HR Business Partner Dubai – United Arab Emirates Full-time

This role acts as the dedicated HR point of contact for Harrow International School Dubai, therefore partnering with the Principal and Senior Leadership Team to translate school objectives into people priorities. You will lead workforce planning, employee relations, compliance with UAE Labour Law, and strategic talent management, while embedding Harrow’s values of courage, honour, humility, and fellowship. Consequently, your advisory and coaching skills will directly shape a positive, high‑performing workplace culture within a prestigious founding school team.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted advisor to the Principal and school leadership, therefore translating school objectives into proactive people solutions and HR priorities.
• Advise employees and managers on Taaleem policies, procedures, and UAE Labour Law, ensuring consistent, compliant application. Own employee relations cases including disciplinary, grievance, performance, and attendance matters.
• Lead workforce planning for the school, aligning headcount with budget, enrolment, and operational needs. Identify capability gaps, resourcing risks, and succession vulnerabilities.
• Manage end‑to‑end recruitment and selection for school‑based roles in partnership with Central HR and Education teams, ensuring timely, high‑quality hires.
• Support the Principal with annual budgeting, staffing models, and compensation planning. Ensure all contractual changes are within approved budgets and aligned with policy.
• Drive a robust performance management culture, supporting leaders with underperformance, capability development, appraisal processes, and career pathways for high‑potential employees.
• Maintain full compliance with KHDA and immigration requirements, and ensure accurate case management, documentation, and audit readiness for employment risk and regulatory standards.
• Support leadership through organisational change, role redesign, restructures, leader transitions, and onboarding of new hires.
• Ensure accurate employee data management across HR systems (HCM, Payroll, ATS, Performance Management), partnering with HR Shared Services for data integrity and smooth operational delivery.

Requirements And Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or Human Resources; recognised HR qualification or professional accreditation preferred.
• 8+ years of generalist HR experience (Recruitment, Performance Management, C&B, Employee Relations, Compliance).
• 5+ years of UAE Labour Law knowledge and experience (essential).
• 5+ years of HR experience supporting key business leaders; education industry HR experience is preferred.
• Knowledge of UAE educational regulatory authorities (KHDA/ADEK) is preferred.
• Competent in Microsoft Office, applicant tracking systems, performance management systems, and Oracle.
• Strong coaching, advisory, organisational, and prioritisation skills, with ability to balance business needs and HR priorities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder influence skills, using data storytelling to drive decisions.
• Ability to operate in a fast‑paced environment while delivering results on time.
• Clean police check / DBS as required by Taaleem’s safeguarding policy.

What You’ll Gain

• Opportunity to join the founding team of Harrow International School Dubai, a prestigious institution guided by Harrow’s 450‑year legacy, as a strategic HR partner shaping people and culture from the start.
• Competitive tax‑free monthly salary (AED 25,000–35,000) plus medical insurance, annual flight allowance, and end of service gratuity.
• High‑visibility role with direct influence on leadership capability, employee experience, and organisational compliance within a world‑class school environment.
• Access to professional development, cross‑functional collaboration, and the chance to embed Harrow’s values of courage, honour, humility, and fellowship across a vibrant, inclusive community.