General Manager

Overview of the role

As the General Manager of the Al-Futtaim Automotive Talent Centre (AATC), you will drive the strategic learning, talent, engagement, and performance management agenda for Al-Futtaim Automotive. This pivotal role supports the broader people strategy, ensuring all learning and talent initiatives align with business goals and HR strategy. You will lead a large team, manage the AATC campus in Dubai, and build strong partnerships to deliver world-class capability development and a high-performance culture across the organization.

What you will do

• Lead the design, delivery, and ongoing improvement of core automotive training programs, including technical, sales, after-sales, product, and brand training
• Oversee management and leadership development initiatives to ensure alignment with business priorities and future capability needs
• Champion professional, soft skills, AI, and digital upskilling programs to support organizational readiness and innovation
• Direct induction and onboarding programs to promote rapid integration, engagement, and productivity for new joiners
• Manage learning operations and administration to ensure efficient, high-quality training delivery and full compliance
• Establish and execute robust talent identification, assessment, and development processes
• Drive succession planning for critical roles, ensuring a strong leadership pipeline and effective risk mitigation
• Oversee high-potential talent programs to support career growth, development, and long-term retention
• Collaborate with business leaders and HR to align talent management with workforce planning and organizational design
• Lead initiatives that strengthen organizational culture, enhance employee engagement, and improve wellbeing and overall organizational health
• Oversee the annual performance management cycle, ensuring fair, transparent processes and alignment with Al-Futtaim Group HR standards
• Manage AATC campus operations, develop and motivate the L&D and Talent team, and maintain strategic partnerships with external providers and internal stakeholders

Required skills to be successful

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or related field is preferred
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in learning & development, talent management, or HR leadership roles, with at least 5 years in a senior management capacity
• Proven track record in designing and delivering large-scale learning and talent programs within complex organizations, preferably in the automotive or related sectors
• Experience managing diverse teams and multi-site training operations

About the team

You will lead a diverse Learning & Development and Talent team, promoting collaboration and high performance. The role covers the Automotive division’s L&D, Talent, and Engagement agenda across 8 markets and more than 20 companies, supporting an employee population of 8,000. You will be part of the Automotive HR management team and the wider Al-Futtaim HR community.

What equips you for the role

• Strategic thinking: Ability to align learning and talent strategies with business objectives and the broader people agenda
• Leadership: Inspires, develops, and motivates teams; fosters a culture of collaboration and accountability
• Business acumen: Understands automotive industry trends; translates business needs into effective people solutions
• Stakeholder management: Builds trust and influence across all levels; manages key relationships with internal and external partners
• Program management: Skilled in designing, implementing, and evaluating complex L&D and talent initiatives
• Change leadership: Drives transformation and continuous improvement in learning, talent, and engagement practices
• Communication: Articulate, clear, and persuasive in written and verbal communication; able to engage diverse audiences
• Analytical skills: Uses data and metrics to inform decisions and demonstrate impact
• Integrity and professionalism: Upholds the highest standards of ethics and confidentiality

About Al-Futtaim Automotive

A major division of the UAE-based Al-Futtaim Group of companies, Al-Futtaim Automotive is an industry leader with presence in 10 countries across the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

Our core business activities at Al-Futtaim Automotive include distribution, manufacturing, leasing and aftersales, and we are firmly established as the regional representative of some of the world’s most iconic automotive brands: Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, Volvo and RAM.

We are driven by a customer-centric approach, constantly pushing the boundaries on innovation, quality standards, and value-added service across our vast universe of customers - right from motoring enthusiasts to fleet operators to contractors. Our mission is to become the leader in custom-made mobility solutions by delivering nothing less than world-class omni-channel experiences.

We channel our local expertise and global trust to deliver one of the most comprehensive portfolios of mobility products and solutions, from passenger cars to SUVs, electric vehicles to high-performance motorbikes, commercial vehicles to industrial & construction equipment.

What keeps the company moving forward is a 9000-member strong team, with inspiring possibilities for growth, throughout the career path. This is Al-Futtaim Automotive and we empower talent to move forward.