Talent Development Partner

Talent Development Partner - GCC

Knauf stands for opportunity. We know that opportunity looks different to each person, and we are proud that we see opportunity in everyone. This exciting role within Knauf GCC, based in Dubai, UAE could be the perfect next opportunity for you to build a unique career, in a values-led culture with a clear purpose of making tomorrow a home for all of us. x

We are a global manufacturer of construction materials and within our Group, our 42,000 team members in 96 countries across 300 sites provide a huge opportunity for anyone with ambition and energy. We value everyones contribution equally and we ask that you bring your whole self to work, to enrich the business further, as together we achieve more in a safe and inclusive environment.

Knauf GCC is proud to be part of the Knauf Group. We have heritage in Gypsum manufacturing and have big plans for the future. Our global reach continues to grow, and we are looking for passionate, ambitious leaders to help us achieve our goals. We are all led by the same core values and believe in the powerful potential of large companies to have a positive impact on the world. We are now looking for another team member to join us in the People Department as the Talent Development Partner, based in Dubai, UAE.

Can you say ‘yes’?

Do you treat your colleagues with respect?

Do you always have the customer in mind?

Do you act with future generations in mind?

Do you like to seek out opportunities to grow and develop?

Do you have a proven track record of delivering results?

What You’ll Be Doing

This role will be responsible to design, implement, and manage talent development strategies that enhance employee capabilities, leadership readiness, and organizational performance.

The role focuses on learning, career development, succession planning, and building a future-ready workforce aligned with business goals.

Key Responsibilities Are

Onboarding

• Ensure new joiners are provided a smooth onboarding experience through development and execution of comprehensive induction plans, and maintaining check-ins.
• Develops frameworks and mechanisms to ensure continuous learning. Learning and Development.
• Identify current and future training needs through job analysis, career paths, annual performance appraisals, and consultation with department heads to develop L&D strategy.
• Assess immediate learning and development needs and develop annual L&D plan.
• Align with Regional People Team to localize and execute learning and development initiatives in line with overall Regional L&D Strategy.
• Manages and implements behavioral, leadership, and functional training programs in alignment with country/regional L&D strategy.
• Ensures enrollment in global leadership development programs.
• Ensure the effective promotion and utilization of the BuildU Learning Management System (LMS) to efficiently manage and track all training activities.
• Establish metrics and evaluate the effectiveness of learning programs through assessments, surveys, and feedback mechanisms, as developed for specific training programs at Regional and Global level.
  
  

Talent Development

• Develop and maintain Talent Development policies and practices to reflect Knauf Global and Regional strategy.
• Support the People Director in collaborating with senior leadership on the Talent Review and Succession Planning process to identify critical roles and potential successors.
• Implement development plans identified during talent review process, to ensure a pipeline of qualified successors for key positions.
• Build Manager’s capability on talent development and coach them on talent processes.
• Support people managers’ in developing solid individual development plans.
  
  

Culture and Engagement

• Drive various diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and develop infrastructure for inclusive workplace, and partner with champions and stakeholders on execution that aligns with Knauf’s DE&I Targets.
• Develop and implement Knauf cultural program.
• Localize and implement recognition programs that enhance employee engagement and retention, in alignment with regional recognition program.
  
  

Projects

• Collaborate with Country/Regional People team to implement HR projects and initiatives.
  
  

Data and Analytics

• Maintain accurate learning and development records and documentation.
• Manage, monitor, and govern Talent Development budget.
• Track learning effectiveness and ROI using KPIs and analytics to measure progress and impact.
• Prepare reports on talent readiness, capability gaps, and program impact.
  
  

Candidate Profile

What we’d love for you to have:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive Talent Development, Culture and Engagement experience with at least 2 years in a manufacturing or plant environment.
• Experience in leading projects end to end, designing and delivering on Learning and Development, Culture, Diversity, and Talent Development related programs.
• Balance between strategic planning and hands on execution.
  
  

We’re interested in you as a person—your attitude, behaviors, and values. If you bring a willingness to learn what’s needed for the role, we’d love to connect with you!

Experience In The Following Areas Would Be An Advantage

• HR related processes e.g. Hiring, Succession planning, etc.
• Excellent Communication skills and Stakeholder Management.
• Problem solving skills.
• Learning agility.
• Analytical skills and attention to details.
• Proactive and Self driven.
  
  

We’ll Provide

• A competitive salary
• Benefits
  
  

What happens next?

We appreciate that your time is precious and applying for a new job can be a lengthy process - so we have committed to replying to your application within 10 working days.

Founded in 1932, Knauf is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of construction materials for interior design, building insulation, and design ceilings.

Knauf entered the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) in 1997. Today, we are a leading player across the region, with operations spanning 15 countries and 19 state-of-the-art production facilities, driven forward by 2,000 high-performing professionals.

Headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, MEASAs reach extends across Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, the GCC, Ghana, Greece, India, Iraq, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Tanzania, Tunisia, and Turkey.

In MEASA, we offer the opportunity to be part of a global family of over 41,500 colleagues in 96 countries, who are dedicated to the same core values, and to a shared sense of purpose. We encourage all our people to shape their own career, with the freedom to stretch their skills and learn new ones.

Driven by an unwavering commitment to quality, innovation and sustainability, we are building more than just exceptional gypsum-based solutions — we’re shaping a future we can all be proud of.

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