Human Resources Director - Bahrain

About the Opportunity

A prominent luxury hospitality brand is looking for a sharp, people-driven HR Director to sit at the intersection of business strategy and talent. This isn't a back-office HR role — you'll be embedded with operational leaders, influencing decisions, and shaping the employee experience from hire to retire.

If you thrive in fast-paced environments, love solving complex people challenges, and want to leave a real mark on a growing organization — this one's for you.

What You'll Own

• Be the Strategic Voice at the Table
• You won't just execute, you'll advise
• Work shoulder-to-shoulder with senior leaders to connect people strategy with business performance
• Lead workforce planning, organizational design, and building the talent pipeline that keeps the business ahead of the curve

Drive Budgets, Forecasting & Manpower Planning

• Take full ownership of the HR budget cycle — from building annual manpower budgets and headcount forecasts to tracking spend against plan
• Partner with Finance and Operations to align staffing models with business demand, seasonal fluctuations, and growth projections
• Provide leadership with clear visibility on labor costs, vacancy rates, and workforce gaps for smarter, faster decision-making

Lead Employee Relations & Grievance Management

• Be the first point of contact for complex employee relations matters — from workplace conflicts and conduct issues to formal grievances and disciplinary proceedings
• Manage cases with fairness, discretion, and consistency, in line with company policy and local labor law
• Coach managers on navigating sensitive conversations and creating a culture where issues are addressed early
• Conduct or oversee workplace investigations, documenting findings and recommending appropriate outcomes
• Track ER trends across the business and recommend preventive measures that strengthen workplace harmony

Drive Talent & Culture Forward

• Own the full talent lifecycle — from attracting the right people to helping them grow, perform, and stay
• Build meaningful succession plans and leadership pipelines — real development paths, not just spreadsheets
• Design and run the performance cycle in a way that actually moves the needle — goal setting, coaching conversations, and honest feedback loops
• Partner with L&D to create development programs that employees genuinely value

Be the Go-To for All Things People

• Act as a trusted sounding board for managers on performance concerns, team dynamics, and people decisions
• Keep compensation and benefits competitive by collaborating closely with Finance
• Champion Diversity, Equity & Inclusion — woven into how the business hires, engages, and grows its people

Make Data-Driven Decisions

• Track what matters — turnover trends, engagement scores, performance patterns — and turn numbers into actionable insights
• Spot issues before they become problems and recommend smart, proactive solutions

Lead Through Change

• Support transformation initiatives and help teams navigate shifts in structure, process, or culture with clarity and confidence
• Build engagement and retention strategies that go beyond surveys — think recognition, feedback loops, and genuine connection

Build & Develop Your Team

• Lead and mentor a small HR team, setting high standards while creating a supportive environment where people learn and grow
• Manage priorities and resources so HR delivers real value across every department

What Makes You a Great Fit

Your Background

• 5+ years in HR, with at least 2 years operating as a true business partner — not just in title
• Experience in hospitality, luxury brands, or high-touch service industries is a strong plus
• Hands-on experience across employee relations, grievance handling, recruitment, performance management, HR budgeting, manpower planning, and organizational development

Your Credentials

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, or a related discipline
• HR certification (PHR, SPHR, CIPD, or similar) is a bonus

Your Style

• Equally comfortable in a boardroom conversation and a 1:1 with a front-line team member
• You handle sensitive situations with maturity, discretion, and emotional intelligence
• You're calm under pressure, solutions-oriented, and never afraid to challenge the status quo constructively
• You lead with data but connect with empathy

Why This Role?

You'll join a world-class hospitality group where people are genuinely at the center of the business. This is a chance to shape culture, influence strategy, and grow your career in one of the most exciting markets in the world.