Head of People and Culture

Responsibilities

Job Description

􀁸 Be the primary point of contact for all senior school staff on HR queries, including

contracts, terms and conditions, payroll & pension payment of UAE nationals

􀁸 Support the Director of Organisational Enablement in creating effective people

strategies such as recruitment, attraction and retention

􀁸 Lead and implement the onboarding process for all incoming staff

􀁸 Lead and implement the employee exit processes, liaising with the Operations

teams

􀁸 Present People data and metrics to the board(s)

􀁸 Implement Board decisions into policies, processes and systems

􀁸 Collaborate with all heads of department to align systems across the school

􀁸 Increase Employee engagement and initiate strategies to maintain engagement

Talent Acquisition & Onboarding

􀁸 Develop and implement recruitment strategies to attract the best talent

􀁸 Conduct annual workforce planning in coordination with academic and operations

Department.

􀁸 Forecast staffing needs based on student enrolment trends, faculty turnover, and

curriculum expansion

􀁸 Promote diversity, equity and inclusion in hiring processes

􀁸 Review and update job descriptions (JD) in collaboration with department heads

􀁸 Ensure JD’s are compliant with DGHR and KHDA requirements

􀁸 Oversee Application Tracking System (ATS) building an internal and external talent

pipeline

􀁸 Build relationships with local education institutions to build and Emirati talent

pipeline

􀁸 Ensure RLSE is compliant with international safer recruitment standards

􀁸 Provide monthly data dashboards to leadership and board members

Performance Enablement

􀁸 Update and implement performance management frameworks aligned with the

academic plan, DGHR and KHDA standards

􀁸 Facilitate SMART goal setting and KPI’s across all departments

􀁸 Align business objectives and/or scorecards across the school

􀁸 Track and manage annual, individual ratings to inform workforce planning

􀁸 Mentor and train key stakeholders on managing feedback and positive

communication in relation to performance and underperformance

􀁸 Develop performance-based incentives and rewards and recognition programs

􀁸 Provide regular data dashboards on performance to leadership

HR Operations

􀁸 Manage medical insurance renewal and promote staff wellbeing initiatives

􀁸 Management and reporting of staff time and attendance, including managing the

time and attendance systems

􀁸 Ensure compliance with KHDA and DGHR

􀁸 Oversee maintenance of Central Employee Records and manage periodic audits

􀁸 Continue to build the GRP to manage the full employee lifecycle

􀁸 Oversee end to end management of monthly payroll

􀁸 Coordinate with finance and other departments for annual audits

􀁸 Streamline exit processes and data dashboards Maintaining HR systems and

ensuring they accurately reflect the staffing within the school

􀁸 Participate in leadership meetings in order to share knowledge, best practice and to

ensure consistency with school policy

Employee Relations

􀁸 Support the SLT with investigations and disciplinary management of staff, ensuring

accurate records of cases are kept within confidential employment files

􀁸 Provide advice, counsel and guidance to employees on relevant issues and escalate

to SLT where required

􀁸 Promote and institutionalise RLSE values

􀁸 Ensure staff are aware of KHDA and DGHR codes of conducts

􀁸 Provide support to SLT in managing informal ER cases in accordance with school

policies and standards

􀁸 Any other duties as reasonably expected

Essential Qualities

􀁸 Degree of higher education; or

􀁸 Related industry qualification, of graduate level

􀁸 Recognised HR Qualification and/or professional subscription (eg CIPD) desirable

􀁸 Minimum 8 years in HR or Recruitment in any industry; or 5 years in Generalist HR

within a service related industry

Desirable Qualities

􀁸 Strong knowledge of DGHR Law and UAE Labour Law.

􀁸 Experience of Emiratisation

􀁸 Competent using IT systems, including Microsoft Word/Excel/Outlook.

􀁸 Strong organizational and prioritisation skills.

􀁸 Experience liaising with government bodies in the UAE as well as a working

knowledge of DHA and Immigration requirements and processes.

􀁸 Fluent English communication skills, written and oral (Arabic proficiency is

desirable)

􀁸 Attention to detail with diligent follow up, and able to execute in a timely manner.

􀁸 Skilled in multi-tasking and handling pressure.

􀁸 Forethought and forward planning (particularly as this relates to local Government

compliance matters).

􀁸 Capable of influencing people and talented in networking with cultural sensitivity.

􀁸 Excellent interpersonal skills.

Qualifications

Personal Qualities

􀁸 Maintain high standards of ethics and behavior and observe proper boundaries

appropriate to their professional position.

􀁸 Develop positive, professional relationships with colleagues knowing how and when

to draw on advice and specialist support.

􀁸 Treat all colleagues and stakeholders with dignity, build relationships rooted in

tolerance and respect for the rights and beliefs of others.

􀁸 Demonstrate a positive professional attitude and commitment to RLSE policies and

practices.

􀁸 Embodies the RLSE values

About Rashid and Latifa Schools Establishment:

Established under Law No. (11) of 2022, Rashid and Latifa Schools (RLS) is a unified educational institution that brings together Latifa School for Girls (founded in 1982) and Rashid School for Boys (founded in 1986). Both schools were originally created by Royal Decree of the late Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, with the vision of delivering world-class education to Emiratis and expatriates alike. As two of Dubai’s oldest and most prestigious schools, RLS has educated generations of leaders and influential figures, including His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Women’s Establishment, and Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture. Today, RLS continues this legacy as a modern, integrated institution, dedicated to nurturing excellence and preparing future generations of leaders.

Job Category

Human Resources (Human Resources)

Advertiser

Dubai Government

Educational-level

Master

Required Nationality

UAE Only

Monthly Salary

40001-50000

Schedule-Time

Full time

Job Posting

07/01/2026

Unposting Date

09/03/2026