HR Business Partner

Taaleem is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. At Taaleem, we hold ourselves to a high standard of effective practices in relation to child protection, and we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We expect all staff to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be subject to various background checks including receipt of references, proof of relevant qualifications, identification, and police checks, including overseas checks.

Job Purpose

The HR Business Partner acts as the dedicated point of contact for the assigned Dubai School, partnering closely with the Principal and Senior Leadership Team to deliver effective people solutions. The role is responsible for driving a positive culture, strong employee experience, leadership capability, and full compliance with Taaleem policies, UAE Labour Law, and Dubai regulatory requirements.

Key Accountabilities:

Strategic HR Partnership

• Act as a trusted advisor to the Principal and school leadership team, translating school objectives into people priorities.
• Provide proactive, practical HR advice, constructively challenging leadership where people decisions may create risk or misalignment.

 Employee Relations & Policy Advisory

• Advise employees and managers on Taaleem policies and procedures, ensuring consistent application and compliance with UAE Labour Law.
• Own employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, performance, and attendance cases, escalating complex or high-risk issues appropriately.

Workforce Planning & Resourcing

• Lead workforce planning for the school, ensuring headcount is aligned to budget, enrolment, and operational needs.
• Identify capability gaps, resourcing risks, and succession vulnerabilities.
• Lead the end-to-end recruitment and selection process for school-based roles, in partnership with Central HR and Education teams.

Compensation, Budgeting & Contracts

• Support the Principal with annual budgeting, staffing models, and compensation planning.
• Ensure all new hires, salary adjustments, and contractual changes are within approved budgets and aligned with policy.
• Ensure timely and accurate issuance of contracts, amendments, and employment documentation.

Performance & Talent Management

• Drive a robust performance management culture, supporting leaders with underperformance, capability development, and appraisal processes.
• Identify high-potential employees and succession risks, supporting leadership with development plans and career pathways.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure full compliance with KHDA and Immigration requirements for the school.
• Maintain oversight of employment risk, regulatory compliance, conduct, ethics, and governance standards.
• Ensure accurate case management, documentation, and audit readiness.

Change & Transformation Support

• Support leadership through organisational change, role redesign, restructures, leadership transitions, and cultural or behavioural initiatives.
• Support onboarding and integration of new hires and leaders into the school.

HR Systems & Data Integrity

• Ensure accurate and timely employee data management for the school across all HR systems, including HCM, Payroll, ATS, and Performance Management platforms.
• Partner with HR Shared Services to ensure data accuracy, system compliance, and smooth operational delivery.

HR Objectives & KPIs

• Accountable for delivery of agreed HR goals and KPIs for the school, aligned to Taaleem’s People & Culture strategy.

Education:        

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or Human Resources.
• Recognised HR Qualification and/or professional accreditation preferred.

Experience:

• 8+ years’ of generalist HR experience is essential (Recruitment, Performance Management, Compensation & Benefits, Employee Relations, Compliance). 
• 5+ years of UAE Labour Law knowledge and experience is essential.  
• 5+ Years of HR experience is preferred, supporting key business leaders. 
• Education Industry HR experience is preferred. 
• Knowledge of the UAE educational regulatory authorities, including but not limited to, KHDA/ADEK is preferred. 

Language & Nationality Requirement

• Fluent English is essential; Arabic language proficiency is preferred due to school, parent, and regulatory engagement.
• Preference will be given to Emirati candidates, in support of UAE Emiratisation initiatives.

Competencies:

• Coaching & advisory: ability to coach and advise key stakeholders on people management solutions and challenges. 
• Competent using IT systems, including Microsoft Word/Excel/Outlook, applicant tracking systems, performance management systems, and Oracle. 
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills: Ability to balance business needs with HR priorities. 

 Attributes:

• Strong communication skills and the ability to influence key stakeholders through data story telling. 
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced environment while balancing priorities and delivering results on time.