Director of Human Resources (Position Requires Relocation to Kuwait)

Director of Human Resources

Location: Kuwait

Department: Human Resources

Reports To: Vice President of Administration

Position Overview

The Director of Human Resources provides strategic leadership and oversight of the University's HR function, ensuring alignment with institutional objectives, regulatory compliance, and best-practice workforce management. This role is responsible for developing and executing HR strategies across talent acquisition, organizational design, performance management, compensation and benefits, employee relations, compliance, HR analytics, and policy governance. The Director acts as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and the Board on workforce planning, organizational effectiveness, and culture development.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement a comprehensive HR strategy aligned with institutional goals
• Lead workforce planning and organizational restructuring initiatives
• Advise executive leadership on HR risk, compliance, and talent strategy
• Establish governance frameworks for HR policies and procedures

Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning

• Oversee executive and faculty recruitment strategies
• Develop hiring plans aligned with academic and operational needs
• Ensure effective onboarding and retention strategies

Performance & Organizational Effectiveness

• Design and oversee performance management frameworks
• Lead leadership evaluation systems and development programs
• Implement succession planning strategies

Compensation & Benefits

• Oversee salary band structures and grading systems
• Conduct compensation benchmarking and equity reviews
• Ensure competitive and compliant benefit structures

Employee Relations & Compliance

• Lead disciplinary processes and risk mitigation
• Ensure compliance with Kuwait Labor Law, MOI, PAM regulations
• Partner with Legal on sensitive employment matters

HR Operations & Analytics

• Oversee HRIS systems (e.g., BambooHR) and reporting frameworks
• Develop executive dashboards and workforce analytics
• Ensure payroll accuracy and HR operational efficiency

Team Leadership

• Lead and develop HR Managers and HRBAs
• Drive accountability, service standards, and professional development

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field
• Minimum 812 years of progressive HR leadership experience
• Experience in higher education or large organizations preferred
• Strong knowledge of Kuwait Labor Law and regulatory compliance
• Demonstrated experience in organizational restructuring and compensation design
• Strong analytical and executive communication skills

Professional certifications (SHRM-SCP, CIPD, HRCI) preferred.

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and executive advisory capability
• High integrity and confidentiality
• Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Data-driven decision making
• Leadership presence and stakeholder management

About American International University:

AIU is a new institution of higher education in Kuwait with the first student cohort admitted in fall 2019. It is a private, co-educational institution offering undergraduate degrees based on the American model of higher education. Through its educational programs, the University serves the intellectual, cultural, and personal growth of all members of its community. AIU's offers degree programs in Engineering, Architecture, and Design, and Business Administration where the language of instruction is English.

For more information about AIU visit: www.aiu.edu.kw