HR & Recruitment Specialist

Role Overview

This full-time position based in Dubai entails reporting directly to the HR Manager. The HR & Recruitment Specialist will be responsible for managing end-to-end, high-volume recruitment activities for the entire DEAL Holdings group, which includes the Food & Beverage division and all other affiliated businesses. The ideal candidate will have experience in rapid, volume-driven recruitment, preferably from an agency background, and will be well-versed in the unique rhythms and demands of the hospitality sector including flexible and unsocial working hours.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the recruitment process for all roles across multiple brands and business units, managing requisitions from initiation through offer acceptance and onboarding.
• Handle multiple vacancies simultaneously across various brands, ensuring quality recruitment while meeting time-to-fill and service level agreements.
• Develop and maintain active talent pipelines using digital platforms, referrals, walk-ins, and recruitment events to quickly fill open positions.
• Conduct initial phone screenings and first-round interviews in high volumes and schedule follow-ups with hiring managers across brands.
• Oversee the Applicant Tracking System (ATS), ensuring it is updated, accurate, and provides reliable recruitment reporting.
• Keep job descriptions, interview guides, and scoring criteria updated and tailored to each brand's requirements.
• Manage reference checks, negotiate offers, and issue legally compliant employment contracts.
• Coordinate with the Project Management Office (PMO) on recruitment requests, ensuring managerial hires go through proper approvals.
• Handle onboarding processes including preparation of employment contracts in accordance with UAE regulations, document verification, and coordination for visa and medical insurance with the PRO team.
• Schedule induction sessions and facilitate smooth first-day experiences for new employees across business units.
• Maintain employee records, attendance trackers, and manpower plans; support payroll data collection related to attendance and overtime.
• Monitor visa, medical, labor card, and insurance expirations, managing timely renewals or cancellations with the outsourced PRO team.
• Assist in updating HR Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), employee handbook, and internal communications.
• Proactively identify and escalate potential compliance risks related to UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on labor laws.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• At least four years of recruiting experience, with a significant background in high-volume hiring; experience in recruitment agencies highly preferred.
• Background recruiting for UAE's Food & Beverage, hospitality, or retail sectors is advantageous, especially within multi-brand or group settings.
• Willingness to work extended or flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, to support hospitality sector recruitment demands.
• Strong understanding of UAE labor laws, including Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, and familiarity with visa and PRO processes.
• Proficiency with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS).
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and organizational capabilities.
• Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Personal Attributes

• Resilient and energetic personality that performs well under pressure and volume recruitment demands.
• Self-driven and target-focused with the ability to operate independently.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and adept at managing deadlines.
• Adaptable, comfortable handling multiple brand priorities and diverse stakeholders.
• Positive, proactive, and customer service-oriented mindset.
• A collaborative team player with strong interpersonal skills.