Director Employee Relations MENA

About the Role

As the Director of Employee Relations for the MENA region, you will oversee Labor Relations, Human Rights, and HR Compliance activities. Your leadership will craft and implement strategies ensuring respectful, equitable, and effective workplace solutions that empower Business Managers to manage employee relations successfully, thereby enhancing engagement and productivity aligned with business objectives and industry best standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Guarantee adherence to DHL Employee Relations standards across MENA countries.
• Contribute proactively to regional Employee Relations strategies in partnership with key stakeholders.
• Lead and synchronize reporting on Labor Relations, Human Rights, and HR Compliance for timely escalation and communication with regional and global teams.
• Collaborate with Global Employee Relations to align on issues and initiatives affecting MENA.
• Implement and advance global and regional Employee Relations projects and strategic targets.
• Advise management and HR on best practices and approaches for employee relations, including human rights matters.
• Assist in resolving employee relations conflicts effectively.
• Engage with the DHL Express Compliance team and Global Employee Relations on compliance and human rights topics.
• Foster a workplace culture based on fairness, respect, inclusivity, ethics, and compliance.
• Ensure early risk identification and notification regarding Labor Relations to global and regional leadership.
• Monitor political and legal Labor Relations trends and their impacts within the region.
• Manage Collective Labor Agreement negotiations and maintain the regional ER calendar.
• Provide guidance and risk mitigation concerning local labor relations challenges and manage trade union relations in Bahrain.
• Ensure human rights compliance by integrating respect for rights into various functional policies and business processes.
• Handle human rights complaints, grievances, investigations, and continual improvements adhering to global governance.
• Train regional investigators, especially for cases involving senior managers, and maintain their capabilities.
• Organize and deliver employee relations trainings such as discrimination prevention, workplace investigations, and cultural development programs.
• Design and promote effective Human Rights awareness initiatives across the MENA region.
• Conduct compliance reviews to uphold DHL’s internal and external Employee Relations standards.
• Support responses to inquiries from customers, investors, and regulatory bodies concerning Human Rights.
• Oversee management of conflict of interest processes and related awareness programs across MENA.
• Ensure governance and oversight of conflict of interest incidents and compliance cases.
• Control applicant and employee screening in line with company standards.
• Lead regional HR audits and continuous improvements in compliance measures.
• Track resolution of top HR audit findings and other remediation measures related to Employee Relations.
• Monitor fulfillment of mandatory HR and compliance trainings region-wide.
• Support compliance with data privacy and protection laws for employee and applicant information.
• Continuously enhance HR compliance procedures, controls, and governance frameworks.

Candidate Profile

• Possess at least eight years of experience in Employee Relations or Labor Law.
• Hold a Master’s degree in Law, HR, Sustainability, or equivalent discipline.
• Social auditing certification (e.g., SMETA) is advantageous.
• Strong expertise in Labor Relations and Human Rights compliance.
• Experienced in managing workplace grievances and conflict resolution.
• Excellent communication skills with an aptitude for advice and consultation.
• Strong interpersonal abilities with experience collaborating with senior leaders.
• Effective decision-making and problem-solving capabilities.
• Culturally sensitive with a global mindset.
• Proficient in project management.
• International work experience preferred.
• Auditing skills are a plus.
• Fluent in English; knowledge of additional languages is favorable.

What We Offer

• Robust career development opportunities within a global environment.
• A vibrant workplace culture and supportive colleagues.
• A comprehensive benefits package.

Additional Information

This full-time role is based onsite in Muharraq, Bahrain. Candidates passionate about making a significant impact in employee relations within a multinational setting are encouraged to apply.