Senior Manager – HR Operations

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Industry: Healthcare
Employment Type: Full-Time

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Senior Manager – HR Operations to oversee and lead HR operations across a diversified healthcare organization in Saudi Arabia.

The role will be responsible for managing HR operations across multiple healthcare businesses, including hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and medical laboratories, while supporting the integration of any future businesses added to the organization's portfolio.

The position will own HR operational performance, compliance, HR systems, workforce planning, policies and procedures, Government Relations compliance, Organizational Development, Performance Management, Employee Relations, Compensation & Benefits, and HR audits.

The role will also lead the Learning & Development agenda on an interim basis until the dedicated L&D function is established.

In addition, the Senior Manager will support HR due diligence and integration activities, drive the implementation of HR strategic initiatives, and ensure that HR KPIs and SLAs are consistently monitored and delivered in line with organizational standards, policies, and Saudi Arabia's regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

HR Operations & Performance

• Oversee end-to-end HR operations across multiple healthcare business verticals in KSA.
• Establish, monitor, and improve HR KPIs, SLAs, and operational targets.
• Analyze HR performance indicators and ensure corrective action plans are implemented and closed.
• Ensure HR services are delivered consistently and in accordance with organizational standards.

HR Compliance & Audits

• Ensure compliance with internal HR policies, procedures, and organizational governance requirements.
• Ensure compliance with applicable Saudi labor and employment regulations.
• Lead and coordinate internal, Group, statutory, regulatory, and external HR audits.
• Ensure timely closure of audit findings and implementation of corrective actions.
• Ensure HR compliance readiness for healthcare accreditation requirements, including CBAHI where applicable.

HR Data Privacy & Systems

• Ensure compliance with PDPL and applicable HR data privacy requirements.
• Oversee HRMS customizations, implementations, enhancements, and system governance.
• Partner with IT and relevant stakeholders to ensure HR systems effectively support business requirements.
• Drive HR reporting, dashboards, analytics, and data-driven decision-making.

Employee Relations

• Oversee employee investigations, grievances, disciplinary matters, and other employee relations cases.
• Ensure fair, consistent, and legally compliant handling of employee matters.
• Provide guidance to HR teams and management on employee relations issues.

Performance Management

• Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of the Performance Management cycle.
• Ensure performance objectives, reviews, calibration, and development plans are effectively managed.
• Partner with business leaders to improve organizational and individual performance.

Government Relations

• Ensure compliance with KSA Government Relations requirements.
• Maintain strong knowledge of relevant government platforms and processes, including:
  • Qiwa
  • Mudad
  • Muqeem
  • GOSI
  • MHRSD
• Ensure compliance with Saudization and Nitaqat requirements.

HR Budgeting & Workforce Planning

• Lead HR budgeting, workforce planning, and cost management activities.
• Monitor HR-related costs against approved budgets.
• Support manpower planning and organizational requirements across the business.

Organizational Development

• Drive Organizational Development initiatives aligned with business strategy.
• Support organizational structure reviews, workforce optimization, job design, and organizational effectiveness initiatives.
• Partner with senior stakeholders on organizational transformation and change initiatives.

Compensation & Benefits

• Oversee Compensation & Benefits activities across the organization.
• Ensure compensation practices remain internally equitable, externally competitive, and compliant with applicable regulations.
• Support salary reviews, benefits programs, and related HR initiatives.

Strategic Initiatives, Integration & Due Diligence

• Support HR due diligence activities related to potential acquisitions, partnerships, and business integrations.
• Develop and implement HR integration plans as required.
• Drive HR strategic initiatives and action plans in partnership with senior leadership.
• Ensure effective implementation and tracking of HR transformation projects.

Learning & Development

• Lead the Learning & Development agenda on an interim basis until a dedicated Training & Development Manager is appointed.
• Ensure alignment of learning initiatives with organizational and business priorities.
• Support capability-building and employee development initiatives.

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Lead and develop the HR Operations team.
• Build strong relationships with senior management and key business stakeholders.
• Act as a strategic HR partner while maintaining strong operational ownership.
• Promote continuous improvement and a high-performance HR culture.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, or a related discipline from a recognized university.
• Master's degree in Human Resources, Human Resource Management, or MBA (HR) is preferred.
• Professional HR certification such as CIPD Level 5/7, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, or an equivalent internationally recognized certification is preferred.
• Additional certifications in Compensation, Organizational Development, Change Management, Six Sigma/Process Improvement, or HR Analytics are advantageous.
• 10+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 4 years in a senior HR Operations or HR Business Partner leadership position.
• Experience within a large, complex, multi-entity organization is strongly preferred.
• Significant HR experience within the healthcare sector, including hospitals, clinics, medical laboratories, or pharmacy retail.
• Exposure to multiple healthcare business verticals is an advantage.
• Minimum 4 years of HR experience in Saudi Arabia or the wider GCC.
• Strong knowledge of KSA Labor Law, Government Relations, Saudization, and Nitaqat requirements.
• Hands-on knowledge of relevant KSA government platforms, including Qiwa, Mudad, Muqeem, GOSI, and MHRSD.
• Experience working with modern HRIS platforms such as Oracle Fusion HCM, SAP SuccessFactors, Microsoft 365 HR, or equivalent systems.
• Strong capabilities in HR analytics, reporting, dashboards, and Microsoft Office.
• Strong understanding of HR policies, processes, compliance, employee relations, performance management, C&B, and organizational development.
• Experience supporting organizational integrations, due diligence, or transformation initiatives is an advantage.
• Full professional proficiency in English is mandatory.
• Full professional proficiency in Arabic is strongly preferred.

Key Competencies

• Strategic and operational HR leadership
• Strong knowledge of KSA HR regulations
• Healthcare HR expertise
• HR operations and process optimization
• Employee relations and investigations
• HR compliance and audit management
• HR systems and digital transformation
• Data-driven HR management
• Organizational development and change management
• Compensation & Benefits
• Workforce planning and budgeting
• Stakeholder management
• Team leadership and people development
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills