Senior Manager-Talent Acquisition

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

DAMAC seeks a Senior Manager, Talent Acquisition (Emiratization) to lead UAE National recruitment, ensure Emiratization compliance, support workforce planning, and deliver a first-rate candidate experience. You will own end-to-end recruitment, build a robust Emirati talent pipeline, partner with business leaders and universities, and run innovative campaigns while upholding Nafis requirements and government mandates. The role requires 6 to 8 years in Talent Acquisition, including at least 3 years focused on Emiratization, high-volume hiring experience, solid UAE labour-law knowledge, and experience with ATS/HRIS, plus strong stakeholder influence; Arabic and English fluency; UAE National preferred. To apply, tailor your CV to Emiratization outcomes, quantify impact, showcase relationships with government entities, and highlight readiness for on-site collaboration in the UAE.

Job Purpose: 

Senior Manager – Talent Acquisition (Emiratization) will be responsible for driving DAMAC's Emiratization recruitment strategy by attracting, engaging and hiring high-calibre UAE Nationals across various business functions. The role will ensure compliance with UAE Emiratization regulations, support national workforce planning initiatives, build strong relationships with government entities and universities and deliver a best-in-class candidate experience for Emirati talent.

Key Responsibilities: 

Emiratization Recruitment

• Lead end-to-end recruitment activities for UAE National vacancies across DAMAC Group.
• Partner with business leaders and hiring managers to identify Emiratization opportunities and workforce requirements.
• Develop sourcing strategies to attract qualified Emirati candidates through multiple channels.
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of UAE National talent for current and future hiring needs.
• Manage the recruitment lifecycle including sourcing, screening, assessment, interviews, offer management, and onboarding.

Strategic Talent Attraction

• Establish partnerships with universities, colleges, career centres and government entities to strengthen DAMAC's employer brand among Emirati talent.
• Represent DAMAC at career fairs, Emiratization forums, networking events, and graduate recruitment programs.
• Implement innovative recruitment campaigns to support UAE National hiring targets.

Stakeholder Management

• Collaborate closely with department heads and HR Business Partners to align recruitment initiatives with business objectives.
• Provide market intelligence, salary benchmarks, and hiring insights related to Emirati talent.
• Ensure timely communication and a positive candidate experience throughout the recruitment process.

Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure full compliance with UAE labour laws, Emiratization regulations, Nafis requirements and governmental mandates.
• Monitor Emiratization headcount targets and provide regular reports to leadership.
• Track recruitment metrics including hiring volumes, time-to-fill, source effectiveness, and candidate conversion rates.
• Maintain accurate records and reports for audits and regulatory submissions.

Talent Development & Retention Support

• Support onboarding, integration, and engagement initiatives for UAE National employees.
• Work closely with Learning & Development and HR Business Partners to support career growth programs for Emirati talent.
• Contribute to succession planning and talent management initiatives focused on UAE Nationals.

Qualifications:-

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology or a related field.
• Professional HR certifications (CIPD, SHRM, PHRi) will be an advantage.
• UAE National preferred. 
• Fluency in Arabic and English is mandatory.

Experience:- 

• 6–8 years of Talent Acquisition experience, with at least 3 years focused on Emiratization recruitment.
• Proven experience managing high-volume recruitment within large organizations.
• Strong understanding of UAE labour laws, Emiratization policies, Nafis programs and government employment initiatives.
• Experience working with ATS and HRIS systems.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.