HR Business Partner

Founded in 1984, APCO Worldwide is an award-winning, independently owned global communication and business strategy firm with offices in major cities throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. APCO combines a global perspective with local expertise to help clients around the world manage challenges, opportunities, perceptions and reputations. APCO clients include corporations and governments; industry associations and nonprofit organizations; and six of the top 10 companies on the Fortune 500. The firm is a majority women-owned business.

The HR Business Partner role will collaborate with regional management and the global HR team to provide full operational and strategic HR support as required by the business, for Saudi and Jordan's offices.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The HR Business Partner role will collaborate with regional management and the global HR team to provide full operational and strategic HR support as required by the business, for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Jordan’s offices

• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned internal client and operations groups with a focus on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Jordan to deliver an excellent HR service


• Advise managers and employees on local operational and talent management standards and legal compliance


• Coach employees and line managers in effective people management practices


• Manage HR relevant budgets, monthly payroll and compensation and benefits for the MENA region; create and maintain salary and benefits sheets; assist with employee questions


• Administer the our benefits programs while ensuring competitive and cost-effective regional compensation and benefits programs


• Design and deliver reports with analysis based on business senior executive team needs


• Ensure company’s compliance with relevant country and legislative laws, DHA, HAAD; including monitoring of relevant regulations, legislation and other benefits trends


• Coach and mentor, the HR Assistants in Dubai, Jordan and Saudi’s office


• Deliver effective on-boarding (including employment visas) and exit experience


• Manage intercompany transfers in coordinate with global HR team and Global Mobility


• Deliver employee training and support on-boarding events (Academies)


• Lead delivery of HR projects and change initiatives in support global HR strategy


• Proactively collaborate with other HRBPs to share best practice and knowledge across the wider team


• Act as conduit between finance, HR, Admin and Resource management to ensure strong collaboration


• Perform ad hoc duties as assigned by the HR Director/business

Competencies

• Excellent analytical, Excel and PP skills


• Excellent communication skills


• Excellent organization skills


• Demonstrates teamwork and collaboration skills


• Proven attention to detail


• Demonstrate initiative skills


• Interest in learning the business, understanding key stakeholders and business strategy

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field or equivalent relevant work experience in an HR role


• At least 6 – 8 years of HR experience in a commercial environment


• Prior experience working in a high growth matrixed global organization such as advertising, PR, consulting, or financial services


• Strong understanding and knowledge of employment practices, including compensation and benefits, in the MENA region


• Demonstrated ability to consult, influence, and partner with senior leaders


• Passion for people, data, and process improvement


• Forward planning approach, commercially astute


• Comfortable dealing with ambiguity


• Proactive, highly motivated and results focused

Work Conditions

The physical abilities needed to perform the duties of this position, in addition to the office climate:

• Office environment is general office setting


• Must reside in Dubai or be willing to relocate


• Some travel may be required


• Willing to work additional or irregular hours as needed and allowed by local regulations

About APCO in the Middle East and North Africa

Home to some of the fastest growing economies in the world, the Middle East and North Africa region has a pivotal role to play in driving global conversations – from environmental policies to religion and pop culture. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are clear leaders in this equation, although the wave of innovation continues to transcend borders.

APCO launched its regional operations in 2006 in Dubai. Growing from a team of less than 10 consultants, APCO today has over 200 people from 26 countries working in teams across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Manama and Kuwait and our projects take us to countries across the region and the Levant. APCO was awarded Best Agency in the Middle East by PRWeek in 2019 and Best Agency to Work for: EMEA Network by PRovoke Media in 2017 and 2019.

With a portfolio of over 100 clients, APCO’s MENA offices deliver public relations and digital communication support across health, food, consumer & retail, finance, technology, real estate & hospitality, non-profit and public affairs practices. The region also offers specialized services, created for the Middle East, such as our Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model and our Compass and License to Operate offerings.

In addition, APCO’s global AI Comms Lab, a first-of-its-kind innovation center which utilizes artificial intelligence to build and protect the reputations of major global brands, governments and organizations is driven from the Dubai office.

From helping governments connect with the private sector and civil society, to supporting the Pope’s historic visit to the region and launching iconic brands and destinations, we understand the nuances of the MENA region and pride ourselves on making an impact.