Head of HR Saudi Arabia amp Central Asia - Thales

Location: Riyadh Saudi Arabia

In fast changing markets customers worldwide rely on Thales. Thales is a business where brilliant people from all over the world come together to share ideas and inspire each other. In aerospace transportation defence security and space our architects design innovative solutions that make our tomorrows possible.

We have been present in Saudi Arabia for 40 years and with over 600 employees to date we are growing rapidly. Together we are delivering our signalling control and train protection systems for the North South Railway (NSR) the longest system of its kind in the world. Together we are key suppliers of Inflight entertainment and connectivity systems as well as air traffic management solutions in Saudi. We are making Saudi Arabia a safer place by securing the countrys critical infrastructure and esecurity solutions that secure the countrys electronic payment systems. Thales has been selected to supply major electronic systems for air defence and the Group also supplied communication and optronic systems for the Army the Saudi Arabia National Guards and the Air Force.

Head of HR Saudi Arabia & Central Asia

Riyadh KSA

Thales is a trusted partner of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) with a presence of over half a century. The Group provides advanced solutions in Defence & Security Space & Aerospace Transportation and Digital Identity & Security.

Thales has built a strong relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through solid partnerships. This has allowed Thales to expand its footprint at a local level and meet everevolving customer demands. Thales has been actively supporting the KSA Vision 2030 since its launch making strides in localisation of defence equipment and systems development of local and cultural attractions as well as digital transformation.

We are actively recruiting a high criticality role for a Head of Human Resources. This role will be central to our growth aspirations in KSA this includes significant scaling up of our business operations in collaboration with key clients in KSA.

We can only accept applications from Saudi Nationals for this position.

Role overview

As Head of HR you will report into the HR Director ME Africa Saudi Arabia & Central Asia Region and VP Saudi Arabia & Central Asia region. The role will lead a team of 6 and be part of the Company Directors of Saudi Arabia and Central Asia region.

Key deliverables in the role will include:

• Leading the Human capital management: including but not limited to: Talents attractiveness development and retention. The objective is to double the current Human Capital in Saudi Arabia within 3 years : total headcount of about 350 employees (today)
• Leading the people agenda enabling the delivery of business strategy and supporting a highperformance culture within the HR function perimeter.
• Connecting with senior stakeholders of Saudi Arabia & Central Asia countries Regional HR team members and also HR teams from different Business Units of Thales (based in France) to ensure people initiatives helps the business to attract develop engage and retain employees including lead standardisation of policy process and recruitment in KSA.
• To manage the scope of hiring Saudi nationals as per objectives for Thales in Saudi Arabia.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Manage HR team both in hierarchical and Matrix mode to define and deploy adhoc HR plans to meet Growth Delivery Lead and Protect pillars of the group objectives as Saudi Arabia is expected to be among the top 3 contributor countries.
• Implement the HR strategies and drive associated action plans to support business performance and the ability to attract develop engage and retain employees in partnership with the leadership team of Saudi Arabia & Central Asia countries.
• Build strategy to hire Saudi nationals & strengthen relationship with local universities & Industrial partners for longterm association.
• Support identifying and building leadership and technical capability and growth of a talent pipeline aligned to future business strategy.
• Understand and apply organizational effectiveness and development tools in the business while collaborating with the broad HR organization.
• Support the business on transformation organizational projects.
• Coach challenge and advice the management team under his/her perimeter to ensure business objectives are delivered.
• Influence business decisionmaking to ensure HR issues and risks are considered at the earliest possible point.
• Provide datadriven insights to the management team under his/her perimeter that support people related decisionmaking.
• Collaborate with regional HR Shared services team members on the topics of Talent management Learning Compensation and Benefits & Talent Acquisition.
• Partner with other Global Business Units HRBPs on the implementation of people related actions that will support the success of the business in Saudi Arabia & Central Asia countries.
• Advice employees on policies and processes grievance management develop a positive work environment in different Thales sites of Saudi Arabia & Central Asia countries.
• Coach & develop HR Team members of Saudi Arabia & Central Asia countries & up skill them to adapt to business needs.
• Coordinate with Head of HR of Thales Joint Venture companies & align HR policies.

Experience Skill and Knowledge required

Were looking for an accomplished HR professional with experience working within Multinationals organisations based in Saudi Arabia who has experience in human resources in the areas of staffing performance management change management compensation and benefits organization development employee relations training and knowledge of Saudi Arabia labour law.

• Indepth knowledge and understanding of progressive HR practices.
• Successful track record of initiating People strategies to support business growth and change.
• Strong capability in managing dynamic and matrix relations with different stakeholders.
• Excellent influencing communication and presentation skills
• Result orientation with high productivity; strong desire for success
• Experience of working across projects including knowledge of Project Life Cycle.
• Working in a complex multidisciplinary multisite organization

Qualification Certification and Educational requirements

Preferably an MBA from a reputed institute majoring in HR; with significant experience in the HR domain with appropriate experience in the HR generalist function in multinational organizations.

Arabic & English speaker is a must

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