Umar Shakir

Lead strategic talent acquisition and HR operations for major GCC construction and infrastructure projects,
ensuring full compliance with localization targets.
Orchestrated end-to-end recruitment lifecycle for 1, 400+ headcount mobilization for Giga-Project, spanning C-suite
executives to technical blue-collar field labor
Reduced Time-to-Hire by 30% through structured interview frameworks and competency-based assessment protocols
Achieved cost-per-hire reduction of 37% via strategic sourcing optimization and employer branding initiatives
Designed onboarding frameworks that increased first-year retention by 15%, ensuring cultural and technical alignment
Manage full-spectrum HR operations including portal management, compliance, and status optimization
Utilize SAP SuccessFactors and Zoho People for applicant tracking, workforce planning, and HR analytics dashboard
creation

Directed comprehensive HR strategy and talent acquisition for high-growth organization, transforming HR
function into strategic business partner while scaling organization to 150+ employees.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
Managed full-cycle recruitment for 200+ annual hires across GCC markets, achieving 100% compliance across regional
jurisdictions
Re-engineered hiring workflows resulting in 38% reduction in time-to-hire through advanced ATS implementation
Increased inbound qualified applications by 35% through data-driven employer brand development and targeted social
media outreach
Implemented competency-based screening achieving 90%+ hiring manager satisfaction scores
Served as strategic advisor to CEO on workforce planning, organizational development, and salary benchmarking
Managed compliance and expatriate visa operations for diverse multinational workforce

Managed technical recruitment operations for UK-based consultancy, specializing in software engineering and
UX/UI talent acquisition.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
Delivered 60-90 professional placements annually across software engineering, UX/UI design, and commercial
leadership roles
Reduced Time-to-Fill by 25% through Boolean search strategies and high-intent talent pipeline development
Achieved 15% increase in passive candidate conversions via LinkedIn Recruiter (Advanced)
Standardized interview rubrics and competency-based screening, maintaining 90%+ hiring manager satisfaction
ratings