HR Partner Lead Middle East (United Arab Emirates region)

Role Overview

Regional HR Partner Lead Middle East (United Arab Emirates region) at Vanderlande. This role leads the regional HR Partner organization across the Middle East, serving as a trusted advisor to business leaders on people strategy and organizational effectiveness.

Company Overview

Vanderlande is a global organization with regional operations across the Middle East. The role is part of the Global HR organization and reports to the global Head of Regional HR Global Services.

Role Purpose

To lead the people agenda across the Middle East region, supporting business leaders in achieving strategic objectives through effective people management and organizational development. This role combines senior HR partnering with hands-on execution of HR cycle topics and ensures that global HR initiatives are translated into impactful regional execution while accounting for local needs and market dynamics.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and develop the regional HR Partner organization across the Middle East.
• Collaborate closely with regional HR teams, Global HRBPs, and HR Functions.

Strategic Partnering & Advisory

• Act as a trusted advisor to business leaders on organizational design, workforce planning, talent management, engagement and succession planning that support business growth.
• Analyze workforce trends and metrics and provide people insights to support business decisions.

People Strategy & Initiatives

• Drive local implementation of Vanderlande's people strategy, its global and regional HR initiatives across the region.
• Lead organizational development and change management initiatives.

Program Execution

• Ensure effective execution of HR processes, policies, and programs, including integration programs such as the Vanderlande Logistics integration.
• Ensure effective execution of talent, performance, rewards, mobility, engagement, DEI, health & wellbeing and learning & development programs.

Compliance & Employee Relations

• Ensure compliance with local labor legislation, regional employment practices and company policies.
• Manage complex employee relations and people-related matters.

Qualifications & Experience

• Significant HR leadership experience within an international environment.
• Proven experience leading and developing HR teams.
• Experience working within Middle Eastern markets with proven knowledge of labor legislation and employment practices in Middle East.
• Experience in change management and driving organizational transformation.
• Preferred: Experience supporting large-scale business growth and transformation within multinational organizations.
• Preferred: Experience within technology, engineering, logistics, manufacturing, or industrial environments.

Skills & Competencies

• Trusted advisor to senior leaders within a complex international organization.
• Strong business acumen and results-oriented mindset.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Ability to effectively work across different cultures and organizational levels.
• Effective cross-cultural communication across organizational levels.

Additional Information

• Travel: 20–40% of your time, depending on business needs and regional priorities.
• Vanderlande is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regards to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status.