Head of HR, Gulf

Join MetLife as Head of HR – Gulf and shape the people agenda for a dynamic, multi-country business from Dubai.

This is a high-impact leadership role for a senior HR professional who can translate business priorities into a clear people strategy, build organisational capability, and lead change across a complex Gulf footprint.

The role also leads the regional HR team, drives a high-performing and inclusive culture, and reports to the Head of HR, EMEA.

Key Responsibilities:

• Partner with senior business leaders to define and deliver an HR strategy that supports commercial priorities, organisational effectiveness, and sustainable growth.
• Act as a trusted advisor on talent, performance, organisation design, culture, leadership, and change.
• Build an inclusive, high-performing culture that strengthens engagement, collaboration, and accountability.
• Lead initiatives that improve employee experience, organisational capability, and overall workforce productivity.
• Strengthen leadership capability and succession depth by driving focused development plans for critical talent and future leaders.
• Ensure high-quality HR delivery in partnership with specialist teams, balancing strategic impact with strong operational execution.
• Lead talent, succession, and workforce planning to ensure strong pipelines, critical capability, and effective retention across the Gulf.
• Coach and challenge leaders to apply HR policies and practices effectively, managing risk while enabling sound, commercially balanced decisions.
• Lead the localisation agenda across five countries, ensuring compliance with local regulation while supporting business continuity and workforce planning.
• Manage key external relationships, including local HR vendors and partners, to support effective and compliant delivery.
• Own the HR budget for the Gulf, ensuring disciplined investment and alignment with business priorities.
• Lead, coach, and develop the HR Business Partner team to build capability, consistency, and strong partnership with the business.
• Represent HR on leadership meetings

Essential Business Experience and Technical Skills:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field; Master’s degree preferred (or equivalent)
• 10+ year experience in senior HR Business Partner roles with growing responsibilities
• Experience in developing and leading teams (ideally with virtual leadership experience)
• Demonstrates strong digital and AI fluency, including the practical application of tools such as Microsoft Copilot and emerging technologies to enhance decision-making, simplify work, improve employee experience and drive organisational effectiveness
• Demonstrated experience in relationship building and collaboration with senior leaders, ability to operate effectively in a highly matrix and fast-paced environment.
• Comprehensive understanding of all aspects of Human Resource Management from recruitment and throughout the employee lifecycle.
• Experience with managing HR budgets
• Experience with employment law issues and demonstrated experience in conflict resolution

MetLife is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to attracting, retaining and maximizing the performance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of MetLife to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination on any basis protected by law.

Travel: Yes