Manager - People & Culture (Cluster) - Aldar Education

Role Overview

Manager – People & Culture (Cluster) at Aldar Education, supporting a cluster of schools across Abu Dhabi. This strategic business partner role balances daily operational HR needs with long-term workforce planning and culture-building initiatives.

Company Overview

Aldar Education is the leading education group in Abu Dhabi, providing inclusive and innovative learning that inspires and empowers communities. Starting with one school and 250 students in 2007, Aldar Education has grown to support over 38,000 students across 31 schools with a network of almost 5,000 educators representing over 100 nationalities. The organization offers the broadest choice of curricula and ancillary services including a Teacher Training Academy. Aldar Education's efforts are guided by the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 plan, which aims to build a sustainable knowledge-based economy through premium education, directly supporting the educational goals of Abu Dhabi's government.

Role Purpose

Lead and oversee the HR function across multiple schools within the cluster, partnering with School Principals and senior leadership teams to support all aspects of the employee lifecycle while ensuring alignment with Aldar Education's group-wide People & Culture strategies and compliance standards.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic HR Partnership

• Collaborate with school leadership to design and implement people strategies aligned to school priorities.
• Act as the lead HR business partner for multiple campuses.
• Act as a strategic advisor to Principals on workforce challenges, resourcing, and succession planning.
• Represent assigned campuses in cluster-wide and group-wide People & Culture initiatives and audits.

Talent Acquisition & Onboarding

• Lead end-to-end recruitment, including safer recruitment practices, interviews, and approvals.
• Ensure alignment with approved staffing and budget plans.
• Manage onboarding journeys: pre-arrival communication, ADEK pass and visa processes, induction, and system access.
• Liaise with HQ People & Culture, Public Relations, and Government Relations to ensure full regulatory and immigration compliance.

Performance Enablement & Development

• Coordinate probation reviews and performance appraisal cycles in line with policy.
• Support Principals in identifying and addressing performance concerns.
• Update and align job descriptions with competency frameworks.
• Track and report on professional development and training activity.

Employee Relations & Compliance

• Lead investigations and manage employee relations cases with confidentiality and professionalism.
• Advise on disciplinary matters, grievances, and conduct concerns.
• Escalate high-risk or legal issues to HQ People & Culture and Legal as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee relations records and trackers.
• Ensure full compliance with UAE Labour Law, ADEK regulations, and Aldar Education policies.

HR Operations & Administration

• Oversee day-to-day HR operations including time and attendance, leave, staff files, and system updates.
• Issue employment contracts, contract renewals, salary letters, NOCs, and experience letters.
• Process staff exits, final settlements, and clearance documentation in coordination with HQ Payroll and School Operations.
• Maintain accurate organization charts and staffing reports across campuses.
• Manage HR systems, data accuracy, reporting, and compliance documentation.

Workforce Planning & Retention

• Lead workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, and retention strategies.
• Guide school leaders on employee relations, performance enablement, and policy implementation.

Data Management & Reporting

• Monitor and report key HR KPIs including turnover, absence, Emiratization, recruitment activity, and compliance rates.
• Ensure HR systems reflect accurate headcount and staff movements.
• Provide ad hoc and scheduled reports to HQ People & Culture and school leadership teams.

Engagement, Wellbeing & Inclusion

• Champion employee engagement, wellbeing, inclusion, and Emiratization targets.
• Drive employee engagement through feedback channels, recognition initiatives, and inclusion programs.
• Partner with school leadership teams to address staff wellbeing and morale.
• Support implementation of Aldar Education's diversity and inclusion agenda.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Related industry qualification of graduate level for the assigned functional area(s).
• Recognized HR Qualification and/or professional subscription such as CIPD (desirable).
• Minimum 5 years in HR or Recruitment in any industry.
• Education industry experience is essential.

Skills & Competencies

• Proven knowledge of UAE Labour Law and ADEK/KHDA compliance requirements.
• Advanced computer skills, including Microsoft 365 suite and ERP systems (Oracle, SAP, MS Dynamics).
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills.
• Fluent in English; Arabic is an advantage.
• Organized and detail-oriented.
• Proactive approach to work.
• Skilled in multi-tasking and handling pressure.

Additional Information

Aldar Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Offers of appointment are subject to satisfactory references and police clearance.

Aldar Education is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. The organization is mindful of its national development strategy and encourages UAE Nationals to apply.

This job description is not all-inclusive. Aldar Education reserves the right to amend this job description at any time.