The School
At Queen Elizabeth's School, Dubai Sports City, we proudly extend the distinguished legacy of Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet, one of the United Kingdom's most celebrated academic institutions. Founded on centuries of tradition and intellectual rigour, our branch schools uphold an uncompromising commitment to academic excellence, character formation, and cultural enrichment.
Our vision is to cultivate dynamic, world-class learning environments where the next generation of confident, able, and responsible young people are shaped. We challenge our students to think independently, lead with purpose, and embrace a global perspective, all within a community that values tradition, discipline, and innovation.
By blending the timeless values of our founding school with the opportunities of a rapidly evolving world, we ignite curiosity, inspire ambition, and prepare our students to make meaningful contributions to society, as scholars, leaders, and changemakers.
The Opportunity
We are seeking an exceptional Global People & Culture Manager to provide expert guidance and operational support to the global HR team. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of a world-class HR function for Queen Elizabeth's Global Schools.
The ideal candidate will be a proactive and knowledgeable HR professional with a strong understanding of employment law, best practice, and the international education sector. You will be responsible for delivering high-quality HR advice, supporting staff across multiple campuses, and ensuring compliance with local regulations while upholding our global standards.
As a key member of the Global HR team, you will play a vital role in supporting the employee lifecyclefrom onboarding and policy implementation to employee relations and professional developmentcontributing to a culture of excellence and care across our school.
The Role
Job Title: Global People & Culture Manager
Strategic & Global Responsibilities
- Drive global People & Culture strategy aligned to Queen Elizabeth's Global Schools vision.
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, providing data-driven insights on workforce planning, talent retention, engagement, and organisational effectiveness.
- Champion organisational culture and values, embedding them into recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and employee engagement initiatives across all campuses.
- Strengthen employer branding globally, supporting attraction of high-caliber international and local talent through best-in-class people practices.
Recruitment and Onboarding
- Manage end-to-end recruitment process for teaching and non-teaching staff, ensuring roles are advertised and filled promptly.
- Oversee initial screening of applicants and support managers with shortlisting and interview arrangements.
- Handle onboarding processes, including preparing offer letters, employment contracts, and induction programs.
- Ensure all recruitment and onboarding activities comply with local labour laws, regulatory requirements, and school policies.
Policy and Compliance
- Assist in developing, reviewing, and updating HR policies, procedures, and handbooks to reflect current regulations and best practices.
- Maintain accurate and secure employee records, ensuring compliance with GDPR and school data protection policies.
- Support audits and inspections related to HR and regulatory requirements.
Employee Relations and Well-being
- Provide advice to staff and leadership on HR policies, procedures, and employment laws.
- Act as the first point of contact for employee concerns, resolving issues sensitively and in line with school policies.
- Support employee well-being initiatives, including mental health support, wellness programs, and staff events.
- Handle disciplinary, grievance, and performance-related matters professionally, providing guidance.
Performance Management
- Support the implementation and management of the school's performance appraisal system.
- Advise line managers on best practices for setting goals, conducting reviews, and supporting professional growth.
- Monitor probationary periods, ensuring timely feedback and confirmation of appointments.
Learning and Development
- Assist in identifying training needs and coordinating professional development programs for staff.
- Organise workshops, training sessions, and CPD opportunities in collaboration with school leadership.
- Maintain training records and ensure compliance with mandatory training requirements (e.g., safeguarding).
HR Operations and Administration
- Maintain accurate HR systems and databases, including staff records, attendance, and leave management.
- Prepare HR reports and data analysis for leadership and management decision-making.
- Support payroll processing by providing accurate information on employee attendance, leave, and benefits.
- Manage employee benefits, including health insurance, leave entitlements, and end-of-service settlements.
Stakeholder Collaboration
- Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, including academic and administrative teams.
- Liaise with external providers, such as recruitment agencies, health insurance companies, and legal consultants.
- Act as an ambassador for the school's values, fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture.
Local Hiring Compliance
- Execute localisation strategies in line with country-specific legal and cultural requirements.
- Monitor hiring targets and reporting frameworks to ensure compliance with national workforce quotas.
- Partner with local government entities and employment platforms to attract and onboard qualified national talent.
- Ensure all recruitment, onboarding, and promotion processes are inclusive, equitable, and aligned with local employment policies.
- Collaborate with school leadership to build a culturally responsive staff environment that respects and reflects national identity.
The Person
Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor's degree in human resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Minimum of 5 years of HR management experience, preferably in an international or school setting.
- Strong knowledge of UAE labour laws, regulations, and HR compliance requirements.
- Experience in recruitment, employee relations, and HR policy development.
- Proficiency in HR software and Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
Personal Qualities
- An understanding of working in a multicultural environment and promoting inclusivity.
- Flexible and calm under pressure, with the ability to manage competing priorities
Queen Elizabeth's School, Dubai Sports City is an equal opportunities employer and is deeply committed to safeguarding our students, ensuring their safety and wellbeing. We expect all staff and members of our community to share this commitment and to promptly report any concerns about a student's or community member's safety or wellbeing. In accordance with our Safer Recruitment Policy, all applicants must be willing to undergo rigorous child protection screening, including checks with past employers and providing police clearance certificates from all countries that the applicant has resided in. The full Safer Recruitment Policy can be viewed on our website.
