HR Manager

Job description / Role

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 school's 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 departments' 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 with 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.

Skills

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 and 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 2 to 3 years' experience working in an 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.

About the Company

GEMS Education is a pioneering education company with an international network of award winning K-12 schools. Over the past 55 years GEMS has grown from one school to being a truly global company with one incredible mission – to make quality education available to every student. Over 20,000 education professionals unlock the potential of over 250,000 students across 14 countries each and every day, preparing children of all ages for real world success.