Human Resources Manager

Job Description – HR ManagerLocation: Abu Dhabi, UAEDepartment: Human ResourcesReports To: Managing Director / Senior ManagementEmployment Type: Full-TimeJob PurposeWe are seeking an experienced and commercially focused HR Manager to lead the Human Resources function for a project-driven industrial services organization operating across Oil & Gas, Energy, Power, Engineering, Maintenance, Shutdown and Turnaround projects.The HR Manager will act as a strategic HR Business Partner to senior management and Operations, ensuring the organization has the right people, capabilities, workforce structure and HR processes to support business growth and operational delivery.The role will have strong responsibility for HR operations, workforce planning, recruitment, manpower mobilization, employee relations, Emiratization, performance management, talent development, HR compliance and workforce cost optimization.Key Responsibilities1. HR Business PartneringPartner with senior management, Operations, Project Managers and Department Heads on all people-related matters.Translate business and operational requirements into effective HR strategies and workforce plans.Provide HR support across engineering, maintenance, construction, shutdown/turnaround and project operations.Advise management on organizational structure, workforce requirements, employee relations and HR policies.Support business growth, restructuring, organizational development and cost optimization initiatives.2. Workforce Planning & Manpower ManagementDevelop annual and project-specific manpower plans in coordination with Operations and Project Management.Forecast manpower requirements based on project awards, mobilization schedules, shutdowns and workload.Maintain talent pipelines for critical technical, engineering and operational positions.Monitor headcount, manpower utilization, vacancies, mobilization and demobilization.Develop succession and contingency plans for critical positions.Identify opportunities to optimize permanent, project and contract workforce structures.3. Recruitment & Talent AcquisitionLead recruitment strategies for corporate, engineering, technical, supervisory and site-based positions.Work closely with Talent Acquisition teams to ensure timely sourcing and deployment of manpower.Build strong candidate pipelines for Oil & Gas, Maintenance, Engineering and Turnaround positions.Support high-volume and urgent recruitment requirements during project mobilization and shutdown periods.Develop talent pools for frequently required positions.Monitor recruitment KPIs including time-to-fill, cost-per-hire, offer acceptance and mobilization timelines.4. Project Mobilization & DemobilizationLead the HR component of new project mobilization.Coordinate recruitment, HR administration, visa, onboarding and site requirements.Ensure manpower is mobilized within agreed project timelines.Establish HR processes and workforce structures before project commencement.Manage workforce demobilization and redeployment following project completion.Identify opportunities to retain and redeploy high-performing employees across projects.5. Employee RelationsManage employee relations across corporate, project and site environments.Advise managers on disciplinary, grievance, performance and employee conduct matters.Investigate employee complaints and workplace issues fairly and confidentially.Develop initiatives to improve employee engagement and retention.Monitor employee turnover and identify root causes of attrition.Maintain a positive, professional and performance-driven work environment.6. UAE Labour Law & HR ComplianceEnsure HR practices comply with applicable UAE Labour Laws and regulations.Maintain compliance relating to employment contracts, working hours, leave, termination and disciplinary procedures.Maintain accurate employee records and documentation.Ensure compliance with company HR policies and corporate standards.Monitor changes in UAE employment regulations and recommend necessary policy updates.7. Emiratization & Local Talent DevelopmentDevelop and implement the organization's Emiratization strategy.Monitor Emiratization targets and compliance requirements.Build relationships with UAE universities, colleges and local talent initiatives.Develop internship, graduate and early-career programs.Identify suitable UAE nationals for engineering, technical, corporate and operational roles.Establish career development and succession plans for Emirati employees.8. Performance ManagementLead the annual performance management process.Ensure employees and managers understand KPIs and performance expectations.Coach managers on performance evaluation and performance improvement plans.Identify high performers and critical talent.Support succession planning for key management and technical positions.Promote a performance-driven culture aligned with business objectives.9. Learning & DevelopmentConduct training needs analysis across the organization.Develop annual training plans aligned with business and operational requirements.Ensure technical, leadership, behavioural and mandatory training requirements are addressed.Develop competency frameworks and competency matrices for critical positions.Support career development and succession planning.Monitor training effectiveness and business impact.10. Compensation & BenefitsSupport salary benchmarking and compensation reviews.Ensure internal equity and market competitiveness.Manage annual salary review and promotion processes.Provide management with compensation recommendations for new hires and critical positions.Monitor workforce costs and identify opportunities for optimization.Coordinate with Finance to ensure accurate and timely payroll processes.11. HR Analytics & ReportingDevelop and maintain HR dashboards covering:Headcount and manpower utilizationRecruitment and time-to-fillAttrition and retentionAbsenteeismEmployee costProject manpower requirementsEmiratizationTraining and competencyOvertimeEmployee relationsWorkforce productivityProvide regular HR reports and actionable recommendations to senior management.12. HR Process ImprovementEnsure effective utilization of HRIS and digital HR systems.Improve HR processes through automation and standardization.Develop and maintain HR policies, procedures and SOPs.Establish standardized HR processes for projects and site operations.Identify opportunities to improve HR service delivery and reduce administrative workload.13. Site & Industrial Workforce HRProvide HR leadership and support to site-based and operational employees.Maintain regular interaction with project sites and site management.Support major shutdowns, turnarounds and manpower ramp-ups.Address workforce grievances, disciplinary matters and employee engagement issues.Ensure HR services are available during critical project execution periods.Understand the unique HR requirements of industrial and site-based environments.14. Stakeholder ManagementBuild strong working relationships with:Senior ManagementOperationsProject ManagementSite ManagementFinanceHSELegalProcurementAdministrationRecruitment / Talent AcquisitionRegional / Corporate HREmployees and workforce representativesKey Performance IndicatorsThe HR Manager will be measured against:Workforce availability for projectsCritical position vacancy rateRecruitment turnaround timeProject mobilization readinessEmployee turnover and retentionManpower cost optimizationEmiratization performanceEmployee engagementAbsenteeismTraining and competency complianceHR complianceEmployee relations resolution timeHR service delivery and stakeholder satisfactionQualificationsBachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Management or a related discipline.Master's degree / MBA in HR is preferred.Professional HR qualification such as CIPD, SHRM or equivalent is advantageous.Experience10–15+ years of progressive HR experience, preferably within Oil & Gas, EPC, Engineering, Industrial Services, Maintenance, Power or Construction.Minimum 5 years in an HR Manager, HR Business Partner or HR Lead position.Strong experience supporting operational and project-based organizations.Experience managing both corporate and blue-collar/site-based workforce environments.Experience in shutdown, turnaround, maintenance or large project mobilization is highly desirable.Strong knowledge of UAE Labour Law and HR compliance.Proven experience in manpower planning and workforce optimization.Experience managing Emiratization initiatives.GCC experience is preferred.Preferred Industry BackgroundCandidates from the following sectors will be preferred:Oil & GasEPC / Engineering & ConstructionIndustrial MaintenancePlant MaintenancePower & UtilitiesPetrochemicalShutdown & TurnaroundIndustrial ServicesEnergy ServicesCore CompetenciesWorkforce PlanningManpower BudgetingTalent AcquisitionEmployee RelationsUAE Labour LawEmiratizationPerformance ManagementCompensation & BenefitsLearning & DevelopmentHR AnalyticsHRISOrganizational DevelopmentProject MobilizationIndustrial / Site HRSuccession PlanningLeadership CompetenciesStrong commercial and operational orientationStrategic thinking with hands-on execution capabilityExcellent stakeholder managementStrong negotiation and conflict-resolution skillsData-driven decision makingHigh integrity and confidentialityStrong communication and influencing skillsAbility to work in a multicultural environmentResilience in a fast-paced project environmentStrong problem-solving and decision-making skills