Director of Human Resources – Pre-Opening

Meliá Hotels International

Human Resources Director shaping cultural foundation for Gran Meliá Dubai Jumeirah. Leading HR strategy and talent acquisition for pre-opening phase of luxury hotel.

Posted 7/16/2026full-timeDubai • 🇦🇪 United Arab EmiratesLeadWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in leading HR strategy and operations within luxury hospitality, with a strong focus on talent acquisition, employee engagement, and compliance with UAE labor law. Proven ability to foster a culture aligned with brand values while managing HR budgets and analytics.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Senior HR Leadership ExperienceTalent AcquisitionUAE Labor Law ComplianceEmployee Engagement InitiativesStakeholder Management

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Talent AcquisitionWorkforce PlanningPeople AnalyticsLeadership DevelopmentHR Strategy Implementation

Soft Skills

Emotional IntelligenceCollaborationSolution-Oriented Approach

Certifications & Qualifications

Degree in Human ResourcesDegree in BusinessDegree in PsychologyDegree in Law

Industry Keywords

Luxury HospitalityPre-Opening ExperienceUAE Market KnowledgeEmployee RelationsBrand Positioning

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead and implement the HR strategy during pre-opening and into operations, ensuring alignment with brand standards and business goals
Establish HR structures, policies, and governance in line with corporate guidelines and UAE legislation
Act as a strategic business partner to the General Manager and Executive Committee
Drive a culture that reflects Meliá’s core values, fostering a sense of pride, belonging, and individuality across the team
Lead end-to-end talent acquisition for the pre-opening phase, building a team of VIPs (Very Inspiring People) who reflect both capability and cultural alignment
Oversee onboarding and training plans to ensure a seamless and engaging arrival experience for all new joiners
Support leadership development and foster a strong service culture built on emotional intelligence and attention to detail
Strengthen employee engagement through meaningful, well-designed initiatives that go beyond standard practices
Ensure full compliance with UAE labour law and manage employee relations with professionalism and fairness
Own HR budgets, workforce planning, KPIs, and people analytics

Requirements

What you’ll need

Proven senior HR leadership experience within luxury hospitality, with pre-opening exposure
Strong working knowledge of the Dubai/UAE market and labor law
Experience balancing both strategic and operational HR in a dynamic environment
Strong background in talent acquisition, culture building, and leadership development
Ability to translate brand positioning into a meaningful employee experience
Confident stakeholder management with a collaborative, solution-oriented approach
Degree in Human Resources, Business, Psychology, Law, or similar
Fluent in English; Arabic is highly beneficial but is not mandatory

Benefits

Comp & perks

My MeliáRewards: Participate in our exclusive loyalty program, enjoying unique benefits and advantages.
My MeliáBenefits: Take advantage of flexible compensation and exclusive discounts on a wide variety of products and services, promoting an active and healthy lifestyle.
Comprehensive medical & life insurance
Duty meals
Annual leave & public holidays in accordance with UAE Labour Law
Access to learning, leadership development, and global career opportunities across Meliá Hotels International
Employee rates and exclusive discounts across Meliá Hotels International hotels worldwide
Recognition programs that celebrate excellence and achievement