Al Futtaim
General Manager - Human Resources | Retail
- Permanent
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Experience 5 - 10 yrs
Job expiry date: 23/05/2026
Job overview
Date posted
08/04/2026
Location
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Salary
AED 30,000 - 40,000 per month
Compensation
Comprehensive package
Experience
5 - 10 yrs
Seniority
Manager
Qualification
Bachelors degree
Expiration date
23/05/2026
Job description
The General Manager - Human Resources for Al-Futtaim IKEA in Dubai, UAE, is responsible for leading and directing the People & Culture function across all stores, ensuring strategic alignment with business objectives and IKEA People’s Strategy. This role serves as a trusted advisor to the Regional Management Team on HR and people matters, contributing to business development, organizational readiness for expansion, and workforce competence. The GM is accountable for designing, developing, and implementing HR strategies and practices aligned with Al-Futtaim Group HR policies and best practices in retail. The role focuses on reinforcing a culture of performance, meritocracy, diversity, and inclusion, while embedding the IKEA way of working across the organization. Key areas of responsibility include business steering, people and performance, employee relations, diversity and inclusion, learning and development, organizational development, compliance, HR analytics, workforce strategy, localization, rewards, and talent management. The GM is expected to drive continuous improvement, lead major transformation projects, monitor HR KPIs, manage talent pipelines, and ensure compliance with local labor laws and internal policies while enhancing employee engagement and wellbeing.
Required skills
Key responsibilities
- Lead and direct the People & Culture function for Al-Futtaim IKEA, acting as strategic advisor to the Regional Management Team on all people matters
- Develop and implement HR strategies and practices that align with IKEA People’s Strategy, Al-Futtaim Group HR policies, and retail best practices
- Drive business steering initiatives including market development, business transformation, and change management to support organizational growth and expansion
- Establish and embed a performance-focused culture, ensuring high performers are recognized and underperformers are supported for improvement
- Oversee employee relations across the organization, ensuring compliance with local labor laws, policies, and meritocratic practices
- Lead diversity and inclusion initiatives, creating a fair, equal, and inclusive workplace while integrating these practices into business operations
- Define and implement learning and development initiatives, including reskilling, upskilling, and leadership development, to build organizational capability
- Manage organizational development, workforce planning, manpower budgeting, talent management, succession planning, and internal succession for critical positions
- Oversee rewards and compensation programs, ensuring alignment with market trends, HR policies, and responsible wage practices
- Ensure HR policies, processes, and internal controls comply with Al-Futtaim IKEA and Group mandates while supporting continuous improvement
Experience & skills
- University degree in Human Resources, Psychology, or Business Management; Master’s degree or CIPD equivalent preferred
- 8–10 years of experience as an HR Generalist with at least 3–5 years in leadership roles such as HR Business Partner or Head of People
- Proven experience in organizational transformation, design, and employee relations within retail or comparable sectors
- Demonstrated ability to own and drive talent management, culture development, performance management, and capability building
- Strong business and commercial acumen with the ability to align HR strategy to business priorities
- Experience in leading workforce planning, learning & development, diversity & inclusion, and employee engagement initiatives
- Ability to manage HR analytics, manpower budgets, rewards programs, and talent pipelines effectively
- Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and change management skills to influence and deliver across the organization