United Kingdom
With over twenty-three years of experience as a seasoned International Senior HR Manager/Director, I bring expertise in the High-Tech, Telecom, IT, NGO, and Government sectors, with a strong focus on B2B/B2C dynamics across the MEA region. My career has been marked by strategic leadership in HR business partnering, employee relations, and organizational development. I have successfully navigated complex landscapes, driven change management initiatives, and leveraged my deep understanding of business acumen to achieve transformative outcomes. Key Achievements: Harmonized legal and HR practices in the UAE and Qatar for Nokia & Alcatel-Lucent, saving Nokia over €76K in external legal costs and streamlining operations. Achieved 97% employee acceptance, the highest in the MEA region. Nationalization and Recruitment: Implemented the Nitaqat program in Saudi Arabia, achieving a 23% boost in recruitment and a 30% increase in Saudi national hires within six months through strategic campaigns and mentorship initiatives. Employee Retention and Engagement: Introduced comprehensive retention strategies, resulting in an 11% reduction in voluntary turnover and €150,000 savings in recruitment and training costs within one year. HR Operational Efficiency: Led the 'Automation and Digitization in IMEA' project, yielding a 35% enhancement in HR operational efficiency through the development of crucial tools and streamlined employee relations and service activities. Legal Compliance and Cost Savings: Managed the transition of 500+ employees to new fixed-term contracts during the 2022 UAE Labour Law change, securing 100% employee acceptance and saving Nokia €61K in external legal expenses through effective communication and support. From navigating the challenges of high-risk rating countries like Afghanistan to spearheading the integration of Alcatel-Lucent into Nokia and leading HR transformation efforts in the UAE, I consistently deliver exceptional results. I am committed to continuous learning and growth, and I seek to contribute to Nokia's vision of creating technology that connects the world. I am also committed to learning and growing as a professional and a person, and I seek to contribute to Nokia's vision of creating technology that connects the world.
• Guided diversity initiatives through C-level sponsorship in all Business Groups (BGs), establishing accountability for unconscious bias training, inclusive hiring practices, upskilling, launching a female graduate trainee program in MEA, maintaining pay equity, mentoring, inclusive policies, employee resource groups, and collaboration with UN Women. These efforts led to achieving an 83.03% score in the 2023 Bloomberg Gender Equality Index and increasing diversity hires by 20% over two years. • Successfully introduced a focused leadership development initiative in Mobile Networks (BG), resulting in an 8% increase in internal promotions by aligning with managers to map key roles and craft a detailed succession strategy. • Spearheaded the implementation of Nitaqat in Saudi Arabia, achieving a 23% boost in recruitment and a 30% increase in Saudi national hires within six months through the orchestration of an exclusive LinkedIn recruitment campaign, establishment of a graduate training program, mentorship initiatives, leadership courses, and flexible work arrangements. • Implemented comprehensive employee retention and engagement strategies within Network Implementation (BG), resulting in a notable 11% reduction in voluntary turnover and substantial savings of €150,000 in recruitment and training costs within one year. • Acted as a certified Nokia HR ethics and compliance investigator, achieving a 95% resolution rate for workplace conflicts, improving employee relations, and reducing the average resolution time by 30%. • Successfully implemented a performance management system, increasing the completion rate of performance appraisals to 99% and ensuring equitable calibration while minimizing bias through training, decreasing the gender pay gap by 15% within two years. • Supported the change journey for people managers through a global (HCM) solution, resulting in a 30% increase in efficiency in people processes. • Managed and supervised the full employee cycle.
• Ensured Smooth Legal Compliance: Led a seamless transition of 500+ employees to new fixed-term contracts during the 2022-23 UAE Labour Law change, securing 100% employee acceptance and saving €61K in legal expenses through effective communication. • Amplified Employee Engagement: Organized regular town hall meetings and open forums, boosting employee participation and feedback by 24%, and fostering transparency and trust. • Optimized Compensation & Benefits: Analyzed trends and strategically adjusted offerings, achieving a 15% improvement in employee retention. • Streamlined HR Operations: Achieved a 21% improvement in HR efficiency through automated reporting and cost-saving initiatives. • Strengthened Employee Relations: Successfully managed complex workplace disputes, grievances, and disciplinary cases, ensuring fair resolutions while maintaining compliance with labor laws. Implemented proactive engagement strategies, reducing employee complaints by 35% and fostering a culture of trust and transparency. • Navigated Restructuring: Supported the business in rightsizing and restructuring, attaining annual layoff targets while achieving zero litigation cases and protecting the company's reputation.
• Led as the CHR for Nokia MEA Headquarters in the UAE: Oversaw operations across Dubai and Abu Dhabi (Freezone & Mainland), managing a diverse workforce representing 50+ nationalities. • Harmonized HR Practices: Successfully achieved legal and HR harmonization of Nokia and (former) Alcatel-Lucent in the UAE in 2018, making it the first country in the MEA region to accomplish consolidation. By managing the acquisition internally rather than engaging an external legal firm, I saved significant legal costs and achieved the highest employee acceptance rate in MEA (97%), resulting in over €76K in savings. • Policy & Cost Optimization: Developed a new country policy aligned with labor law and global HR strategies, reducing costs by 34% and enhancing employee satisfaction. • Enhanced Onboarding: Played a key role in streamlining the onboarding process by creating comprehensive induction programs, which reduced onboarding time by 23% and ensured smooth integration of new hires. • Seamless Acquisition Integration: Successfully integrated the Comptel acquisition, saving £6K and achieving 100% employee acceptance. • Boosted Employee Engagement and Well-Being: As a Country Management Team member, contributed to the uplift of team morale through targeted engagement initiatives and well-being programs. • Ensured Flawless Compliance: Managed internal and external HR audits with zero findings, maintaining exceptional standards of legal compliance. Strengthened Employee Relations: Fostered a positive and transparent work environment by proactively addressing employee concerns and mediating conflict resolution, resulting in a 20% increase in employee satisfaction and a significant reduction in workplace grievances. • Supported Efficient Rightsizing & Restructuring: Led rightsizing and restructuring efforts, achieving annual layoff targets while avoiding litigation, reducing associated costs, and protecting the company’s reputation with zero litigation cases.
• Developed employee policies and procedures for the company for the first time: Designed and implemented policies to align with business objectives, ensuring compliance with local labor laws and improving operational efficiency. Collaborated with leadership to ensure effective communication and adherence across the organization. • Conducted end-to-end recruitment activities: Managed the full recruitment cycle, from placing ads to onboarding new hires. Worked with hiring managers to define role requirements, attract top talent, and ensure timely recruitment to meet business needs. • Managed all administrative tasks and office responsibilities: Oversaw daily office operations, including handling correspondence, organizing meetings, managing office supplies, and maintaining office equipment. Acted as a point of contact for employees and management on administrative issues, ensuring smooth office functioning. Managed a team of 2: Led a small HR team, providing support on recruitment, administrative tasks, and employee relations. Delegated tasks efficiently to align team performance with company objectives while encouraging professional growth.
Higher education break. MSc. in HRM, UK
• Managed all HR administration activities: Oversaw recruitment, expat and local contracts, payroll, policies, and benefits administration, working closely with the Head of HR to ensure efficient HR operations across the organization. Managed a team of 6 HR administrators. • Led the end-to-end hiring process: Coordinated recruitment efforts from job requisition to onboarding, including screening, interviewing, negotiating offers, and conducting induction programs for new hires, ensuring a smooth and timely integration into the company culture. • Acted as the central point of contact for HR administration: Fostered effective communication and served as a liaison with other departments and external vendors, ensuring seamless support and addressing organizational needs. • Awarded ‘Best Employee of the Year’: Recognized for exceptional HR administration contributions, including process optimization, effective communication, and aligning HR practices with business goals.
• Led on-the-job training initiatives for staff and stakeholders: Spearheaded the development and delivery of training programs tailored to meet the needs of both internal staff and external stakeholders. Managed a team of 6 individuals, overseeing the creation of content, scheduling, and logistics. By fostering a learning environment, I enhanced team performance and ensured stakeholders were equipped with the necessary skills to meet program objectives, leading to a measurable increase in operational efficiency. • Organized and conducted workshops, seminars, and large-scale meetings: Successfully coordinated and executed a series of high-impact workshops, seminars, and meetings involving community representatives, NGOs, and government departments. These initiatives served as key platforms for knowledge exchange, aligning stakeholders around shared goals and strategies. By engaging a diverse range of participants, I built strong relationships and partnerships, ensuring collaborative efforts in the program's success and increasing its visibility and effectiveness across key sectors.