Company Name: Citi
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Onsite, Hybrid)
Job Type: Full-time
Salary Range: Negotiable
Industry: Business Strategy, Management & Administration / Human Resources / Banking & Financial Services
Job Overview
Citi, a leading global financial services institution, is seeking an exceptional HR Business Execution Lead, Middle East & Africa to join its dynamic team in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This Full-time, Senior-level role offers a pivotal opportunity to drive strategic HR execution, operational excellence, and impactful initiatives across a diverse and rapidly growing region within Banking & Financial Services.
As the HR Business Execution Lead, you’ll be instrumental in managing workforce planning and expenses for the HR team, leading global HR process improvements, and coordinating efforts for operational efficiency at a cluster level. You’ll leverage your solid experience in HR, project management, and operational excellence to deliver outstanding results, even with limited resources. If you’re an action-oriented, entrepreneurial leader with a passion for driving continuous organizational and operating model reviews, and possess excellent influencing skills across diverse cultures, Citi invites you to contribute your expertise to our thriving regional presence.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Manage Workforce Planning and Expenses for the HR Team, ensuring optimal resource allocation.
- Oversee and implement operating routines and communications for the HR function.
- Lead team culture efforts, fostering a positive, collaborative, and engaging work environment.
- Lead the global review, development, and implementation of HR process improvements.
- Coordinate efforts for Global HR Business Execution at a cluster level, driving operational efficiency.
- Design the comms strategy for the function (e.g., quarterly Townhalls), ensuring clear and consistent messaging.
- Lead professional development activities for the team (e.g., Habit To Learn), supporting continuous growth.
- Support global HR initiatives (e.g., HR Gratitude Week), contributing to firm-wide objectives.
- Manage and drive a continuous cycle of organization/operating model reviews, adapting to business needs.
- Lead a wide range of HR projects and initiatives (e.g., new legal entity setup), from conception to completion.
- Support the risk & controls area within MEA country HR, ensuring compliance and mitigation.
- Provide oversight for Human Capital strategies (e.g., restructuring, org design).
- Coach junior team members on project involvement and presentations, fostering their development.
- Provide HR project management of key HR lifecycle processes and initiatives (e.g., Year End promotions/releveling, performance management, annual employee survey).
- Create methodologies, procedures, routines, and governance to track and communicate KPIs and milestones.
- Produce a monthly Human Capital Dashboard for senior MEA Leadership, providing critical insights.
- Identify opportunities to optimize and adopt enterprise-wide talent and culture changes.
- Provide leadership and promote business ties with internal and external senior leaders/clients.
- Appropriately assess risk, demonstrate particular consideration for the firm’s reputation, safeguard Citigroup, drive compliance with laws/rules/regulations, adhere to Policy, apply sound ethical judgment, escalate/manage/report control issues, effectively supervise activity of others, and create accountability.
Qualifications
- Experience Level: Senior-level (Implied by the “Lead” title, “solid experience,” and comprehensive responsibilities in strategic leadership, project management, and operational oversight).
- Education Requirement: Bachelor’s/University degree required, Master’s degree preferred or equivalent experience.
- Required Skills:
- Solid experience in HR, project management, and operational excellence.
- Experience managing limited resources while delivering outstanding results.
- Proven ability to work in a team of diverse skill sets and cultures; knowledge of Middle East & African countries (preferred).
- Demonstrates clear and concise written and verbal communication.
- Action-oriented, entrepreneurial, flexible, and innovative approach to operational management.
- Possesses passion, humility, integrity, positive attitude, action-oriented, and self-directed.
- Excellent influencing, facilitation, and partnering skills with key stakeholders, other HR leads, and Senior Management.
- Effective interpersonal skills – including teamwork and organizational skills.
- Data savvy and analytical.
- Detail-oriented, ability to multi-task.
- Bachelor’s/University degree, Master’s degree preferred or equivalent experience.
- Proven ability to manage Workforce Planning and Expenses for HR Team.
- Skilled in managing operating routines and communications.
- Proficient in leading team culture efforts.
- Experience leading global review, development, and implementation of HR process improvements.
- Skilled in coordinating efforts for Global HR BE at a cluster level for operational efficiency.
- Proficient in designing the comms strategy for the function (e.g., quarterly Townhalls).
- Experience leading professional development activities for the team (e.g., Habit To Learn).
- Skilled in supporting global HR initiatives (e.g., HR Gratitude Week).
- Proficient in managing and driving continuous cycle of organization/operating model reviews.
- Experience leading a wide range of HR projects and initiatives (e.g., new legal entity setup).
- Skilled in supporting risk & controls area within MEA country HR.
- Proficient in oversight for Human Capital strategies (e.g., restructuring, org design).
- Experience coaching junior team members on project involvement and presentations.
- Skilled in providing HR project management of key HR lifecycle processes and initiatives (e.g., Year End promotions/releveling, performance management, annual employee survey).
- Proficient in creating methodologies, procedures, routines, and governance to track and communicate KPIs and milestones.
- Skilled in producing a monthly Human Capital Dashboard for senior MEA Leadership.
- Proficient in identifying opportunities to optimize and adopt enterprise-wide talent and culture changes.
- Experience providing leadership and promoting business ties with internal and external senior leaders/clients.
- Appropriately assessing risk, demonstrating particular consideration for the firm’s reputation, safeguarding Citigroup, driving compliance with laws/rules/regulations, adhering to Policy, applying sound ethical judgment, escalating/managing/reporting control issues, effectively supervising activity of others, and creating accountability.
Salary and Benefits
Citi offers competitive compensation for this Full-time HR Business Execution Lead, Middle East & Africa position. Your salary will be negotiable and determined based on your extensive experience, qualifications, and leadership background. Citi is committed to providing a comprehensive and attractive benefits package designed to support the overall well-being and professional growth of our employees, which typically includes robust health, dental, and vision insurance, generous paid time off, a retirement plan, and opportunities for continuous professional development within a leading global financial institution.
Working Conditions
This is a Full-time, Hybrid position based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, requiring an on-site presence. You will work within a dynamic corporate environment, collaborating closely with key stakeholders, other HR leads, and Senior Management across the Middle East & Africa region. The role demands strong leadership, project management, and analytical skills, with a significant focus on HR process improvement and strategic execution. You will be expected to work with a team of diverse skill sets and cultures, balancing data-driven insights with strong interpersonal skills. Standard business hours are generally observed, though the nature of global collaboration and project deadlines may require flexibility.
Why Work with Us
At Citi, you’re not just joining a bank; you’re becoming part of a global financial services powerhouse that connects millions of people across hundreds of countries. We are a leading institution committed to driving excellence in Business Strategy, Management & Administration and Human Resources. As the HR Business Execution Lead for Middle East & Africa, your role is pivotal in shaping HR initiatives and operational efficiency across a critical growth region.
We offer a challenging yet incredibly rewarding environment where your expertise in HR, project management, and operational excellence will be highly valued. You’ll be empowered to lead global process improvements, influence Human Capital strategies, and directly contribute to building a high-performing and engaged workforce in a diverse cultural landscape. If you are an action-oriented, entrepreneurial leader with a passion for driving strategic HR execution and a desire to make a tangible impact at the forefront of global finance, Citi offers an unparalleled opportunity for your next career chapter.
