and employee experience.Qualifications and ExperienceMust be a UAE NationalBachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Law, or a related discipline.Typically 5–8 years of progressive HR experience, with substantial hands-on exposure to employee relations and HR operations.Demonstrable experience working with UAE Labour Law and employment compliance requirements.Proven experience in workplace investigations, grievance handling, disciplinary procedures, and conflict resolution.Strong track record in drafting, reviewing, and implementing HR policies and procedures.Experience in HR business partnering and advising managers and senior stakeholders on people-related matters.Experience developing or implementing employee engagement initiatives.Experience in real estate development, construction, engineering, or another complex, multi-functional business environment would be an advantage.Required Skills and CompetenciesStrong knowledge of UAE employment legislation and HR compliance.Excellent employee relations and workplace investigation skills.Sound judgement, discretion, and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters.Strong analytical, problem-solving, mediation, and conflict resolution capabilities.Excellent policy writing, report writing, and documentation skills.Effective stakeholder management and influencing skills.Ability to balance employee interests, business requirements, and legal obligations.Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all organisational levels.High levels of integrity, professionalism, accountability, and attention to detail.Proficiency in Microsoft Office and HR information systems.Key Success MeasuresPerformance in this role will be assessed against:Compliance with applicable UAE employment legislation and internal HR policies.Timely, consistent, and effective resolution of employee relations cases and grievances.Quality and effectiveness of workplace investigations and disciplinary processes.Successful development, implementation, and communication of HR policies.Improved employee engagement and effectiveness of engagement action plans.Increased manager confidence in handling people-related matters.Reduction in recurring employee relations issues and HR compliance risks.Candidate ProfileThe ideal candidate is a proactive, credible, and solutions-oriented HR professional who combines strong knowledge of UAE Labour Law with sound employee relations judgement and commercial awareness. They will be comfortable handling sensitive workplace matters, advising senior stakeholders, implementing HR policies, and building constructive relationships across a diverse workforce.They should demonstrate the confidence to challenge appropriately, the discretion to manage confidential matters, and the practical ability to turn HR policies and legal requirements into effective workplace practices.