Rola Zeidan, Regional Human Resources Manager, MENA Region

Rola Zeidan

Regional Human Resources Manager, MENA Region

MENACOM GROUP

Location
United Arab Emirates - Dubai
Education
Bachelor's degree, Business Studies- Management
Experience
14 years, 10 months

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Work Experience

Total years of experience :14 years, 10 months

Regional Human Resources Manager, MENA Region at MENACOM GROUP
  • United Arab Emirates - Dubai
  • June 2010 to October 2015

Menacom Group, Media City, Dubai- UAE ▪ 2010-2015
Part of WPP and Y&R Brands Menacom Group is leading marketing communications, public relations, media planning/buying and digital interactive conglomerate. With low employee turnover rates and over 1, 200 employees, it operates in 17 countries with more than 57 offices across the Middle East, North Africa (MENA) and Levant region.

HR Programs & Best Practices - Transformed previously disorganized, underperforming HR department, into a well-functioning, cost effective and highly utilized entity - 40% improvement in service scores over prior year’s employee survey data. Worked closely with business managers on creating a proactive approach & direction for the business + establishing KPIs. Ensured compliance with WPP internal policies, on boarding & exiting procedures for 57 offices.

▪Staff Recruitment - Reduced recruitment/ agency fees by revamping recruitment strategies and bringing function in-house. recruitment for top clients within the group such as Telecommunication- Nokia, FMCG-Coca Cola, Technology- Microsoft and many others…

▪Employee Benefits - Redesigned and negotiated benefits with senior management to realign with market conditions.

▪Training Programs -Decreased annual training costs by extensive in-house front-line staff and manager training. Provided additional consultancy support in determining learning & development approaches. Enhanced and implemented the Performance Development system and competency mapping following the WPP standards - annual practice. Handled Talent Management, retention & rewards, employee relations and satisfaction surveys.
▪Compensation/ Salary Structure - Increased morale and saved on operations and salary expenses by conducting thorough and extensive job description -salary analysis adjusting salary grade structure to reflect industry standards.

▪HR Information Systems -Implemented, integrated and maximized usage of new HRIS system. Brought project lower than estimated budget and dramatically improved efficiency of the HR functions. Developed HR system processes & talent retention plans that were implemented across the group.

STAFFING ANALYST- TALENT ACQUISITION at BAKER HUGHES - (Contractual)
  • United Arab Emirates - Dubai
  • December 2009 to February 2010

12.2009 - 02.2010 Dubai BAKER HUGHES - (Contractual)

Headquartered in Houston, BH is the world's third-largest oilfield services company providing oil & gas industry operating in over 90 countries worldwide with 57, 000-plus employees.

STAFFING ANALYST/ TALENT ACQUISITION at HSBC
  • United Arab Emirates - Dubai
  • September 2009 to September 2009

On Contractual Basis

HSBC Bank Middle East Ltd is both the world's largest banking group and the world's 6th largest company. UAE has16 branches and is the firm's head office with a MENA headcount of 12, 000 employees.

HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST at IMPACT BBDO
  • United Arab Emirates
  • May 2008 to April 2009

HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST
05.2008 - 04.2009 Dubai (made redundant due to the financial crisis) IMPACT BBDO

Part of the world's largest marketing communication group - OMNICOM ranking amongst the top three international networks in the region with approximately 400 employees in the headquarters in Dubai and a low employee turnover rate.

HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST- Impact BBDO, Plus, IPN, Proximity & Pentamark

▪Selection & Recruitment -Successfully staffed & sustained corporate growth for main & sister companies - Conducted comprehensive executive search and selection -created an internal database & set a proper employee document filing system for the whole group.
▪Learning & Development -Involved in Performance & Talent MGT: individual promotions & career development plans, upgraded operating procedures & participated in Leadership development programs.
▪Retention -Consolidated feedback forms to enhance internal processes - Retained talent by 60% despite the crisis which resulted in increased performance.

Human Resources Executive – Learning & Development - Recruitment at Nestle middle east
  • United Arab Emirates - Dubai
  • July 2006 to April 2008

A fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) Swiss Company covering 13 countries within the Levant and Gulf area, with 1700 employees around the Middle East Market. It is the world’s largest food company with 280, 000 employees and over 140 years of history.

▪High-tech hiring -Recruited all levels of employees -handled expatriation - Organized land logistics for transferees within ME market -Local & External hires - Decreased recruitment costs by 80% by re-designing and activating careers database.

▪Performance Management - Met with line managers to discuss promotions, poor performers & technical training needs to enhance performance. Consolidated data and generated reports.
▪Training & Development -Developed the annual training calendar for the head office & ME market Engaged in Employee surveys, suggestion schemes, succession planning forums & “Validation Board” meetings. Conceptualized and successfully led change management programs. Selected potential employees for the Graduate program through participating in University Career Fairs.

ASSISTANT OPERATIONS MANAGER - HEAD OF REGISTRATION & ADMISSIONS at Educational Services Overseas Limited
  • United Arab Emirates - Dubai
  • December 2004 to June 2006

Founded in 1990, Educational Services Overseas Limited (ESOL), is an organization specialized in the establishment and management of American and British international schools in the Mediterranean, Near East and South Asia regions with over 2000 employees.

ASSISTANT OPERATIONS MANAGER - HEAD OF REGISTRATION & ADMISSIONS

Responsibilities
* Set the policies and procedures for the opening of both the British and American schools
* Consulted/ Tested all potential candidates and advised walk in parents
* Supported Senior managers/owners with statistics & business related reports & projects

Achievements
* Increased profit for the year by enrolling around 500 students
* Established HR & admin software systems & simplified processes

ADMISSIONS & ENROLLMENT COORDINATOR at AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN DUBAI
  • United Arab Emirates - Dubai
  • May 2002 to November 2004

The American University in Dubai is a private, non-sectarian institution of higher learning founded in 1995 with around 300 employees (faculty & staff).

ADMISSIONS & ENROLLMENT COORDINATOR

Responsibilities
 Represented the university in different educational events and career fairs-locally & regionally
 Enrolled students - undergraduate & masters (Member of the MBA committee)

Achievements
 Recommended an internal filing system that helped cut down on office space
 Increased enrollment by 60% after active participation in school fairs

Business Development - Hospitality at SHERATON CORAL BEACH & HOLIDAY INN
  • Lebanon - Beirut
  • December 1999 to December 2001

Sheraton & Holiday Inn are leading international hotel chains with branches worldwide extending their hospitality services through many employees that exceed 2000 in Lebanon only.

Business Development - Hospitality
12.1999 - 12.2001 Beirut SHERATON CORAL BEACH & HOLIDAY INN

GUEST SERVICE AGENT -Member of the pre - opening team

Responsibilities
* Ensured guest satisfaction through proper hospitality channels
* Handled all front desk & reservations activities + reports

Achievements
* Increased room revenue by 70% at the opening
* Established relations with tour operators to bring in groups - full occupancy monthly

Education

Bachelor's degree, Business Studies- Management
  • at Lebanese American University
  • January 1999

Fall 1998 - 1999 Beirut Lebanese American University - L.A.U Degree: Bachelor of Science in Business Studies- Management

High school or equivalent,
  • at American Community School
  • June 1994

Summer 1994 Beirut American Community School - A.C.S Degree: High School Diploma

Specialties & Skills

Talent Selection
Staff Retention
Staff Training
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
CLIENTS
Dealing with Grey areas
Negotiation & communication
Employee relations
Dual Focus -Employee & Managment
Organization & multitasking
Performance appraisals
Conflict management & problem solving
Change management
Recruitment & Talent Acquisition
Performance Reviews
HUMAN RESOURCES
Discrete & Ethical

Languages

Arabic
Expert
English
Expert

Memberships

Lebanese American University
  • Alumni
  • January 1999
American Community School
  • Alumni
  • June 1994

Training and Certifications

Leadership workshop (Training)
Training Institute:
Sheraton Coral Beach Hotel & Resort
Date Attended:
October 2001
Breakthrough to Peak Performance (Training)
Training Institute:
Nestle Middle East
Date Attended:
April 2007
Selected employee of the month (Training)
Training Institute:
Sheraton Hotel and Resort
Date Attended:
October 2000
Practical Interviewing skills for effective recruitment & selection (Training)
Training Institute:
Nestle Middle East
Date Attended:
September 2007
Mind Mapping (Training)
Training Institute:
Nestle Middle East
Date Attended:
July 2006
Change Management Workshop (Training)
Training Institute:
Nestle Middle East
Date Attended:
July 2006

Hobbies

  • Reading articles- medical, new trends in business, general information, volunteer work
    Active member at the community service club 1994 -Beirut Lebanon @ the American Community School - managed to serve groups in fund raising for charity and environment/ ecology preservation to go green.