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Senior People Partner
Description
A client of byteSpark.ai is seeking an experienced Senior People Partner to join a well-established oil and gas services company based in Abu Dhabi. Reporting into the HR Director, this is a senior individual contributor role responsible for acting as a trusted advisor to business leaders across the organisation, covering the full employee lifecycle from workforce planning and performance management through to complex employee relations and organisational change. The business operates with a mixed national and expatriate workforce, and the successful candidate must bring a strong working knowledge of UAE labour law, Emiratisation requirements, and the interpersonal range to operate credibly across a diverse and technically oriented environment. Candidates must have a minimum of seven to ten years of HR experience with at least four to five years in a dedicated business partnering role. Experience in oil and gas, energy, or a technical services environment is preferred and will strengthen an application considerably. This role is not suitable for candidates who have operated purely in a generalist or transactional HR capacity and cannot demonstrate a track record of advising and influencing senior business leaders independently.
Requirements
1. A minimum of 7 to 10 years of HR experience with at least 4 to 5 years in a dedicated HR business partnering role
2. Strong working knowledge of UAE labour law and Emiratisation requirements
3. Proven ability to partner with and influence senior business leaders across a complex or technically oriented organisation
4. Demonstrated experience managing complex employee relations cases including grievances, disciplinaries, and separations
5. Experience supporting performance management cycles and contributing to wider talent processes
6. Ability to use people data and metrics to identify trends, surface risks, and present recommendations to leadership
7. Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work effectively across a diverse national and expatriate workforce
Desirable
1. Experience working within an oil and gas, energy, or technical services environment
2. Familiarity with HRIS platforms and people analytics tools
3. Bilingual proficiency in English and Arabic
4. Experience supporting organisational change or restructuring programmes
5. CIPD, SHRM, or equivalent professional HR qualification
Role Highlights
💰 Compensation
AED 25-28k per month + visa and medical (employee only)
📍 Location
Abu Dhabi
💼 Work Location Type
Onsite
📈 Job Level
Executive
⌛ Experience
7+ Years
🏢 Department
Human Resources
🏭 Industry
Oil, Gas & Mining
🔹 Sub-Industry
Oil & Gas
Getting StartedA few quick details so we know how to reach you
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Final DetailsSalary expectations and any supporting credentials
1. Where does your salary sit today (so we can help it move up tomorrow)?*
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2. What's the number that'll make you say this is worth it?*
Per month, in the currency mentioned
3. How many years of experience do you have in a dedicated HR business partnering role, not total HR experience?*
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4. How would you describe your experience managing complex employee relations cases such as grievances, disciplinaries, and separations under UAE labour law?*
Select the option that most accurately reflects your direct experience
5. How would you describe your hands-on experience with Emiratisation, including supporting compliance and developing UAE nationals?*
Select the option that most accurately reflects your direct experience
6. Which of the following sectors best describes the environment you have spent the majority of your HR career in?*
Select the closest match to your primary sector experience
7. Describe a situation where you influenced a senior business leader to change their approach to a people matter. What was the situation, how did you handle it, and what was the outcome?*
Keep it concise. Two to four sentences is enough. We are looking for evidence of independent advisory impact, not length
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)Have a question? Check here for quick answers

This role is being recruited by byteSpark.ai on behalf of a client. byteSpark.ai is a talent and recruitment platform and is not the employer for this position. We are acting as the recruitment partner for a well-established oil and gas services company based in Abu Dhabi. The identity of the hiring client will be shared with candidates at the appropriate stage of the process, once mutual interest has been established.

This role is based in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Candidates must be based in Abu Dhabi or willing to relocate to Abu Dhabi prior to starting the role. There are no regular travel requirements to other markets as part of this position.

The process typically runs in four stages. First, your application and resume are reviewed by the byteSpark.ai team against the evaluation criteria for the role. Shortlisted candidates are then invited to an initial fit call with a byteSpark.ai consultant to discuss your background and the role in more detail. This is followed by a role-specific evaluation stage, which may include a structured competency discussion relevant to HR business partnering and employee relations. Final stage candidates are introduced to the hiring client's HR Director and relevant leadership for a closing discussion.

We aim to provide an initial update within three to five business days of receiving your application. During periods of high volume or when the shortlisting process requires additional care, this may take a little longer. We appreciate your patience and want to be upfront that we review every application properly rather than rushing the process.

Absolutely. Your application and all information you share through byteSpark.ai is treated with full confidentiality. The identity of the hiring client will not be disclosed until mutual interest has been confirmed and you have consented to being put forward. Your current employer and any other third parties will not be contacted at any stage without your explicit permission.