Senior Recruitment Specialist - UAE Nationals Only

Role Overview

Senior Recruitment Specialist at Etihad Airways, based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. This role is restricted to UAE nationals only.

Company Overview

Etihad Airways is the UAE's national airline, operating from its hub in Abu Dhabi. The organization is pursuing its "Journey 2030" ambition to double its fleet, expand its network, and grow its workforce for a new era of excellence.

Role Purpose

Manage the direction and delivery of recruitment activities in partnership with the talent acquisition team, hiring managers, and business stakeholders. Design and execute recruitment plans to attract, assess, and secure top UAE national talent, build strong national talent pipelines, ensure strong candidate experience, and support Etihad's talent acquisition strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Recruitment Activities

• Manage recruitment-related activities including sourcing, screening, shortlisting, interviewing, and assessing candidates using relevant assessment tools.

Stakeholder Management

• Partner with hiring managers and business stakeholders to understand talent needs and define candidate profiles.
• Act as a trusted advisor throughout the hiring process.

External Partnerships

• Develop and manage relationships with academic institutions, government partners, and talent networks to strengthen sourcing channels.
• Enhance Etihad's recruitment reach through external partnerships.

Event Management

• Plan and coordinate recruitment events including career fairs, university engagements, and talent attraction initiatives.
• Strengthen talent pipelines and promote Etihad as an employer of choice.

Assessment & Selection

• Lead the design and execution of assessment and selection processes for UAE national programmes.
• Ensure processes are efficient and aligned with hiring requirements.

Employer Branding

• Assist with employer branding initiatives specific to UAE national recruitment in collaboration with the Employer Branding team.

Metrics & Data

• Monitor recruitment metrics and analyse hiring data to evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment efforts.
• Prepare reports and insights to support recruitment planning and continuous improvement.

Qualifications & Experience

• Three to six years of recruitment experience, preferably within a large organization with a strong focus on UAE national recruitment.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• Professional certification such as CIPD, SHRM, or PHR is a plus.
• Demonstrated expertise in sourcing, assessment, and selection methods tailored to meet operational requirements and regulatory standards.

Skills & Competencies

• Proficiency in recruitment technologies and tools.
• Ability to utilise data and analytics to inform decision-making and improve talent acquisition outcomes.
• Fluency in both Arabic and English.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Additional Information

• On-site position based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates at the Etihad Airways Center (EAC).
• Application deadline is 24 August 2026.