Deputy Head of HR (Operations)
Al Tamimi & Company
Total years of experience :20 years, 3 Months
A management role with key contribution to the successful strategic, HR, operational, financial and administrative development of the HR department. Lead the operations team (2 HR Officers and 2 PROs), in addition to design, deliver, and manage the full range of operational and HR policies, procedures and services within the firm.
• Draft new policies and ensure that the firm's existing HR polices are updated to meet the firm's changing needs and the industry's best practice while ensuring that they comply with the laws in the relevant countries of practice.
• Involvement in the overall strategic HR organisation and development of the firm.
• Provide support and guidance to managers and employees on performance management, grievance and disciplinary procedures, and compliance with employment legislation.
• Provide legal consultation to partners and senior management in relation to labour laws in UAE, DIFC, and GCC countries in addition to Iraq, Jordan and Egypt. Research and advise on labour and residency laws for other countries.
• Mange and coordinate salary increases with HODs, HOOs and the Remuneration Committee.
• Provide advice on Grads, Salaries & Benefits.
• Provide the partners and senior management with quarterly HR Management Report.
• Delivered training and support to develop good office management skills, and best practices for day-to-day HR and operational administration matters.
• Drafted the managers’ operations manual and a comprehensive employee handbook and provided guidance on the key issues, policies and practices of the firm.
• Drafted HR procedures handbook.
The role had a specific focus on HR management and operational support to the growth of the firm from 5 to over 10 offices across the Arabic Gulf region and the Middle East.
Responsibilities and Key Achievements
• Overall responsibility for manpower planning and management, recruitment, selection and orientation of employees.
• Drafted the departmental employee handbook, and provided training and guidance on key points, new policies, internal processes and relevant legislation.
• Significant participation in the development and implementation of a competency-based PDR programme and provided coaching for managers on conducting effective reviews and feedback.
• Conducted employee engagement surveys to identify improvements and to promote a high level of employee engagement, motivation and morale.
• Participated in performance management, grievance and disciplinary meetings to assist in making the appropriate decisions and to advise managers on next steps.
• Reported HR KPIs to Managing Partner, GM and to other members of Senior Management.
• Supervised and completed all checks for monthly payroll run.
• Oversee and ensured a high level of communication and cooperation between the HR Operations team members and the colleagues from other departments and offices within the firm, as well as third parties from outside the firm.
• Lead a project to replace the existing HR Information System (20 new HR systems were identified in the market).
A senior-level role, part of a management team with responsibility for an HR operations for over 400 employees across several offices within the UAE and the Arabic Gulf region delivering high-volume systemised HR operations services. This diverse role included responsibility for the management of the HR operations functions and management of several HR functions.
Responsibilities and Key Achievements
• Key participation in manpower planning, recruitment, interviewing and selection of employees, with particular emphasis on managing talent and succession planning, hiring and promotion.
• Established and led a team of 2 HR Coordinators to provide the HR support for the ongoing growth of the department.
• Utilised employees’ skills, recognising and developing talent and potential though effective delegation, coaching and mentoring to enhance their management skills.
• Monitored the PDR programme, provided guidance and training to team leaders in conducting effective reviews, identifying training needs, communicating praise and giving constructive criticism.
• Followed up training and development, sourcing internal and external training provision to assist employees to gain the relevant knowledge and skills to become effective at their jobs, to motivate, and to reduce risk.
• Measured and followed up employee attitude and satisfaction levels, identifying and dealing with problems as they arose and where possible implementing changes to processes and procedures to mitigate or prevent problems arising, to ensure that all employees were managed effectively, fairly and consistently.
• Effectively managed absence, grievances, disciplinaries and other HR issues. Reviewed and approved HOD's recommendations for employee discipline and termination.
• Significant facilitation of employee engagement and involvement by setting up effective reporting lines and regular management meetings to encourage communication and dissemination of key information, sharing of success and learning points, and feedback. Ensured that employees understood the objectives of the firm and recognised their part in its success and in client satisfaction.
• Key contribution to all HR and operational aspects of the expansion of the operation, with particular emphasis on managing employees through the changes within the firm.
• Participated in all aspects of operational management and control within the department including performance measures against firm targets; measuring staff and other resource utilisation, capacity planning against budget, office space and other operational and facilities issues.
* Selection and implementation of new HR Information System.
* Negotiate and administrate the firm’s healthcare provider.
* Maintain and update HR Information System with accurate employees’ information.
* Assist with translation for partners, GM as well as the HR team members.
* Ensure accurate recording and the return of company assets issued to staff.
* Prepare weekly report for HR Manager highlighting punctuality issues. Reconcile all absences with HRIS to ensure absences recorded accurately.
* Advise new employees upon appointment of procedures and documents required and ensure that employees provide the required documentation prior to their start date.
* Liaise with the firm’s payroll bank to ensure all new accounts opened promptly and resolve employees’ banking issues. Coordinate monthly visit by bank representative.
* Prepare employees termination paperwork and conduct exit interviews.
* Coordinate probationary period review and provide employees with confirmation letter of ongoing employment with the firm.
* Investigate and respond to all payroll queries.
2010-2013 Middlesex University Master of Art in Human Resources Management
1989-1993 University of Damascus Damascus, Syria Bachelor of Economics (Commerce, Management)