Senior Manager Operations

Roles and Responsibilities

• Lead strategic recruitment of top UAE national talent for Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi.
• Be the owner of all Emiratisation initiatives and manage them accordingly including career fairs, recruitment days and government schemes.
• Ability to identify and exploit opportunities for positive PR to support the building of our employment brand amongst the UAE National population.
• Build and maintain relationships with Emirati educational institutions and government entities.
• Liaise with the Director of People & Culture, General Manager, Directors, and Line Managers on all government related matters.
• Ensure strict compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies and procedures.
• Oversee the training and continuous development of all Emirati colleagues and support Management in conducting timely performance reviews.
• Champion Emirati colleague well-being.
• Develop strategies/trainings to enhance cultural awareness within Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi, helping expat colleagues to understand and celebrate UAE traditions and culture.
• Be available to Emirati team members and Managers for advice and guidance.

Key Competencies & Requirements

• Fluency in Arabic and English, with strong written and verbal communication skills.
• A passion for Emiratisation and a commitment to developing a diverse and inclusive team.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including government entities and educational institutions.
• Understanding of People & Culture principles and practices, particularly in recruitment, performance management, and colleague relations.

Desired Candidate Profile

1. Strategic Planning & Execution

• Strategy Development: Collaborate with senior leadership to develop long-term strategies and plans that align with the organization’s goals. Ensure that the department or function’s objectives contribute to the broader business strategy.
• Implementation: Lead the execution of business strategies and initiatives within the team or department, making sure they are delivered on time and within budget.
• Performance Metrics: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of departmental strategies and continuously monitor progress against targets.

2. Team Leadership & People Management

• Team Supervision: Lead and manage a team or multiple teams, ensuring that roles and responsibilities are clearly defined, tasks are delegated, and work is performed to a high standard.
• Coaching & Development: Mentor and guide team members to help them develop professionally. Provide feedback, training, and growth opportunities to enhance team performance and individual career development.
• Performance Management: Monitor and evaluate the performance of team members. Conduct regular performance reviews, set goals, and provide constructive feedback to improve productivity and efficiency.
• Conflict Resolution: Address any interpersonal or team issues, mediate conflicts, and foster a collaborative and positive work environment.

3. Operations Management

• Process Optimization: Identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement in operations, and implement process improvements to increase productivity, reduce costs, or improve quality.
• Budgeting & Resource Allocation: Oversee departmental budgets, manage financial resources, and ensure that expenditures align with organizational goals. Allocate resources effectively to meet business needs.
• Risk Management: Anticipate and mitigate potential risks to business operations, whether related to resources, compliance, or operational challenges.
• Quality Control: Ensure that processes and outputs meet the required standards and comply with internal and external regulations.

4. Project Management

• Project Oversight: Lead cross-functional projects, ensuring that they are completed on time, within scope, and within budget. Coordinate with other departments to ensure that necessary resources are allocated and projects stay on track.
• Problem Solving: Troubleshoot issues that arise during project execution, making adjustments to timelines, resources, or strategies as needed to resolve challenges.
• Reporting: Track project progress and provide regular status updates to senior leadership, highlighting any risks or roadblocks that might impact successful completion.

5. Stakeholder & Client Management

• Internal Collaboration: Work closely with other departments and functions within the company to ensure that business objectives are met and resources are allocated effectively. Facilitate communication between senior leadership and department heads.
• Client Relationships: If relevant to the role, manage relationships with key clients, vendors, or partners. Understand client needs and ensure that services or products are delivered according to expectations.
• Customer Satisfaction: Ensure that the department or team delivers high-quality service or products to internal and external customers, leading to customer satisfaction and retention.