HR Operations Manager

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Full time

On-site

Closed

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Job description

HR Operations Manager

HR Operations Excellence | Employee Lifecycle | HRMS | Payroll Controls | HR Governance

Location:Sharjah Airport Freezone, UAE
Hiring Partner:element
Industry:Lifting Solutions | Industrial Services | Engineering | Energy & Infrastructure

Build the HR operating engine of a fast-growing techno-commercial business.

element is hiring anHR Operations Managerfor a fast-expanding client in the lifting solutions and industrial services sector.

This is a high-growth techno-commercial business moving into its next stage of scale. As the organisation grows, HR can no longer operate through follow-ups, manual trackers, informal approvals and reactive problem-solving.

The business now needs stronger HR operating discipline.

We are looking for an HR Operations Manager who can bringoperational excellence into the HR function— someone who can design smoother workflows, strengthen controls, improve HRMS usage, reduce errors, improve employee experience and ensure that HR operations run with accuracy, speed and consistency.

This is not a routine HR admin role.

This is a role for someone who can make HR work better.

About the Role

The HR Operations Manager will be responsible for building, managing and continuously improving the HR operations backbone of the business.

The role will oversee the full employee lifecycle, payroll inputs, attendance, leave, HRMS data, employee documentation, visa and compliance coordination, HR reporting, policy implementation, employee support and manager coordination.

More importantly, the role will be expected to identify gaps, improve processes, build controls, reduce dependency on individuals and create a more reliable HR operating rhythm across the organisation.

You will be the person ensuring that HR is not just busy — it is structured, measurable, responsive and scalable.

What You’ll Own

HR Operations Excellence

Review current HR workflows and identify gaps, delays, duplication and control weaknesses.
Build and improve HR processes across onboarding, employee changes, attendance, leave, payroll inputs, documentation, exits and employee support.
Create clear HR operating routines, approval flows, checklists, trackers and service standards.
Reduce manual errors, repeated queries, missed approvals and last-minute firefighting.
Standardise HR operations so the function can support business growth with consistency.
Help shift HR from reactive administration to structured operational delivery.

Employee Lifecycle Management

Manage the complete employee lifecycle from offer acceptance to exit.
Oversee onboarding, induction, employee documentation, probation tracking, confirmations, transfers, promotions, salary changes, disciplinary documentation and separations.
Ensure employee files, contracts, letters, personal records and HR documents are complete, accurate and audit-ready.
Improve the employee experience at every operational touchpoint.
Ensure employees and managers receive timely, clear and professional HR support.

Payroll, Attendance & Leave Controls

Own the monthly payroll input process, including attendance, leave, overtime, deductions, additions, unpaid leave and employee changes.
Coordinate with finance and payroll teams to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing.
Strengthen payroll control through proper approvals, cut-off dates, reconciliations and documentation.
Monitor attendance, absenteeism, leave balances, overtime and exception trends.
Resolve payroll, attendance and leave-related queries with speed, accuracy and empathy.
Reduce payroll errors through stronger data discipline and process controls.

HRMS, Data Accuracy & Reporting

Drive accurate usage of HRMS and employee data systems.
Ensure employee records, attendance, leave, payroll inputs and employee movements are updated correctly.
Improve data quality, reporting accuracy and visibility for leadership.
Prepare HR dashboards covering headcount, attendance, leave, attrition, probation, payroll inputs, employee movement and compliance status.
Use HR data to identify risks, bottlenecks and process improvement opportunities.
Move HR reporting from “manual chase” to reliable decision support.

HR Compliance & Documentation

Support compliance with UAE labour requirements, Free Zone processes, internal policies and HR governance expectations.
Maintain offer letters, employment contracts, salary certificates, NOCs, warning letters, experience letters and other HR documents.
Coordinate employee visa, Emirates ID, medical insurance and related documentation with relevant internal or external teams.
Ensure HR records are properly controlled, updated and ready for audit.
Identify compliance gaps and support corrective actions.

Policy Implementation & Manager Support

Support consistent implementation of HR policies and employee guidelines.
Guide managers on HR processes, approvals, documentation and employee-related actions.
Ensure HR decisions are documented properly and aligned with policy.
Reduce informal exceptions by building clearer processes and better manager discipline.
Support managers without allowing process shortcuts to become the operating system.

Continuous Improvement

Identify recurring HR issues and fix the root cause, not just the symptom.
Improve forms, templates, communication, trackers, workflows and employee self-service processes.
Support HR projects related to HRMS, policies, payroll controls, performance, engagement, workforce planning and HR governance.
Work with leadership and element to strengthen the HR function’s maturity.
Build a culture of operational discipline, accountability and continuous improvement within HR.

What Makes This Opportunity Exciting

This is a strong opportunity for an HR professional who wants to build something meaningful.

You will join a growing business at a stage where HR operations can directly influence scale, employee experience, governance and leadership confidence.

You will have the opportunity to:

Build HR operations from a more structured and scalable foundation.
Improve how employees experience HR every day.
Strengthen payroll, attendance, documentation and compliance controls.
Drive HRMS adoption and data accuracy.
Create dashboards and reports that help leadership make better people decisions.
Reduce chaos, rework and dependency on manual follow-up.
Work closely with business leaders, operational teams and element.
Grow into a broader HR leadership role as the business expands.

This is a role where your impact will be visible.

When HR operations improves, everyone feels it — employees, managers, finance, leadership and the business.

What We’re Looking For

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or a related field.
6–10 years of HR experience, with strong exposure to HR operations and employee lifecycle management.
Experience in HR operations, payroll coordination, attendance management, HRMS, employee records, HR documentation and compliance.
Strong understanding of UAE employment practices, Free Zone processes and HR operational requirements.
Experience working in industrial, engineering, construction, manufacturing, logistics, trading, contracting, oil & gas, facilities or technical services environments will be preferred.
Strong MS Excel skills and ability to work with HR data, trackers and reports.
Experience improving HR processes, workflows, controls or HRMS usage.
Good communication skills in English.
Ability to work with both office-based and operational teams.

Skills That Matter

HR operations discipline.
Process improvement mindset.
Strong attention to detail.
Payroll and documentation accuracy.
HRMS and data management capability.
Strong follow-through and ownership.
Ability to manage multiple priorities.
Practical understanding of business operations.
Confidentiality and professional maturity.
Calm communication under pressure.
Ability to bring structure without making HR feel bureaucratic.

The Person Who Will Succeed Here

You are organised, reliable and improvement-driven.

You do not just complete HR tasks; you look at the process behind them.

You notice when payroll inputs are coming late, when employee records are incomplete, when leave approvals are inconsistent, when HRMS data is unreliable, when managers are bypassing process and when employees are confused because HR communication is unclear.

Then you fix it.

You are comfortable working in a growing business where systems are evolving and structure needs to be built while operations continue to move. You can manage details without losing sight of the bigger HR operating model.

You believe HR operations should be accurate, responsive, compliant and employee-friendly.

Why Join This Opportunity?

Because this is not a maintenance HR role.

This is a chance to build the HR operating backbone of a fast-growing industrial business.

The company is expanding, professionalising and strengthening its people systems. Your role will help create the

HR discipline needed for scale — cleaner processes, better controls, reliable data, stronger employee support and smoother execution.

If you are ready to move from HR administration to HR operations excellence, this is the opportunity.

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