Chief Human Resources Officer; CHRO), NYU

Position Summary

Applications are welcome from all qualified candidates. In line with UAE regulations, Emirati candidates are encouraged to apply.

The NYU Abu Dhabi Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) is a transformative senior leader responsible for guiding a high-performing, data-driven human resources team within a complex organization, within New York University, one of the world's most globally diverse research universities. Operating at the crossroads of academic excellence, cultural intelligence, and innovation, the CHRO collaborates with institutional leaders to build a future-ready workforce and deliver human-centered HR services across a multifaceted, multicultural campus.

The role is responsible for enhancing workforce stability, employee engagement, talent development, retention, and HR operations to support the organization’s mission and operational goals.

While reporting to both the VP and Global CHRO based in New York and the Chief Operating Officer in Abu Dhabi, the position is also accountable to NYU Abu Dhabi senior leadership.

Candidates should possess significant senior human resources leadership experience within a complex, multi-stakeholder organization together with a demonstrated record of developing and implementing people strategies that support institutional performance, growth and organizational excellence. Experience in higher education, academic medicine or another knowledge-intensive environment is desirable. The successful candidate will bring strategic perspective, operational credibility, sound judgment, exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to build trusted relationships with senior academic and administrative leaders in an internationally connected institution.

Principal Duties:

• Strategic HR Leadership and Global Alignment
  • Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to the Vice Chancellor, Chief Operation Officer, Provost, and the senior leadership team on all people-related matters affecting NYUAD's mission.
    
    Act as NYUAD's primary liaison to NYU's global HR function; implement global HR policies, processes, and technology locally and contribute to their development where the Abu Dhabi context warrants it.
• HR Team Leadership & Budget Management
  • Select, develop, and inspire a high-performing HR team; set clear goals, provide coaching, and foster a culture of excellence and continuous improvement within the function.
  • Develop and manage the HR department's operating budget; oversee vendor relationships and HR technology investments for value and performance
• Talent Acquisition and Recruitment
  • Lead a proactive, globally competitive talent acquisition strategy that attracts exceptional academic and professional staff and administrators.
  • Ensure fair and inclusive hiring practices.
• Immigration & Visa Services
  • Lead and manage NYUAD's immigration and visa services function, ensuring timely, compliant, and high-quality support to employees and students relocating to or within the UAE.
  • Develop a proactive immigration compliance program, tracking regulatory changes and preparing the institution accordingly.
• Compensation and Benefits
  • Design and steward a competitive, equitable total rewards framework — covering base compensation, benefits, allowances, housing, and non-monetary recognition
  • Lead periodic compensation benchmarking and equity audits; surface and remediate pay gaps in collaboration with finance and legal counsel.
  • Develop innovative benefits offerings that reflect the diverse needs of an internationally mobile workforce, including wellbeing, family support and mental health provisions.
  • Ensure all compensation and benefits programs comply with NYUAD policy, UAE labor law, and any applicable NYU global standards.

• Workforce Planning, Analytics & Digital HR…