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Abla Hafez, Head of Human Capital & Workplace Services

Abla Hafez

Head of Human Capital & Workplace Services ·GII LLC

United Arab Emirates

Bachelor's degree, Management

Work experience

Total years of experience: 18 years, 9 months

Head of Human Capital & Workplace Services

November 2023 - Present

GII LLC

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

November 2023 - Present

I walked into a holding company with $4.5 billion in assets and an HR function that needed reinforcement!

Within 90 days, I had redefined the team, formalised every job description, and presented a governance framework to the Co-Founders.

Eighteen months later, we've implemented Odoo across the employee lifecycle, developed 16+ policies with Legal and Internal Audit, and I'm managing payroll for 100+ employees across three countries.

I also took on dual leadership of Administration and Workplace Services — because when you're building, you don't stop at your job title.
Company industry:
Financial Services
Job role:
Human Resources and Recruitment

Associate HR Manager

January 2022 - May 2023

Buro Happold

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

January 2022 - May 2023

I joined as Buro Happold was delivering the Museum of the Future — one of the most complex engineering projects ever built in Dubai.

My role was to keep 200 people across UAE and KSA engaged, compliant, and performing while the pressure was on.

We maintained 5% turnover in a competitive market.
I handled international mobility hires from the USA and UK, managed sensitive investigations including a harassment case that escalated to external legal counsel, and partnered with Global HRSS on digitising our onboarding and probation workflows.
Company industry:
General Engineering Consultancy
Job role:
Human Resources and Recruitment

HRBP

July 2021 - January 2022

SIG

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

July 2021 - January 2022

SIG brought me in for one thing: fix the job architecture.
The company had 350 employees across four countries with no standardised grading structure.

I led the full WTW job grading project — developed 30 job descriptions, mapped every role to grade bands, and presented the methodology to regional leadership via Teams sessions co-led with Global HR.

Six months, four countries, one consistent framework.

I also recruited the Head of Commercial replacement and managed a tragic employee relations case involving a Covid-related death during business travel.
Company industry:
Manufacturing
Job role:
Human Resources and Recruitment

Owner And Managing Director

January 2019 - July 2020

Tender Years Nursery

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

I found this job using Bayt.com

January 2019 - July 2020

Owned my own business which was severely impacted by Covid-19pandemic, so it was closed down in July 2021.
Company industry:
Preschool, Nursery, & Daycare
Job role:
Human Resources and Recruitment

HR Manager

January 2015 - July 2018

KPMG LG

United Arab Emirates

January 2015 - July 2018

Performance Management & Engagement
Maternity Break
Performance Management - UAE and Oman
• Managed the Performance Management System for the Lower Gulf
region partnering with business leaders in forming and cascading
firmwide goals and targets.
• Managed the performance cycle; communication, reporting and
completion/trend analysis.
• Developed thought leadership content to drive compliance and build
knowledge.
• Delivered targeted training on the performance methodology to manager
and non-manger groups.
• Managed the 360 Degree Feedback process for the Lower Gulf region.
Company industry:
Accounting
Job role:
Human Resources and Recruitment

HR Manager

July 2011 - January 2014

Wrigley ME

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

July 2011 - January 2014

Maternity Break
• Co-Piloted the mission, vision, and operational roadmap.
• Managed, updated, and developed policies procedures.
• Managed and deployed annual training calendars post TNA.
• Managed the recruitment process for MENA region.
• Managed and drove the Performance Management system and process.
• Championed, communicated, designed, and deployed events to re-enforce
the MARS Culture, the 5 Principles, the Essence of MARS and the
Engagement signature programs.
• Managed the MENA regional payroll, bonus schemes, annual merit and
other payouts.
• Partnered with departmental leaders on the execution of promotions and
role changes
• Deployed the MENA, West Africa and Iran regions’ Global MARS online
Performance Management System and Leadership Competency Model.
• Achieved target of 5 days training per associate for the entire MENA region.
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• Achieved 98% completion rate for Jordan’s associates in completing the
Essence of MARS training.
• Centralized the Jordan merchandising team to the Wrigley Global
Commission scheme and salary process.
Company industry:
FMCG
Job role:
Human Resources and Recruitment

Senior HR Executive

June 2010 - July 2011

flydubai

United Arab Emirates

June 2010 - July 2011

Conducted new joiners’ inductions for cabin crew, pilots, and office-based
employees.
• Organized first aid and firefighting trainings to align with OHSE regulations.
• Developed an evacuation policy and procedure
• Managed disciplinary processes (misconduct and performance related).
Company industry:
Airlines
Job role:
Human Resources and Recruitment

HR Generalist

March 2009 - February 2010

EMCDELL

United Arab Emirates

March 2009 - February 2010

Managed the recruitment process (Turkey, Europe, Africa, and Middle
East)
• Produced talent acquisition analytics reports
• Conducted Training Need Analysis with line managers and training
providers to create a training calendar for career progression.
• Supported with promotions, merits, and cross-functional transfers.
Company industry:
IT Services
Job role:
Human Resources and Recruitment

HR Officer

February 2005 - April 2008

Nestlé M.E

United Arab Emirates

February 2005 - April 2008

Supported with the implementation, communication, and registration
process for the annual training calendar.
4 | Page
• Conceptualized, designed, and managed the execution of the Management
Trainee Program.
• Liaised with the assessment center in running assessment days for
potential staff promotions and consolidating assessment data for Board
Meetings relating to promotions, career progression and succession
roadmaps.
• Supported with the administration of the Performance Management and
Development Guide cycle.
• Assisted with developing and circulating internal policies and guidelines.
• Managing Editor of the quarterly Nestle Newsletter magazine.
• Managed and executed Nestlé Family Day, corporate meetings and VIP
dinners and employee engagement programs.
Company industry:
FMCG
Job role:
Human Resources and Recruitment

HR Projects Officer

December 2003 - December 2004

Johnson & Johnson M.E

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

December 2003 - December 2004

Supported in the Process Excellence Assessment Program
• Supported in the launch of the new Global Standards of Leadership
(behavioral competency model).
• Supported in the deployment of the 360 Degrees Feedback survey.
• Identified Relocation and Orientation providers
• Assisted in the search, screening and interviewing of potential candidates
• Supported the HR team in career events and workshops.
• Supported Line Managers and employees in completing performance plans
and identifying training courses as per the firm’s competency models.
• Designed a ‘New Hires Welcome Pack’ for new employees.
• Deployed the global J&J online e-University tool to all employee
• Deigned a newsletter for Johnson & Johnson Medical ME division.
• Researched and supported in the design of a New Performance Appraisal
Tool (online portal tool).
Company industry:
FMCG
Job role:
Human Resources and Recruitment

Education

American University

January 2002

January 2002

Bachelor's degree, Management

United Arab Emirates

courses: Diploma in

Dubai International High School

January 1997

January 1997

High school or equivalent, High School

United Arab Emirates

–

Skills

Employee Relations
Expert
Employee Relations
Expert
Compensation and Benefits
Expert
Compensation and Benefits
Expert
Coaching
Expert
Coaching
Expert
Training
Expert
Training
Expert
Performance Management
Expert
Performance Management
Expert
LEADERSHIP
Expert
LEADERSHIP
Expert
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT
Expert
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT
Expert
POLICY ANALYSIS
Expert
POLICY ANALYSIS
Expert
PROCESS ENGINEERING
Expert
PROCESS ENGINEERING
Expert
RECRUITING
Expert
RECRUITING
Expert
CONTENT MANAGEMENT
Expert
CONTENT MANAGEMENT
Expert
CONTRACT MANAGEMENT
Expert
CONTRACT MANAGEMENT
Expert
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT
Expert
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT
Expert
FIRST AID
Expert
FIRST AID
Expert
FREELANCE GRAPHICS
Expert
FREELANCE GRAPHICS
Expert
Employee Relations
Expert
Employee Relations
Expert
Compensation and Benefits
Expert
Compensation and Benefits
Expert
Coaching
Expert
Coaching
Expert
Training
Expert
Training
Expert

Languages

Arabic

Expert

English

Expert

Memberships

CIPD

CIPD Level 5

January 2024

Training and Certifications

Certifications
CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management (ADPM)
Jan 2025
Show credentials

Hobbies and interests

Reading, Traveling, Painting/Handwork/Fashion