Manager - People & Culture; Cluster

Main Duties:

• Act as the lead HR business partner for multiple campuses.
• Provide strategic and operational HR support across the employee lifecycle.
• Lead workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, and retention strategies.
• Guide school leaders on employee relations, performance enablement, and policy implementation.
• Ensure full compliance with UAE Labour Law, ADEK regulations, and Aldar Education policies.
• Manage HR systems, data accuracy, reporting, and compliance documentation.
• Champion employee engagement, wellbeing, inclusion, and Emiratization targets

Specific Duties:

• Collaborate with school leadership to design and implement people strategies aligned to school priorities.
• Act as a strategic advisor to Principals on workforce challenges, resourcing, and succession planning.
• Represent assigned campuses in cluster-wide and group-wide P&C initiatives and audits.

• Lead end-to-end recruitment, including safer recruitment practices, interviews, and approvals.
• Ensure alignment with approved staffing and budget plans.
• Manage onboarding journeys: pre-arrival communication, ADEK pass and visa processes, induction, and system access.
• Liaise with HQ P&C, Public Relations, and Government Relations to ensure full regulatory and immigration compliance.

• Coordinate probation reviews and performance appraisal cycles in line with policy.
• Support Principals in identifying and addressing performance concerns.
• Update and align job descriptions with competency frameworks.
• Track and report on professional development and training activity.

• Lead investigations and manage employee relations cases with confidentiality and professionalism.
• Advise on disciplinary matters, grievances, and conduct concerns.
• Escalate high-risk or legal issues to HQ P&C and Legal as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate and confidential ER records and trackers.

• Oversee day-to-day HR operations including time & attendance, leave, staff files, and system updates.
• Issue employment contracts, contract renewals, salary letters, NOCs, and experience letters.
• Process staff exits, final settlements, and clearance documentation in coordination with HQ Payroll and School Ops.
• Maintain accurate organization charts and staffing reports across campuses.

• Monitor and report key HR KPIs including turnover, absence, Emiratization, recruitment activity, and compliance rates.
• Ensure HR systems reflect accurate headcount and staff movements.
• Provide ad hoc and scheduled reports to HQ P&C and SLTs.

• Drive employee engagement through feedback channels, recognition initiatives, and inclusion programs.
• Partner with SLTs to address staff wellbeing and morale.
• Support implementation of Aldar Education s diversity and inclusion agenda.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or a related field. Related industry qualification, of graduate level, for the assigned functional area(s). Recognized HR Qualification and/or professional subscription (eg CIPD) desirable

Minimum Experience:

Minimum 5 years in HR or Recruitment in any industry;
Education industry experience is essential Job Specific Knowledge &

Skills:

Proven knowledge of UAE Labour Law and ADEK/KHDA compliance requirements. Advanced computer skills, including Microsoft 360 suite, ERP (Oracle, SAP, MS Dynamics). Strong organizational and prioritisation skills. Fluent in English;
Arabic is an advantage. Organized, detail-oriented, and proactive. Skilled in multi-tasking and handling pressure.