Chief Operations Officer
Canadian University Dubai
Total years of experience :31 years, 2 Months
As Chief Operating Officer, I am a key member of the Executive Management Team and University Senate responsible for leading professional services in the day-to-day running of the University, alongside innovating and implementing the University’s ambitious strategic and operational plans.
Experienced in the negotiation of high-level contracts. Excellent ability to quickly close deals with an emphasis on profitability. Lead negotiator on the 2020 Campus expansion plan with a value of AED 200m.
Well versed in presentations, accustomed to addressing clients, vendors, partners, and board of directors. Directly oversees Analytics & Decision Support, Enterprise Operations, Facilities Services, Strategic workforce forecasting, planning, Financial Administration and budgeting. Monthly reporting to President and Board.
Lead in the Covid-19 protocol committee in implementation of policy and safety procedures to ensure the safety and security of students, staff and visitors. Research and Implementation of new technology
Leads customer focused HR & corporate services and Human Resources lifecycle management through development and communication of Policy, Procedure and E-services to enhance customer satisfaction, a conducive working environment and an engaged workforce. Continuous review and enhancement of Ratio’s, in relation to strategic and legislative targets.
Management and coordination of Governance, Legal and Assurance services, trade and other licenses, trademarks, property rental, service delivery agreements and corporate and personnel insurance policies to ensure legal compliance to regulations from the UAE and Dubai. Development new long-term partnership with AEG Insurance services.
External Relations, Communications and Marketing Championed the development and implementation of strategic plans and innovative marketing ideas. Development and signing of partnership agreements locally and internationally * Signed an agreement with Dubai Financial Markets and implemented a stock trading platform.
Lead and maintain Campus Administration and Physical- Infrastructure as per standards including EHS, security and facility maintenance. Facility utilization assessment on a semester basis as basis of strategic growth and sustainability augmentation.
Review of potential markets and forecast opportunity for Strategic projects on Ad-Hoc basis. Established 3 new business ventures and diversification for Dubai Education
Developed and implemented community involvement projects. Patron of the “Enseble Choir”, the first choir for children of determination in the UAE
Canadian University Dubai is a Leading Private University in Dubai and part of the Dubai Education group providing a plethora of opportunities in work, research, and learning.
Member of the Executive Management team and Board Member of PACE Disability Rehabilitation Center.
Established and leads all strategic and operational HR & Admin activities across Dubai Education and Canadian University Dubai (CUD).
Leads customer focused HR & Admin services through development and communication of Policy and Procedures, Faculty and Staff Handbooks, to support the vision and enhance customer satisfaction, creating of a conducive working environment and an engaged workforce.
Strategic manpower planning and structuring to maintain a staff/faculty ratio of less than 1.1 per annum. Timely faculty recruitment for future academic years in terms of strategic academic focus. Development and management of headcount budget, position control and alignment with academic and strategic plan. Member of working team on University re-accreditation and program accreditation processes.
Implementation of Employee Self Service portal to provide best in class customer service, timely information and ease of administration.
Effectiveness of Reward and Recognition Management through the introduction of a new policy on employee performance, training and development, rewards management and the implementation of a new Employee Engagement Survey based on Gallup.
Lead and maintain Campus Physical- Infrastructure and environmental requirements as per standards including EHS and security, bio and chemical lab safety and implementation of policy and training. Outsourced facility maintenance to achieve a saving of AED 800, 000 per annum and implementation of electronic facility maintenance system to ensure timely and cost effective management.
Management and coordination of legal services, renewal of trade and other licences, trademarks, property rental and service delivery agreements, Corporate and personnel insurance policies and coordination of legal matters through attorneys to ensure legal compliance and compliance to regulations from Dubai Municipality, Department of Economic Development Dubai and related ministries. Oversaw student accommodation and negotiated a AED 2M saving per annum
Instituting of strategic partnerships. Creation and construction of the CUD stock trading centre in partnership with Dubai Financial Markets to facilitate hands-on education for students, Initiation of creative zones with OSN, etc.
Establishment of the off-site “PACE Disability Rehabilitation Centre” for special needs children in Dubai under Dubai Education and oversee the day to day operations of the centre. (PACE Centre is not for Profit). Establishment of “Touché a Tout” Nursery on CUD campus for staff and faculty use.
Effective cost management, procurement, budgeting, payroll and acting as CFO while position is under recruitment
Creation of the CUD Stock Exchange and negotiation of an MOU in collaboration with Dubai Financial Markets to provide students with a real world trading experience
QF Research and Development is a leading scientific research organisation, a world-class hub for technology innovation and commercialisation and consists of prominent research institutes operating at the frontiers of science.
Established and leads all strategic HR activities across 5 research centres, the Qatar National Research Fund and the Science and Technology Park.
Leads manpower planning, organisational structuring, budget and recruitment of 3, 000 research professionals for the next 3 years. Completed recruitment of 700 in 1 year.
Developed, implemented and communicated R&D HR and administrative policies, process and procedures to support the research vision and R&D start-up.
Created a new job evaluation system, Research Job Family Management System (JFMS), for management, research and support positions, and mapped current employees into the new JFMS. Defining job family salary scales and compensation and benefits regulations through market benchmarking, facilitating international recruitment of top talent.
Optimised recruitment process to drive recruitment from 10 to 50 per month, reducing the cycle from 6 months to 2 months.
Managing pre- and post-onboarding of new researchers and staff to ensure a smooth transition into QF international culture. Developed welcome guides and handbooks, coordinated housing assignments, office space planning, schooling support, arrival and assimilation support for over 50 new staff arrivals per month. Reduced turnover to 7%.
Built a tracking system from scratch to track candidates and their family needs, enabling better provision of solutions, including driving licences, housing and schools.
Building and leading the HR team to manage disciplinary action, promotions, transfers, job evaluation, job descriptions, training and development, employee relations, performance management, travel and accommodation and annual review of declarations of interest of all R&D staff.
Co-ordinating appointment and lifecycle of graduate trainees sent to international Universities in the US, UK and Europe, for further studies in M.Sc. and PhD. fields towards scientific careers; currently 130 graduate trainees, growing with over 50 per annum. Achieved 50% Qatarization through this programme.
Implemented new supplemental systems for managing housing and space-planning for staff, lay-out including office/lab assignment, moving schedules and access control. Applied technology to create paperless processes, increasing efficiency.
Co-ordinating employee services such as visa and sponsorships, health insurance, passport renewal, medical examinations, licenses and professional memberships and registration. Liaising with government and professional bodies.
The largest University in the UAE employing 3, 000 faculty and staff with a complement of over 15, 000 students.
Managed HR function for 3, 000 staff and faculty members, leading a team of 20 HR staff.
Transformed a previously clerical HR operation to become a strategic partner to the University, building and training the team to take responsibility as Business Partners to University Departments and Colleges.
Introduced policies and procedures and developed a paperless recruitment cycle. Conducted HR process analysis; identified, improved and streamlined complex work processes to become more efficient and user friendly.
Managed international recruitment function for staff and faculty to meet manpower requirements. Developed new on-boarding policy and process, facilitating swift integration into the University and culture reducing the cycle from 3 months to 2 weeks. Reduced turnover to 8%.
Managed on-boarding of up to 120 families in one weekend, co-ordinating all service providers and facilities for staff.
Supervised exit strategy and end of service, ensuring a positive experience and retaining progressive relationships.
Managed the job grading system, compensation and benefits, leave, pension and general administration. Determined and planned organisational redesigns, key restructuring initiatives, right-sizing opportunities, nationalisation and talent upgrades across the University.
Improved efficiency of budget preparation and position control for all HR, college and operation functions.
Led HR Information and Knowledge Management (HRIS); maintaining website, internet, intranet, Banner (ERP) and shared knowledge databases. Introduced more coding to facilitate enhanced reporting.
Member of the Board of Directors - UAEU; Mulatqa.
Established following paperless E- Services linked with Banner through projects with the University IT Services:
E-Leave System
E-End of Service System
E-Overtime System
E-Vacation Tickets System
E-Education Fee System
Employee Profile System
E-Travel System
E-Beneficiary Tracking
Led HR functions for Al Ain, Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE; 6 companies and 5 offices.
Managed HR and Admin for 14, 000 staff and labour across the group of companies including budgets, ER/IR, welfare, discipline, grievance, performance appraisal, succession planning, and all issues regarding visa, insurance and passports.
Developed and executed HR and Administration policies/standards to ensure effective, fair and equitable management of staff. Developed over 100 policies & processes for the Group. Implemented equitable remuneration and benefits strategies.
Led recruitment drives to meet manpower requirements. Implemented induction and ‘Be my Guest’ programme.
Set up and led management of living facilities on site for labour recruited from outside the country. Recruited ‘Camp Managers’ to run the facilities and leisure activities, ensuring effective integration of labour to the company and country.
Initiated innovative HR branding and set up Communications Department to encourage open communication between ex-pat labour and the company, ensuring retention and productivity and preventing grievances or conflict.
Led consulting, implementation and training on Performance Management Systems (PMSs), Models and Principles. Implemented IT systems for HR and performance tracking (EFQM Model).
SA Local Government Association; National Project Manager for Performance Management Systems Implementation.
North West Provincial Govt.; PMS Task Team Member. Delivered training on EFQM Model; worked with the Municipality on strategic planning and developed PMS systems based on the Excellence Model.
Delivered consultancy on HR practices, labour law and discipline, customer care systems, employment equity, skills development and organisational health and safety.
Developed organisational structures, job descriptions and ensured effective placement of personnel.
Managed HR operations for 700 employees: payroll and compensation/benefits, skills and career development, strategy, policy and budget management, recruitment/selection, Health & Safety, employee relations/negotiation, formulating performance management system/policies/procedures.
Permanent skilled level position
Audit salary and payroll system, leave system, debtor accounts, creditor payments, stores and general accounting systems of the council to ensure accuracy, correctness and compliance to procedures, GAAP and statutory regulations.
Audit all other departments and sections of council to ensure viability and compliance to procedures, GAAP and statutory regulations.
Determining and audit of budgets.
Acting Town manager of Itsoseng for nine months.
IT and Logistics Manager for the IEC.
Permanent skilled level position
Management of salary and leave system and implementation of new systems.
Management of creditor system, procurement for all departments, Store and stocks management.
Management of general ledger and general accounting
Permanent junior level position at UIF in the Financial sector in Pretoria and Johannesburg, South Africa
Receipt, accounting and bank of R7 million per day.
Personnel management and general accounting and draw up financial statements.
Acting assistant Director for 6 months.
Audit Pretoria, Durban and Kimberley regional offices to ensure accuracy, correctness and compliance to procedures, GAAP and statutory regulations.
Audit financial and accounting systems and creation of internal control measures.