HR Manager

About the Role:

GEMS Wellington International School is seeking to appoint an experienced HR Manager with experience leading the HR function in a school setting including recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, employee engagement and the full employee life cycle.

The position reports directly to the Principal/CEO and functionally to the School Support Centre and HR Business Partner. The HR Manager will manage and support day-to-day operations along with the administration of HR policies, procedures and programmes.

Key Accountabilities:

The School HR Manager will be the first point of contact for all school staff on all HR matters; duties will cover the full spectrum of the employee life cycle.

Recruitment and On-boarding

• Provide support to the Principal/CEO in the recruitment of all school-based positions.
• Liaise with School Support Centre HR recruitment team for teaching positions and complete all administrative tasks related to the teacher recruitment process.
• Manage the full process for the recruitment of non-teaching positions including advertising, shortlisting and screening candidates, setting up interviews and communicating with candidates throughout the recruitment process.
• Responsible for recruitment and onboarding of Emirati staff, in line with the schools Emiratisation targets. All related processes and procedures to be completed within the mandated timeframes.
• Prepare employment contracts using D365 in compliance with GEMS policies and procedures and UAE Labour Law regulations.
• Coordinate the preparation of the Ministry of Labour offer letter and employment contract process with the school designated Government Relations staff member. 
• Liaise with the MSO to book travel for new employees and maintain regular communication with new hires, including sending Welcome Email and Handbook, answering questions, and conducting new hire inductions. 
• Process new hire paperwork including bank account forms, medical insurance and access card requests.
• Design and conduct new employee orientations to explain school policies, compensation and benefit programs. 

 HR Operations

• Manage and support day-to-day operations of all HR related matters in the school.
• Manage the administration of HR policies, procedures and programs.
• Provide advice, assistance, and follow-up on school policies, procedures and documentation.
• Manage employee filing system maintaining up-to-date soft copy and electronic versions for all school employees. Ensure files contain all relevant information and are maintained in an organised manner.
• Administer and explain benefits to employees, serve as liaison between employees and insurance carriers.
• Produce NOCs, salary certificates and salary transfer letters using D365, in English and Arabic as required on a timely basis. 
• Develop and maintain HRIS database, employee files and records.
• Update employee handbook as required.
• Support ERP project team with input on HR systems, policies and requirements.
• Track approval process whenever other department’s signatures are required, or when D365 system approvals are required. 
• Run reports from D365 as required by school management, or when specified by the HR Area Manager/ HR Cluster Lead, or other areas of the business on a timely basis. 
• Draft routine correspondence, letters and memos as required by management.
• Assist and prepare statistical summaries and reports for school and GEMS Corporate office.
• Attend staff meetings and serve on committees as required.
• Engage with other School HR Managers in a productive and solutions-focused manner, sharing best practice ideas and positive ways of working.
• Complete any ad-hoc HR project work as and when required.

Employee Relations

• Coordinate the resolution of specific policy-related and procedural problems and inquiries.
• Perform specific research/investigation into employee relations issues as requested and directed by Management.
• Provide support to HR Area managers and HR Cluster leads as required for all employee relations matters.
• Advise school management and staff on UAE Labour law regulations and compliance.
• Be the first point of contact for all employees on employee relations issues
• Provide guidance and support to employees as and when required.
• Be a positive role model for all school employees, acting as an employee engagement champion in school.

 Leavers and Off-boarding Process

• Manage the separations process from start to finish will all employees following resignation or termination.
• Provide Principal with guidance on Labour Law regulations in regard to separations processes.
• Liaise with employees identified as leavers to collate exit documentation required and to coordinate clearance procedures.
• Conduct an exit interview (online and face-to-face) with all leavers, gather exit interview data on a regular basis and present this to the Principal for review

This exciting opportunity requires the following key competencies and skills and these will be assessed during the recruitment process:

• Effective communication skills
• Customer service approach
• Able to influence colleagues in a diverse cultural environment
• Deliver results in a timely manner with highest degree of efficiency
• Collaborate with members of leadership team to deliver key HR initiatives
• Attention to detail & able to prioritise key tasks
• Excellent organisation and interpersonal skills
• Credible experience of managing employee relations

 Qualifications & Experience:

• A relevant degree or diploma
• At least a minimum of 2 – 3 years’ experience working in a HR generalist capacity within a school
• Excellent organisation and interpersonal skills.
• Experience working in a multi-cultural environment is a plus.
• Knowledge in general HR office procedures, policies and methods
• Experience of working on HR Management Systems

GEMS Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all of its students and staff. A UK-enhanced DBS or equivalent police check is a pre-requisite for all appointments.