HR Business Partner

Taaleem is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We hold ourselves to a high standard of effective practices in relation to child protection and we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We expect all staff to share this commitment.

All successful applicants must be willing to undergo enhanced child protection screening appropriate to the post, including various background checks including, receipt of high-quality references, proof of relevant qualifications, identification and police checks, including overseas checks. No member of staff will be able to start until these checks are complete and this process takes, on average, a month.

As part of our founding team, you will play a pivotal role in building a vibrant and inclusive community where the learning of every individual is at the heart of daily life. Guided by the Harrow values, our staff will create an environment in which every pupil is nurtured, challenged, and empowered to achieve their very best.

Harrow International School Dubai is seeking a strategic and results driven HR Business Partner who thrives in a dynamic environment, brings strong stakeholder management skills, and is passionate about supporting a positive, high-performing workplace.

Harrow International School UAE

In 2024, Harrow School entered into a landmark agreement with Taaleem, enabling the establishment of two new Harrow International Schools in the United Arab Emirates. This exciting partnership combines Harrow’s 450-year legacy of exceptional pedagogy with Taaleem’s unwavering commitment to delivering the highest standards of education. The Harrow International Schools UAE will offer world-class education rooted in the Harrow values of courage, honour, humility and fellowship, with a strong focus on preparing students for entry to world-class universities.

With a history dating back to 1572, Harrow’s heritage enriches the daily life of the School’s entire community, developing in pupils, staff, and parents a strong corporate spirit and a shared sense of belonging to something that transcends generations. Equally, Harrow Schools aim to be at the forefront of educational development in the 21st century, using inspiring teaching and coaching techniques, the most up-to-date technology, and top-class facilities and resources. The essence of Harrow is this balance between tradition and innovation, between continuity and change, between the old and the new.

Harrow Schools in the UAE will offer an ambitious curriculum, the highest standards of teaching, child-centred pastoral care, and superb opportunities for leadership and community service.

Job Purpose:

The HR Business Partner acts as the dedicated point of contact for the assigned school, partnering closely with the Principal and Senior Leadership Team to deliver effective people solutions. The role is responsible for driving a positive culture, strong employee experience, leadership capability, and full compliance with Taaleem policies, UAE Labour Law, and Dubai regulatory requirements.

Key Accountabilities:

• Strategic HR Partnership
• Employee Relations & Policy Advisory
• Workforce Planning & Resourcing
• Compensation, Budgeting & Contracts
• Performance & Talent Management
• Compliance & Governance
• Change & Transformation Support
• HR Systems & Data Integrity
• HR Objectives & KPIs

Who Are We Looking For?

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or Human Resources.
• Recognised HR Qualification and/or professional accreditation preferred.

Experience:

• 8+ years’ of generalist HR experience is essential (Recruitment, Performance Management, Compensation & Benefits, Employee Relations, Compliance).
• 5+ years of UAE Labour Law knowledge and experience is essential.
• 5+ Years of HR experience is preferred, supporting key business leaders.
• Education Industry HR experience is preferred.
• Knowledge of the UAE educational regulatory authorities, including but not limited to, KHDA/ADEK is preferred.

Competencies:

• Coaching & advisory: ability to coach and advise key stakeholders on people management solutions and challenges.
• Competent using IT systems, including Microsoft Word/Excel/Outlook, applicant tracking systems, performance management systems, and Oracle.
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills: Ability to balance business needs with HR priorities.

Attributes:

• Strong communication skills and the ability to influence key stakeholders through data story telling.
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced environment while balancing priorities and delivering results on time.

School Values and Behaviours

All staff are expected to conduct themselves in line with the school’s values which are: Courage, Honour, Humility and Fellowship. While the School’s values set out what matters most to us, the behaviours below are intended as a shared set of expectations to refer to, and standards to aspire to, in our dealings with others. They are the practical application of our values.

• COURAGE
• HONOUR
• HUMILITY
• FELLOWSHIP

Application Process

Applications must include an up-to-date CV and a covering letter outlining their suitability against the job description.

Candidates who best meet the requirements outlined in the job description and person specification will be shortlisted. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by our recruitment team regarding the next steps in the selection process.

Equality, diversity and inclusion are values that are important to us at Taaleem. We believe in diversity of thought and actively welcome everyone regardless of their background to bring their valuable and relevant skills to our community.

Note: It is an offence to apply for the role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

This advertisement is posted on behalf of Harrow International School Dubai which is part of the group owned by Taaleem Holdings PJSC and independently operated under a licence to use the Harrow School brand. For further details of the relationship, please see the relationship statement on the harrowdubai.ae website. Accordingly, applicants should be aware that the employer will be part of Taaleem Holdings PJSC’s group and under its control and not Harrow School.