Job Purpose
The Chief People Officer (CPO) is responsible for driving the People & Culture strategy across the organization and all its subsidiaries, aligning workforce initiatives with business objectives and organizational values. The role provides strategic leadership in talent management, organizational design, performance management, employee engagement, and compliance, ensuring that the people agenda supports a culture of excellence, innovation, and accountability. As a key member of the executive leadership team, the CPO serves as a trusted advisor to the CEO and senior management on all aspects of human capital development and transformation.
Key Responsibilities
1. Performance & Rewards Management:
- Design and oversee the Performance Management System (PMS) and KPI frameworks across departments
- Ensure implementation of SMART goals, quarterly performance reviews, and talent calibration
- Oversee compensation and benefits strategies, including annual salary structures, variable pay, and incentives, in coordination with the CFO
- Develop and implement a group-wide HR strategy aligned with business growth objectives and organizational values
- Establish a unified People & Culture framework across the organization and its subsidiaries, ensuring consistency in policies, compensation, and workforce planning
- Drive organizational transformation initiatives that foster a performance-driven and inclusive culture
- Design and draft comprehensive HR Standard Operating Procedures to streamline and document HR processes
- Create and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for each role, ensuring clarity and operational consistency
- Collaborate with department leads to understand workflows and translate them into efficient SOPs
- Drive job evaluation and role alignment across departments to eliminate inefficiencies and overlaps
- Lead the Talent Acquisition strategy for all entities, ensuring alignment with manpower budgets and business timelines
- Oversee recruitment governance, onboarding, and employer branding to position the organization as a preferred employer
- Drive workforce planning models based on business growth, attrition, and productivity forecasts
- Champion initiatives that promote engagement, inclusion, and well-being across all entities
- Drive structured Employee Engagement Surveys and translate insights into actionable plans
- Oversee grievance handling and disciplinary processes, and promote a culture of transparency and respect
- Champion initiatives that promote engagement, inclusion, and well-being across all entities
- Oversee the development, standardization, and periodic review of HR policies, ensuring alignment with UAE Labour Law and local authority regulations
- Ensure HR compliance across all entities for MOHRE, Emiratisation, and Free Zone frameworks
- Lead internal audits on HR processes, payroll governance, and visa administration
- Serve as the strategic HR partner to the CEO and executive team for all organizational matters
- Present periodic People & Culture reports to the Board, covering KPIs, succession, and workforce metrics
- Represent the company at leadership forums and employer branding events
Requirements
- Education & Qualifications: Master’s in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, or Organizational Development (Master’s preferred); Certification in HR (CIPD/SHRM) is an added advantage
- Experience: Minimum of 15+ years of HR lead experience with at least 5 years in a strategic leadership capacity, experience in driving employee engagement initiatives and organizational excellence programs, and prior experience in a dynamic or fast-paced environment
- Skills & Competencies: HRIS (Odoo or equivalent), Strategic Workforce Planning, HR Analytics, and familiarity with process mapping, workflow design, and project management tools
- Technological Proficiency: Proficiency in HR software and performance management systems, including knowledge of the Odoo system
- Personal Qualities: Visionary, ethical, empathetic, and results-driven
- Languages: Knowledge of the English language and one additional language
*Only applicants meeting the strict criteria outlined above will be contacted as part of the shortlisting process.