Senior Executive

About the Role

We are seeking a Senior People Executive to join our dynamic People Team in the MENAT region. Reporting to the Senior People Partner, you will play a pivotal role in supporting the full employee lifecycle. This position is central to ensuring our people practices are compliant, efficient, and aligned with Burson's commitment to creating an exceptional employee experience. You will partner closely with line managers, serve as a trusted advisor to employees, and work alongside the Senior Talent Acquisition People Partner on recruitment initiatives with a particular focus on Emiratisation.

As the guardian of administrative excellence, you will contribute to strategic people initiatives that drive engagement and organizational success.

• Manage end-to-end onboarding and offboarding processes, including welcoming new hires, coordinating sessions, issuing contracts, overseeing the Buddy Program, and conducting exit interviews while ensuring SOX compliance.
• Support the Talent Acquisition People Partner with recruitment operations, including coordinating Emiratisation initiatives, managing candidate communications, tracking hiring metrics, and liaising with external partners such as universities and government entities.
• Oversee visa processing and cancellations in the UAE in coordination with the PRO, ensuring all documentation meets regulatory and compliance requirements.
• Oversee probation period cycles, track mandatory training completion, and ensure managers meet critical deadlines with proper documentation and timely employee communications.
• Execute monthly payroll processes to agreed SLAs, prepare payroll updates with supporting documentation, and support colleagues with compensation, benefits, and medical insurance inquiries.
• Maintain accurate employment records in compliance with SOX and audit requirements, ensuring all people activities align with local employment legislation and company best practices.
• Support performance management cycles by tracking review completion, providing platform guidance, and assisting with disciplinary processes and performance improvement plans.
• Drive culture and engagement initiatives by supporting the annual employee engagement survey, managing people data and systems, generating reports and dashboards, and conducting labour market research to inform regional people strategies.

• Must have UAE experience in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Proven progressive HR experience, preferably in a multi-country or regional role within a professional services or agency environment.
• Strong working knowledge of employment law, HR compliance requirements (including SOX), and best practices across multiple jurisdictions, particularly within the MENAT region.
• Understanding of UAE nationalization initiatives, particularly Emiratisation requirements, and experience supporting recruitment or talent acquisition functions.
• Demonstrated expertise in HRIS systems, ATS platforms, and advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with strong attention to data accuracy and reporting.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the proven ability to build trusted relationships across all organizational levels.
• Proactive problem-solver with a track record of identifying opportunities for process improvement and implementing innovative solutions.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet tight deadlines, and maintain composure under pressure.

Our vision is for Burson to be the leading ‘academy company’ for creative communications professionals and emerging leaders. We provide a dynamic environment where ambitious colleagues come to elevate their skills, expand their networks, and ultimately, produce the best solutions for today’s leading brands. Our commitment to your growth is reflected in our robust benefits and people programs, which include professional development opportunities, mentorship programs with industry leaders, a vibrant and inclusive company culture fostering collaboration and innovation and packages designed to reward and retain…