Ali Albar

Provide high-level advisory and consulting services on complex HR, leadership, and organizatonal effectiveness challenges across Saudi organizatons. Partner with local and international consulting firms to design and implement strategic HR solutions, governance frameworks, and talent development programs.

Led the HR function for Raytheon Saudi Arabia, a high-complexity defense and aerospace environment requiring rigorous governance, regulatory compliance, and strategic workforce alignment. Managed HR budgets, payroll governance, data privacy, compensation frameworks, and workforce planning while ensuring compliance with local laws and regulations as well as company global standards. Moreover, acted as a member of the country leadership team, business continuity team, crisis management team, and presented at every
board meeting.
• Partnered with executive leadership to develop Saudi workforce strategies increasing Saudization from 40% to 65% within four years.
• Played a key role in launching a cybersecurity joint venture between Raytheon and Saudi Aramco, supporting its transition from concept to a fully operational standalone entity.
• Led the integration of multiple program-based teams into a unified legal entity and cohesive
organizational structure.
• Revamped compensation and benefits frameworks, which along with employee engagement initiative, contributed to a reduction in employ attrition (staff turnover) from 10% to 2% annually.
• Worked on enhancing governance for HR operation, talent development. And supported the overall roll out of the new code of conduct, ethics, and compliance for Raytheon Saudi Arabia. Also supported in cascading the framework to contractors and suppliers in Saudi Arabia.
• Contributed to global initiatives of Human Capital Management (HCM) System which started with SAP SuccessFactors and moved to Workday system implementation. This was followed by leveraging AI tools to streamline HR processes and improve operational efficiency.

Directed HR operations for a workforce of 1, 600 employees across four cities, and 6 subsidiaries - a multi-entity structure requiring centralized governance, standardized policy frameworks, and rigorous controls. Drove HR transformation, talent acquisition, workforce planning, employee engagement, and people performance initiatives aligned with business growth and operational excellence.

• Led HR operations for 1, 600 employees across multiple subsidiaries and locations, implementing centralized HR governance, centralized payroll and performance management, enhanced compliance, and shared services structures.
• Developed HR policies, KPIs, and five-year workforce plans supporting organizational growth and operational efficiency.
• Led the implementation of Oracle Fusion HCM from planning, data migration, training and creating the discipline of system utilization and reporting.
• Oversaw payroll operations, HR financial planning, compensation benchmarking, and workforce cost forecasting aligned with budgets, and supported the efforts for receiving board approvals.
• Enhanced talent acquisition and Saudization initiatives, increasing Saudi workforce representation from 28% to 35%.
• Successfully filled executive roles with both Saudis and non-Saudis through rigorous selection process including assessments and structured interviews.
• Led government requirements including visas, licenses, and regulatory requirements across multiple ministries.

Operated as a Partner at Ward Howell International, a globally recognized leadership advisory and executive search firm, providing consultancy, and executive headhunting services for clients across multiple sectors in Saudi Arabia and the region.
• Advised client organizations on executive talent strategy, leadership assessment, and senior-level succession planning.
• Conducted high-level executive search mandates, identifying and placing C-suite and senior leadership profiles across sectors.

Led end-to-end human resources operations, including talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, workforce planning, and organizational development to support business growth and operational excellence. Served as strategic HR partner to the Country CEO and leadership team, supporting Shell's corporate office and six major joint ventures in Saudi Arabia. Also served as a member of the country leadership team, contract board, crisis management team, and supported JV board meetings.

• Developed and executed workforce strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Managed HR budgets and provided financial analysis in support of workforce planning, compensation benchmarking, and cost optimization.
• Improved employee engagement and staff survey outcomes through targeted organizational development initiatives.
• Supported the mobilization (ramp up) of a gas exploration project with around 200 employees, from hiring to onboarding and logistics support. After several years worked on the demobilization (ramp down) when the project proved unfeasible., while supporting employees to find other opportunities.
• Contributed to the design and implementation of INTILAQA, Shell's corporate social responsibility program providing entrepreneurship training and support for Saudi youth.
• Ensured governance and compliance across all joint venture HR activities, navigating complex multi-partner regulatory environments.