Head of HR Operations (HHR001)

Foreground is partnering with a large-scale diversified conglomerate based in Sharjah to appoint a seasoned and systems-oriented Head of HR Operations. This appointment comes at a pivotal stage in the companys internal transformation, as it aims to standardize and digitize its employee services model across multiple operating companies spanning logistics, retail, and light manufacturing.

Following our detailed briefing with the CHRO and Group COO, it is clear this is not a transactional HR role. The mandate is to rebuild the HR operations backbone introducing rigor, speed, and transparency across payroll, employee records, compliance, and HR service delivery. The company currently operates with semi-automated processes and fragmented reporting structures, and is seeking a senior leader to introduce structure without overcomplicating, while also building capability from the ground up.

Role Purpose

To lead the design, governance, and continuous improvement of all HR operational processes, with a focus on shared services efficiency, compliance alignment (especially UAE labor law), and employee lifecycle management. This role will serve as the operational cornerstone of the HR function and will play a critical role in enabling future HR digitization and analytics programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Rebuild and lead the HR Operations function with clear service delivery KPIs, escalation protocols, and audit-ready documentation.
• Oversee payroll processing (across 1,500+ employees), employee file management, visa and PRO services, end-of-service workflows, and benefits administration.
• Map and standardize the employee lifecycle across business units, ensuring consistency and compliance with UAE labor law.
• Collaborate with HRIS vendors and IT to select and implement a fit-for-purpose HR management system (HRMS), including process automation and employee self-service functions.
• Lead a small but growing HR Services team and upskill them toward a shared services model.
• Introduce structured SOPs, workflows, SLAs, and data reporting dashboards across all HR operational functions.
• Coordinate closely with legal, finance, and external auditors to ensure payroll governance, WPS compliance, and documentation integrity.
• Develop and maintain a single source of truth for HR records, ensuring data integrity for analytics and decision-making.
  
  
  

Ideal Candidate Profile

• 12+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership role overseeing HR operations, shared services, or employee services within the UAE.
• Experience working in complex, multi-entity environments ideally across logistics, trading, or industrial services sectors.
• Proven ability to implement or re-engineer HR systems and policies in organizations undergoing internal transformation.
• Bachelors degree in HR, Business Administration, or a related field; HR certification (CIPD, SHRM) preferred.
• Strong understanding of UAE labor regulations, visa processes, WPS, EOSB calculations, and documentation protocols.
• Excellent command of both operational discipline and employee service empathy capable of leading change while maintaining frontline trust.
  
  
  

Why This Role, Why Now

This is not a role for someone looking to inherit a polished HR machine, it is a role for a builder. The successful candidate will walk into a function that is operational but underdeveloped, and will have the trust of leadership to architect the next phase. The company is stable, well-financed, and ambitious about modernizing its HR infrastructure. With HR now sitting at the executive table, this is a rare opportunity to shape the future of employee experience and operational excellence across a regional group from the inside out.