Global People & Culture Officer

Queen Elizabeth’s Schools are an equal opportunities employer and is deeply committed to safeguarding our students, ensuring their safety and wellbeing. We expect all staff and members of our community to share this commitment and to promptly report any concerns about a student’s or community member’s safety or wellbeing. Applicants must be willing to undergo rigorous child protection screening, including checks with past employers and providing Police Clearance Certificates from all countries that the applicant has resided in.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an exceptional Global People & Culture Officer to provide expert guidance and operational support across our UAE and India schools. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of a world-class People & Culture function within Queen Elizabeth’s Global Schools.

The successful candidate will be a proactive and knowledgeable HR professional with a strong understanding of employment law, best practice, and the international education sector. You will play a key role in delivering high-quality People & Culture support across multiple campuses, ensuring compliance with local regulations while upholding global standards.

As a key member of the Global People & Culture team, you will support the full employee lifecycle from recruitment and onboarding to employee relations, performance management, and professional development contributing to a culture of excellence, collaboration, and care.

The Role

Strategic & Global Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of the Global People & Culture strategy aligned to the vision of Queen Elizabeth’s Global Schools
• Act as a trusted partner to leadership, providing insights on workforce planning, talent retention, engagement, and organisational effectiveness
• Champion organisational culture and values, embedding these into all people processes across campuses
• Strengthen employer branding to attract and retain high-quality international and local talent

Recruitment and Onboarding

• Manage the end-to-end recruitment process for teaching and non-teaching roles
• Support hiring managers with candidate screening, shortlisting, and interview coordination
• Oversee onboarding processes, including offer letters, contracts, and induction programmes
• Ensure all recruitment activities comply with local labour laws and internal policies

Policy and Compliance

• Support the development, review, and implementation of People & Culture policies and procedures
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee records in line with data protection standards
• Ensure compliance with UAE labour law; knowledge of Indian labour law is an advantage
• Support internal and external audits and regulatory requirements

Employee Relations and Well-being

• Provide guidance to staff and managers on policies, procedures, and employment matters
• Act as a first point of contact for employee queries and concerns, ensuring timely and sensitive resolution
• Support employee wellbeing initiatives, including wellness programmes and engagement activities
• Assist with disciplinary, grievance, and performance-related processes

Performance Management

• Support the implementation and administration of the performance management framework
• Guide managers on goal setting, performance reviews, and development planning
• Monitor probation periods and ensure timely reviews and confirmations

Learning and Development

• Identify training needs and support delivery of professional development initiatives
• Coordinate workshops, CPD programmes, and training sessions
• Maintain training records and ensure completion of mandatory training (e.g. safeguarding)

HR Operations and Administration

• Maintain accurate HR systems, records, and employee data
• Prepare reports and provide insights to support decision-making
• Support payroll processes by ensuring accurate data on attendance, leave, and benefits
• Administer employee benefits, including insurance and end-of-service entitlements

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders across academic and operational teams
• Liaise with external partners, including recruitment agencies, insurers, and legal advisors
• Act as an ambassador for the organization’s values, promoting a positive and inclusive culture

Local Hiring Compliance

• Support localisation initiatives in line with country specific legal and cultural requirements
• Monitor hiring targets and reporting to ensure compliance with national workforce frameworks
• Partner with relevant authorities and platforms to attract local talent
• Ensure fair, inclusive, and compliant hiring and promotion practices
• Support the development of a culturally responsive and inclusive workforce

The Person

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience)
• HR-related qualification (e.g. CIPD) is desirable
• Minimum of 3 years’ HR experience, preferably within an international or school environment
• Strong knowledge of UAE labour laws, regulations, and HR compliance requirements
• Knowledge of Indian labour laws is an added advantage
• Proven experience in payroll management, ideally using Oracle HRMS
• Experience across core HR functions including recruitment, employee relations, and People & Culture policy development
• Proficient in HR systems and Microsoft Office applications (e.g. Oracle, Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Personal Qualities

• Strong understanding of working within a multicultural environment, with a commitment to inclusion and diversity
• Flexible and composed under pressure, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively
• Proactive, solutions-focused, and passionate about building and developing a strong People & Culture function
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships at all levels
• High level of discretion and professionalism when handling sensitive information