Head Of Talent Acquisitions - Retail Business 55K Family Benefits

Head of Talent Acquisitions - Retail Business | 55K + Family Benefits 

Role Summary

Role Title: Head of Talent Acquisition – Retail & FMCG Nature of Business: Retail, Food & Beverage (F&B), FMCG Function: Human Resources / Talent Acquisition Business Model: Multi-unit Operations / Direct-to-Consumer / Distribution

Employment Type: Full-time

Seniority Level: Senior Management

Work Model: Hybrid

Location: Dubai, UAE

Experience Required: 8–10 years (with at least 5 years in a leadership capacity)

Business Priorities: Scalable Recruitment, Talent Pipeline Development, Employer Branding, Operational Excellence, and Data-Driven Hiring.

Role Overview

The Head of Talent Acquisition will lead the end-to-end recruitment strategy for a fast-paced Retail and F&B portfolio across the UAE and the wider GCC. Reporting to the HR Director, this role is responsible for building high-volume hiring engines and executive search capabilities while ensuring a seamless candidate experience. The primary focus is to align talent acquisition with aggressive business expansion goals through strategic workforce planning and advanced HR analytics.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive talent acquisition strategy that supports the rapid growth of Retail, F&B, and FMCG business units.
• Lead and mentor a high-performing recruitment team, setting clear KPIs related to Time-to-Fill, Cost-per-Hire, and Quality-of-Hire.
• Partner with C-suite stakeholders and Department Heads to conduct annual workforce planning and budgeting, ensuring alignment with commercial objectives.
• Oversee executive-level recruitment and headhunting for critical leadership roles across the UAE and regional markets.
• Drive the development of a strong Employer Value Proposition (EVP) to attract top-tier regional and international talent in a competitive market.
• Implement and optimize Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and AI-driven recruitment tools to enhance operational efficiency and data integrity.
• Design and manage high-volume recruitment campaigns for new store openings (NSOs) and seasonal peaks common in the Retail and F&B sectors.
• Collaborate with the Compensation & Benefits team to ensure offer packages remain competitive and aligned with UAE market benchmarks.
• Lead change management initiatives to modernize hiring processes, moving from reactive to proactive, pipeline-based recruitment.
• Manage external vendor relationships, including recruitment agencies and job board providers, ensuring maximum ROI.

Required Competencies

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to translate business needs into long-term talent blueprints.
• Stakeholder Management: Expert at navigating complex matrix organizations and influencing senior leadership.
• Commercial Acumen: Understanding the financial impact of turnover and vacancies on retail operations.
• Execution Excellence: A proven track record of delivering results in high-pressure, high-volume environments.
• Change Leadership: Ability to drive transformation in hiring culture and process adoption.
• Emotional Intelligence & Diplomacy: Navigating sensitive negotiations and diverse cultural dynamics within the GCC.

Required Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Professional HR Certification such as CIPD, SHRM, or equivalent.
• Specialized certifications in psychometric testing or competency-based interviewing are highly desirable.

Required Knowledge

• Deep understanding of UAE Labour Law and regional employment regulations (including MOHRE guidelines).
• Expert knowledge of the GCC retail landscape and consumer goods talent markets.
• Advanced understanding of Workforce Planning methodologies and headcount budgeting.
• Knowledge of Compensation & Benefits structures, including commission and incentive schemes prevalent in Retail/F&B.
• Familiarity with modern sourcing techniques, including Boolean search, social selling, and digital headhunting.

Required Skills

• Advanced HR Analytics: Proficiency in using data to tell a story and drive recruitment decisions.
• Negotiation & Persuasion: High-level ability to close complex executive offers and manage vendor contracts.
• Systems Proficiency: Experience with enterprise-level ATS (e.g., SuccessFactors, Oracle HCM, Workday, or Greenhouse).
• Conflict Resolution: Skilled in managing internal stakeholder expectations and candidate grievances.
• Strategic Planning: Ability to map out 12–24 month talent roadmaps.
• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written English (Arabic is a significant advantage in the UAE/GCC context).

Required Abilities

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume environment where priorities shift rapidly.
• Ability to influence at the board level and serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO/CPO.
• Ability to lead cross-functional projects, such as integrating HR Tech or restructuring onboarding.
• Ability to remain resilient and adaptable during periods of organizational change or market volatility.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in a Retail or global FMCG environment.
• Experience managing recruitment across multiple GCC territories (KSA, Qatar, Kuwait).
• Established network of local and international recruitment partners.

Work Environment