Dubai, United Arab Emirates
With 20 years of international experience across both in-house and contingent recruitment, I am a meticulous and versatile Talent Acquisition Director specializing in full life-cycle recruitment. I bring a self-sufficient, analytical mindset with strong business acumen, sound judgment, and a proven track record in leading and modernizing in-house resourcing functions. A results-driven and value-creating leader, I am passionate about delivering high-quality service and driving transformational change within complex, global, and fast-paced environments. My career spans multiple sectors including Oil & Gas, technical engineering, civil construction, property development, and FMCG. I have successfully delivered and managed recruitment solutions and high-volume contracts across the UK, Europe, the US, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. I serve as a trusted advisor to the business and engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels. Recognized for my ability to challenge constructively, solve problems under pressure, and maintain a strategic view while managing operational excellence, I consistently contribute to organizational success through innovative and scalable talent strategies. Recruitment Specialties: Change Management - Part of Centre of Excellence Function (CoE) Implementation of Service Level Agreements (SLA's) HR Project implementation Full Business Recruitment Team Management (upto 20+ personnel) Implementation of policy & procedure adjustments & enhancement Stakeholder management (Locals & Expatriate) Strong knowledge of Recruitment 'best practices' Full Life Cycle Recruitment and Retention Employee Relation & Mobilization Succession Planning High volume contract management Psychometric testing accredited - (Thomas International) Hiring strategy & Talent Pool growth experience. Pre-hire testing and validation Offer & Employment contract HR Generalist activities Background verification Benefit enrolment assistance Database management and documentation improvement ATS implementation HR Project Management AI utilization in recruitment Recruitment software experience: iCIMS - (Internet Collaborative Information Management System) Talos 360 Recruitment SAP SuccessFactors Oracle DarwinBox Courses: Thomas International : Accredited assessor - Personal Performance Assessment (PPA) ICS Learn - CIPD level 5 Diploma in Human Resource Management ICS Learn - ILM Level 5 Cert. in Leadership & Management - (Pursuing)
I currently oversee the Talent Acquisition function at the group level, leading strategic recruitment initiatives across all business units and regions. In this executive role, I am responsible for aligning talent strategies with organizational goals, driving operational efficiency, and ensuring consistency in recruitment standards across the company. My remit spans multiple geographies and sectors, requiring close collaboration with senior leadership & board members to attract, engage, and retain top talent that supports the group's long-term growth. • Operating from our Dubai headquarters. • Serve as a key member of our Group Centre of Excellence (CoE) team, driving strategic initiatives and championing best-practice implementation across the organization. • Report directly to the CHRO and CEO, ensuring alignment of talent acquisition and HR strategies with overarching business objectives. • Lead and mentor a team of 20+ HR and talent professionals, providing strategic guidance, coaching, and support to drive performance and development
Arabian Construction Company (ACC) is a leading privately owned Tier 1 Construction Contractor in the MENA region. Operating for over 50 years, with over 30,000 employees. http://www.accgroup.com • Based in a hybrid role between Abu Dhabi/Dubai HQ, I am responsible for the management & supervision of our MENA recruitment operations • Part of the regional Excellence (CoE) team. • Report directly to the Group HR Director, with dotted-line accountability to the COO and CEO • Successfully implemented Darwinbox, a company-wide Applicant Tracking System (ATS), streamlining end-to-end recruitment processes. • Leading the rollout of several strategic HR initiatives, including a comprehensive onboarding/induction program, a Diversity & Inclusion framework, and a refreshed Employee Value Proposition (EVP). • Mentor & coach, a team of HR/Talent personnel. • Lead the HR project management and recruitment initiatives team, driving innovation and operational efficiency. • Championing the use of AI in recruitment, leveraging technology to enhance talent acquisition effectiveness and candidate experience.
Quorn Foods is a global market leader in meat alternative foods with nearly 4 billion meals served since 1985. Headquartered in Stokesley, North Yorkshire, in the U.K. The company employs 1,000+ people and exports to 19 countries around the world, including Australia, South Africa, Sweden, Germany, the Philippines and the USA. We have clear Ambition to provide – 8 Billion servings in 2030, while being a Net +positive business, through our market leading Quorn and Cauldron brands. • The purpose of my role is to be responsible for developing and managing talent acquisition and recruitment processes and strategies across the group. • Building our employer brand to attract high calibre employees and utilize technology to deliver an effective recruitment process. • This is primarily a UK focused role as well as supporting the European and US market.
ACC (Arabian Construction Company) is a leading privately owned Tier 1 Construction Contractor in the MENA region. Operating for over 50 years, with over 30,000 employees and an annual turnover of over $1 Billion Dollars. Specialities:- Infrastructure & civil works construction, Oil & Gas and industrial plants construction. • My role within ACC is based in the HQ office where I am responsible for the management & supervision of our In-house Recruitment Dept (x8 Consultants & x2 Resourcer's). • Responsible for full manpower/staff planning for the entire company, managing the life cycle of end-end recruitment. • Focal point for all line managers regarding the status of their manpower/staff requirements. • Co-ordinate daily with board members on project manpower requirements. • Present weekly & monthly forecast reports to management. • Implement strong processes & procedures to ensure the project has transparency on activities. • Improve the current SLA's amongst the business • Implement new recruitment Best Practice • Utilise various recruitment methods & strategies to locate qualified candidates including direct sourcing, print media, employee and non employee referrals, internet recruiting with different search engines and resume databases. • Work closely with C&B Dept. with regards to Employment Contracts. • Monitor performance of local & overseas agents • Work closely with the HR Director regarding all HR & Recruitment related issues. • Implement new on-boarding hiring process documents. • Drive & grow our LinkedIn home page through campaigns & various traffic drivers, along with aligning all managers personal LinkedIn pages to ensure collaboration amongst the business leaders. • Managed the recruitment and on-boarding activities of over 700+ Professional Engineers to date • Reduced agency hires to zero with correct alignment of consultant capability, and through education to the business.
AkzoNobel, headquartered in Amsterdam, with approx. 45,000 people in around 80 countries. A leading global paints and coatings company and a major producer of speciality chemicals. • My role within AkzoNobel is based in the HQ office where I am responsible to lead & manage a team of x3 Recruiters & x2 Resoucer's across the GCC • I manage the entire recruitment life cycle, and running of the department across the Middle East & Africa. • Discussing and agreeing with stakeholders the recruitment plan & delivery times regarding vacant positions. • Providing periodic updates on progress and advice on sourcing channels and highlighting expected costs. • Utilising cost effective channels in sourcing candidates. • Building and maintaining relationships with all stakeholders across the region. • Implement strong processes, policies & procedures. • Being part of the Centre of Excellence (CoE) team, and supporting with Change Management across different business units. • Managing our external agency costs. Managing the existing PSL list we have regionally and internationally. • Organising and attending employment fairs and exhibitions, and liaising with universities’ career centres. • Arranging and conducting competency based and behavioural interviews and providing feedback reports. • Travel amongst the GCC region to aid & assist HR Managers role out new employment schemes. • Assessing candidates using various psychometric tests (PPA), ability tests, assessment centre's, & relevant technical tests. • Preparing, communicating & negotiating the offer with selected candidates in conjunction with the HR Managers. • Liaising with the HR admin on contract preparation and related documents. • Generate reports on recruitment activities and progress across the region on weekly, Monthly basis to senior management. • Reduced the external agency usage to Zero, saving the business circa $100,000K per annum.
Amec Foster Wheeler (www.amecfw.com) designs, delivers and maintains strategic and complex assets for its customers across the global energy and related sectors. With pro-forma 2013 annualised scope revenues of £5.5 billion and over 40,000 employees in more than 50 countries, the company operates across the whole of the oil and gas industry – from production through to refining, processing and distribution of derivative products – and in the mining, clean energy, power generation, pharma, environment and infrastructure markets. • My role within Amec Foster Wheeler was based in client office & I was to manage and lead a team of upto x20 recruitment & mobilisation professionals which were across 6 countries for 2 major O&G projects within the UAE. •The recruitment activities of 500+ Professional Engineers from all levels for both ZADCO UZ750 & ZADCO Brownfield project. • Work very closely with the key project stakeholders, Exxon Mobil & ZADCO Senior Management to co-ordinate project manpower requirements as well as present weekly & monthly forecast to them regarding for the growth of the organisation. • Implement strong processes and procedures amongst the mobilisation, global mobility, HR & recruitment team to ensure the project has transparency on activities. • Report in the form of Excel spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations to the project management team & stakeholders on a fortnightly & monthly basic on the status and activities for the entire projects. • Work closely with senior management in our international locations such as China, Korea, Singapore, Batam & Italy to ensure they receive the required workforce. • Deputise for the Regional Recruitment Manager where required and support the utilisation of Amec Foster Wheeler’s Global Recruitment System.