Cluster PandC Manager

Svitzer Middle East is looking for a Cluster People & Culture Manager for our MENA (Middle East, North Africa) cluster, partnering with the Cluster Managing Director and local management on P&C matters. In Svitzer we believe that “When we are passionate about our people, our people will be passionate about our customers”. Svitzer is a true people company. Leading sustainable marine solutions requires not only the best equipment but an environment where people can truly thrive with passion for our customers, innovating together.

Who We Are

Svitzer is a global leader in towage services, aiding our customers in safely and efficiently manoeuvring their large vessels in and out of ports worldwide. The way we do business is governed by our values: Constant Care, Humbleness, Uprightness, Our Employees, Our Name.

Founded in 1833, Svitzer builds on almost 200 years of experience, and our powerful tugboats and experts in towage work tirelessly to keep goods flowing, businesses thriving, and communities connected. Today, Svitzer is a leading global port and terminal infrastructure provider, serving approximately 2,000 customers in 143 ports and 40 terminals across 37 countries through a fleet of 446 vessels. Most of our business is to support container vessels, cargo ships, cruise ships and navy vessels but we also attend to emergencies like vessels being adrift or offshore fires. And we have started exploring new digital and green products and partnerships in an exciting journey, leading the way for towage to generate a cleaner, greener future for our industry.

What You Can Look Forward To

As the Cluster P&C Manager (MENA), you will report to the Regional Head of People & Culture, AMEA, and be part of a dedicated P&C team comprising five colleagues. Your key stakeholders will include the Cluster Managing Director, Country Managers, local P&C teams, and leaders and colleagues across our regional office. In this role, you will be responsible for providing business partnering and support to ensure alignment with regional People & Culture priorities, facilitate best practice sharing, and strengthen collaboration. Ultimately, your goal is to deliver an exceptional people experience for all MENA employees - both our seafaring and office-based colleagues.

What You Will Do

As the People & Culture Business Partner for our MENA Cluster and Regional Office, you’ll play a key role in shaping a workplace where our colleagues can thrive - professionally and personally.

Spanning five countries and nearly 500 colleagues on- and offshore, the MENA Cluster is a diverse and dynamic environment. You’ll be a trusted advisor - balancing tactical perspective with hands-on execution - to ensure that Svitzer continues to be a great place to work, grow, and thrive.

Your Main Responsibilities Will Be To

• Lead the P&C agenda across the MENA Cluster and Regional Office, ensuring a consistent and people-first experience.
• Partner with leaders to foster a safe and inclusive culture that strengthens collaboration, engagement, and results.
• Deliver a world-class employee experience across the full lifecycle - from attracting and developing talent to recognition and retention.
• Build and support strong local P&C capabilities, promoting shared standards, policies, and best practices across the region.
• Guide and coach managers on people matters, fostering leadership accountability and alignment with our values and Safety Management System.
• Drive smart, timely recruitment and onboarding that reflect our values and deliver the right talent for our teams.
• Support organizational change and business growth, ensuring smooth transitions from a people, culture, and compliance perspective.
• Partner with local teams on labour relations, including engagement with organized labour and collective bargaining when required.
• Navigate complex employment law and policy landscapes across the cluster, with external legal support when needed.
• Manage key People & Culture processes including Performance Management, Annual Salary Review, Talent Review and Engagement Survey follow-up.
• Manage payroll for the UAE Regional Office
• Take ownership of regional P&C projects and initiatives, contributing to the success of both local operations and global programs.
• Support effective employee communication and engagement, helping leaders act on feedback and strengthen trust at all levels.
• Contribute to financial planning through employment cost forecasting and analysis
  
  

Who We Are Looking For

We are looking for a candidate who:

• Has a bachelor’s or master’s degree within Human Resource Management or a related field
• Has at least 8+ years P&C related experience, preferably from within the maritime sector
• Has experience from the region and is willing and able to travel to our diverse locations and the ports in which we operate to connect with our people and our customers
• Is a strong Business Partner who understands the balance of supporting and challenging leaders to grow, whether it be white-collar leaders or our Masters onboard our Tugs
• Has solid business acumen skills, including financial management knowledge and analytical skills.
• Has excellent verbal and written English communication skills and the capability to interact with people from other cultures and with other native languages. Arabic language skills is an advantage, not a requirement.
• Works in a value-based manner and has empathy, cultural sensitivity, and integrity.
• Possesses a growth mindset with an ability to adapt to change and drive sustainable performance.
  
  

Building a Diverse Workplace

In Svitzer we value the diversity of our talent and will always strive to recruit the best person for the job – we value diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to gender, age, nationality, race, sexual orientation, disability, or religious beliefs. We are proud of our diversity and see it as a genuine source of strength for building high performing teams.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that members from some under-represented groups are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t meet every single qualification. At Svitzer we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles, and we are excited about hearing from you!

How To Apply

To apply for this role, please click on the Apply Now button and create a Candidate Home to manage your applications.

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