Talent Acquisition Head (UAEN)

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute the overall talent acquisition strategy aligned with business objectives and Emiratization initiatives.

• Act as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on workforce planning, talent market trends, and hiring risks.

• Drive data-led decision making using recruitment metrics, dashboards, and forecasting models.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee end-to-end recruitment for all levels including senior leadership and critical roles.

• Ensure recruitment processes are efficient, scalable, and compliant with UAE labor laws and government regulations.

• Manage recruitment budgets, agency partnerships, and vendor performance.

Emiratization & National Talent Development

• Lead Emiratization hiring strategy, ensuring compliance with national targets and regulations.

• Build pipelines for UAE National talent through universities, government programs, and professional networks.

• Partner with L&D and HR to support career progression and retention of national talent.

Stakeholder & Team Management

• Lead, coach, and develop the talent acquisition team.

• Partner closely with business leaders to understand hiring needs and improve hiring manager capability.

• Maintain strong relationships with government entities, educational institutions, and external stakeholders.

Employer Branding & Market Presence

• Strengthen employer brand across digital platforms, career events, and national hiring initiatives.

• Represent the organization at career fairs, national forums, and industry events when required

Requirements

Mandatory

• UAE National (with valid family book)

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field

• 10+ years of progressive experience in talent acquisition, with at least 4–5 years in a leadership role

• Strong knowledge of UAE labor law, Emiratization frameworks, and local hiring practices

• Proven experience hiring at scale across multiple functions and seniority levels

Preferred

• Master’s degree or professional HR certification (CIPD, SHRM, etc.)

• Experience within large organizations, government entities, or regulated sectors

• Strong executive communication and stakeholder management skills

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and commercial acumen

• Leadership and people development

• Data-driven decision making

• Stakeholder influence and negotiation

• Deep understanding of the UAE talent market

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits aligned with national leadership roles

• Opportunity to shape national talent strategy at an organizational level

• High visibility and direct engagement with executive leadership