Director Middle East People Lead

Alvarez & Marsal

How you will contribute

As the Director, Middle East People Lead, your key responsibilities will include:

• Serving as the trusted advisor to senior leaders on all people-related matters, including all elements of the employee life cycle.
• Collaborating with global and regional People leadership teams to design, implement, and execute comprehensive People strategies that support business goals and enhance employee performance and development within the region.
• Designing and executing key People projects specific to the Middle East region.
• Overseeing the professional development of the regional People teams through coaching and mentorship.
• Developing and enforcing people policies, procedures, and best practices across the region in partnership with global and regional leadership.
• Ensuring compliance with local labour laws, industry standards, and organisational policies, mitigating legal and operational risks.
• Advising the local People team on employee relations matters, with support from global or regional leadership as necessary.
• Fostering a culture aligned with A&M s global vision and values, focusing on diversity, inclusion, and innovation tailored to the local work environment.
• Overseeing People operations, including Workday (our HRIS system), payroll, and queries, in alignment with SLAs.
• Supporting automation of workflows and operational efficiency improvements.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 5 years in leadership roles managing multi-regional teams.
• Experience working in a matrixed, international business with exposure to complex regulatory environments in the Middle East.
• Significant Middle East regional experience, ideally in the professional services sector.
• Fluency in Arabic and English is essential.
• Bachelors degree in HR, Business, or related field; Masters degree preferred.
• Professional HR certifications (e.g., SHRM-SCP, SPHR) highly desirable.
• Proven track record of success in global HR operations and service delivery.
• Strong understanding of HR practices and labour laws across multiple Middle Eastern countries.
• Experience in change management and organisational development.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with ability to influence at all levels.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively in diverse environments.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.