Senior HR And Administration Manager

Building dreams of the future

This organization is a newly established contracting business headquartered in Abu Dhabi, created as part of a respected regional real estate and housing development group with a long-standing track record in delivering high-quality, large-scale projects. While the business operates with the agility and entrepreneurial mindset of a start-up, it benefits from the financial strength, governance standards, and project expertise of its parent group.

With a clear focus on civil and infrastructure development across the UAE, the company is building its core leadership and delivery teams to support ambitious growth plans. The environment combines strong structure and discipline with the opportunity to shape processes, culture, and ways of working from an early stage.

About the company

You’ll be joining an ambitious start-up subsidiary of a well-established construction and housing development group in the UAE. While operating independently, you’ll benefit from the credibility, financial discipline, and operational excellence of a trusted parent organization. Here, your work will have a real impact on high-profile civil and infrastructure projects across Abu Dhabi and the UAE, combining innovation with a strong focus on compliance, quality, and efficiency.

This is your chance to be part of a fast-growing team where your contributions directly support project success and help shape how operations run across multiple sites.

About the role

This is a senior leadership opportunity within a newly established contracting organization based in Abu Dhabi, operating as part of a well-known regional development group. The company is entering a key growth phase, delivering large-scale civil and infrastructure projects across the UAE, with a strong emphasis on governance, compliance, and long-term value creation.

As Senior HR & Administration Manager, you will take full ownership of the HR and administration function. Your role is to build, lead, and continuously strengthen people and administrative processes that support business growth, operational excellence, and a positive employee experience in a dynamic, project-driven environment.

Your new role

In this role, you will act as a trusted partner to senior leadership while remaining closely involved in day-to-day HR and administrative operations. You will be responsible for ensuring compliance with UAE labor law, driving HR digitalization, and establishing scalable processes that can support the organization as it grows.

You will combine strategic thinking with hands-on execution, playing a key role in shaping the organization’s culture, structure, and people practices from the ground up.

Day in the life

You’ll start your day by reviewing HR metrics and ensuring compliance across the organization, keeping a pulse on key workforce indicators. You’ll meet with senior management to align on workforce planning and organizational priorities, while guiding your HR and administration team on recruitment progress, employee relations matters, and process improvements. Throughout the day, you’ll handle escalations related to labor law, contracts, or employee issues, and dedicate time to longer-term initiatives such as implementing new systems, developing policies, and enhancing the overall employee experience.

Key responsibilities

Your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Developing and implementing HR strategies aligned with business objectives
• Leading recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and talent development processes
• Managing compensation, benefits, payroll, and employee records
• Ensuring full compliance with UAE labor law, regulations, and internal policies
• Driving employee engagement, performance management, and training initiatives
• Overseeing administrative operations, including office management, facilities, and vendor coordination
• Preparing HR reports and providing insights to senior leadership
• Leading, mentoring, and developing the HR and administration team
• Driving HR process improvements and digital transformation initiatives

What you bring

We are looking for an experienced and credible HR leader who is comfortable operating in a fast-paced, project-based environment and enjoys building structure while supporting growth.

You bring:

• A bachelor’s degree in HR, business administration, or a related field (master’s preferred)
• 15+ years of HR experience, including at least 5 years in a senior or managerial role
• Strong, hands-on knowledge of UAE labor law and HR best practices
• Experience within construction, contracting, engineering, or similar project-driven industries
• Proven leadership and stakeholder management skills
• Experience working with HR systems, ERP tools, and digital HR platforms
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities
• The adaptability and resilience required to thrive in a growing organization

Professional HR certifications (CIPD, SHRM, or equivalent) are considered an advantage.

What’s in it for you

This role offers the chance to play a defining role in shaping the people and administrative foundations of a growing organization. You will work closely with senior leadership, have real influence on how the business evolves, and contribute to projects that have a visible impact across the UAE.

For the right individual, this is an opportunity to combine stability and backing from a well-established development group with the autonomy, exposure, and impact of a start-up environment.