HR Business Partner - Bahrain & UAE

About the role

This HR Business Partner manages day-to-day HR operations across Bahrain and the UAE, including HR policies, procedures, HRIS records and HR programmes, in consultation with HR Management. The role acts as a trusted partner to assigned departments, giving practical, proactive and business-focused advice across the employee lifecycle, and works with line managers on employee relations, performance management, talent development, engagement and HR compliance.

Key responsibilities

• Partner with business heads and managers to turn operational priorities into people plans, and build trusted relationships across the business
• Support Bahrain/GCC HR policies, procedures and employee communications, and advise on employee relations, performance, engagement, retention and workforce planning
• Support succession planning and coach managers on people decisions, feedback, engagement and documentation standards
• Lead onboarding, induction, probation, transfers and exits, and manage employee communications and internal audits
• Coordinate training, vendor liaison, learning and development (Taqadam), engagement initiatives and rewards and recognition (Mashkoor)
• Support location-specific performance management cycles, disciplinary investigations and grievance matters, and issue HR documents such as compensation and benefits letters
• Maintain accurate HRIS data, assist with HRIS upgrades, deliver monthly HR reports and track metrics such as headcount, attrition and absence
• Answer employee and manager queries on benefits and policies, and keep up with Bahrain and GCC labour law and HR trends

Required profile

• Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or a related discipline
• Minimum 5+ years of progressive HR generalist or business partnering experience, preferably in a multi-location or project-based environment
• Knowledge of Bahrain/UAE labour law and GCC HR practices preferred
• Experience with HRIS systems and employee data; ability to turn data into practical insights
• Compensation and benefits knowledge or certification is an advantage
• Understanding of the interiors, construction, fit-out or project-based industry is an advantage

Required skills

• Strong working knowledge of HR operations, employee relations, performance management, onboarding, engagement and HR reporting
• Clear spoken and written English; local language capability is an advantage
• Ability to create and deploy HR programmes with stakeholder alignment