People Partner Trainee - Emiratisation

Role Overview

People Partner Trainee - Emiratisation at Chalhoub Group, based in the United Arab Emirates.

Company Overview

Chalhoub Group is a luxury retail hybrid company that has operated in the Middle East for over seven decades. The Group curates a portfolio of over 10 owned brands and distributes over 400 international names across luxury fashion, beauty, jewellery, watches, eyewear, and art de vivre categories. It operates more than 950 stores, online platforms, and mobile apps across eight countries in the Middle East, with a presence in Latin America, and employs over 16,000 talented professionals. The Group is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, is a member of the United Nations Global Compact, a signatory of the Women's Empowerment Principles, and has pledged to reach Net Zero by 2040.

Role Purpose

As a People Partner Trainee, you will gain hands-on exposure to the employee journey and discover how People teams partner with the business to create a positive and engaging workplace. You will work across recruitment, onboarding, employee engagement, store visits, and UAE National initiatives to build a strong foundation for a future career within the People function.

Key Responsibilities

Recruitment & Onboarding

• Support coordination between Talent Acquisition, People Partners, and line managers throughout recruitment activities.
• Attend selected interviews and recruitment discussions to build understanding of the hiring process.
• Support new joiners throughout their onboarding journey and follow up on required activities.

Employee Experience & Engagement

• Participate in store visits and employee check-ins to understand the employee experience first-hand.
• Gather feedback from employees and line managers to identify opportunities to strengthen the employee experience.
• Support employee engagement, recognition, and Nationalization initiatives.
• Attend selected employee meetings and exit discussions for learning and exposure.

UAE National Community & Support

• Build relationships with UAE National associates and trainees across the business, gathering feedback and supporting regular follow-ups.
• Encourage UAE National participation in company activities and engagement opportunities.
• Support communication with UAE National representatives across different areas of the business.
• Contribute fresh ideas to strengthen the employee experience and UAE National community.

Records, Reporting & Coordination

• Maintain trainee progress records and follow up on agreed actions.
• Maintain accurate employee information, trackers, and follow-up records.
• Consolidate data and prepare simple reports, presentations, and updates.
• Coordinate with Talent Acquisition, Learning & Development, HR Operations, and other People teams when required.

General Responsibilities

• Take ownership of assigned activities and follow through from start to completion.

Qualifications & Experience

• UAE National with a Family Book.
• A genuine interest in Human Resources, People & Culture, and employee experience.
• An interest in developing a long-term career across People Partnering or wider HR functions.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong communication skills and confidence interacting with different people.
• An approachable personality and positive energy.
• Curiosity and a willingness to learn.
• Openness to coaching, feedback, and continuous development.
• Strong organization and attention to detail.
• The ability to build relationships with employees, managers, and different stakeholders.
• Adaptability and comfort working within a fast-paced retail environment.
• Creativity and the confidence to contribute new ideas.
• A strong sense of ownership, reliability, and follow-through.
• Comfort working with trackers, employee information, and basic reporting.
• Willingness to spend time with employees across both stores and offices.

Additional Information

The Group offers a competitive benefits package which includes healthcare, child education contribution, remote and flexible working policies, and exclusive employee discounts. You will have enriching experiences, learning and development opportunities, and exposure to different assignments within your role or through internal mobility. Assessments and interviews should be completed independently and without assistance from generative AI tools.