HR Director: MEA

Human Resources Director: MEA Salary: Competitive and based on experience Location: Egypt Keywords: regional HR leadership, manufacturing plant experience, multinational environment, labour relations, workforce planning, employee relations, talent development, governance, change management, stakeholder engagement

A leading multinational industrial group is seeking a Human Resources Director for the Africa and Middle East region, based in Egypt. This pivotal position offers you the opportunity to shape and deliver the full HR agenda for a complex, diverse workforce of over 1,400 employees across both white-collar and blue-collar populations. As a key member of the local leadership team, your expertise will drive strategic HR initiatives locally in Egypt while providing regional oversight and coordination across multiple countries. You will thrive in an environment that values collaboration, adaptability, and cultural sensitivity, with direct influence on organisational design, talent development, and transformation projects. The role promises exposure to senior stakeholders, cross-country projects, and the chance to make a lasting impact within a supportive and inclusive workplace.

• Play a central role in shaping HR strategy for a major regional hub with significant operational complexity and diversity.
• Enjoy the challenge of balancing hands-on local execution with high-level regional governance across multiple countries.
• Benefit from being part of a collaborative leadership team in a multinational organisation committed to professional growth and knowledge sharing.
  
  

What You'll Do

As Human Resources Director Africa and Middle East, you will be at the heart of both strategic decision-making and day-to-day operations. Your role will involve close partnership with senior leaders to ensure that people strategies are fully integrated into business plans. You will oversee all aspects of human resources management for Egypt’s head office in Cairo as well as its large manufacturing plant in Alexandria. Your remit extends beyond national borders as you coordinate regional HR activities across multiple countries within Africa and the Middle East. Success in this position requires you to balance hands-on involvement in plant-driven contexts with broader oversight responsibilities, ensuring consistent application of group policies while adapting approaches to suit different cultural environments. You will play an instrumental role in supporting transformation initiatives, nurturing talent pipelines, managing industrial relations sensitively, and fostering an inclusive workplace where every employee can thrive.

• Define and implement the local human resources strategy for Egypt, ensuring alignment with business objectives and group policies.
• Act as a trusted partner to the local CEO, leadership team, and plant management by providing expert guidance on all people-related matters.
• Take full ownership of all HR processes including talent acquisition, workforce planning, performance management, compensation and benefits, employee relations, training, leadership development, and succession planning.
• Manage industrial relations proactively by building positive relationships with unions and local authorities while ensuring compliance with Egyptian labour law.
• Lead and develop the local HR team across both office-based and manufacturing environments to foster a culture of support and continuous improvement.
• Serve as the regional reference point for HR matters across Africa and Middle East countries by coordinating policy alignment and governance standards.
• Support local HR teams and business leaders throughout the region on organisation design, workforce planning, talent development, change management, and transformation initiatives.
• Act as an interface between Group HR functions and regional colleagues by translating global strategies into effective regional execution.
• Contribute actively to cross-country HR projects that drive consistency, best practice sharing, and innovation throughout the region.
  
  

What You Bring

Your proven background as a senior human resources leader within industrial or manufacturing sectors will enable you to excel in this multifaceted role. You bring not only technical expertise but also strong interpersonal skills that allow you to build trust at every level, from shop floor teams to executive stakeholders. Your familiarity with Egyptian labour law ensures robust compliance practices while your experience managing union relationships supports positive employee engagement. Fluency in both Arabic and English allows you to connect authentically with colleagues across regions. Having operated within multinational structures before, you are comfortable navigating matrixed reporting lines while maintaining focus on shared goals. Your openness to new ideas means you embrace change positively, whether implementing new policies or supporting transformation programmes. If you have previously managed regional HR portfolios or contributed to cross-country projects involving organisational design or restructuring, your insights will be especially valued here.

• Native Arabic speaker with fluency in English is essential for effective communication across diverse teams.
• Extensive experience working within manufacturing or automotive environments is required to understand operational complexities.
• Deep knowledge of Egyptian labour market regulations and industrial relations is vital for ensuring compliance and harmonious workplace relations.
• Proven track record managing large blue-collar populations within plant settings demonstrates your ability to address unique workforce needs.
• Experience operating within multinational matrix organisations equips you to navigate complex reporting lines and stakeholder expectations.
• Comfortable balancing regional scope alongside local operational responsibility shows your adaptability in dynamic environments.
• Demonstrated proactivity, openness to change, and flexibility are crucial for driving transformation initiatives successfully.
• Previous exposure to regional HR roles covering MEA & Emerging Markets is highly desirable for understanding cross-border challenges
• Experience supporting change management or restructuring projects adds value when guiding organisations through periods of transition
• Ability to manage relationships with headquarters or international shareholders, including those from different cultural backgrounds is advantageous
  
  

What Sets This Company Apart

This organisation stands out as a true leader within its sector, combining global reach with deep local roots. Employees benefit from being part of an inclusive community where collaboration is encouraged at every level. The company’s commitment to professional development means you will have access to ongoing training opportunities designed to enhance your skills further. With operations spanning multiple countries in Africa and the Middle East, you will gain invaluable exposure to diverse cultures while contributing directly to meaningful business outcomes. The supportive leadership team values open communication, mutual respect, and shared success, creating an environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute their best work. Flexible working opportunities are available where possible so that you can maintain a healthy work-life balance even amidst challenging operational demands. By joining this organisation, you become part of a network dedicated not only to commercial excellence but also social responsibility within each community it serves.