People Manager - Ogilvy UAE

We are looking for an People Manager to support the MEMAC Ogilvy People Team. This role will principally support the Chief People Officer, and also other key members of the MENA leadership team, when requested. However, there is fluidity in the Ogilvy People community which means that you may be moved between business areas depending on the needs of the business. 

Memac Ogilvy is one of the leading creative networks in MENA with its flagship office in the UAE and a strong local footprint in the GCC and North Africa. It is part of the formidable worldwide WPP & Ogilvy network. It’s the only truly integrated comms network – with Growth & innovation, Advertising- Brand & Content, PR & Influence, Experience & Health under 1 P&L and under single leadership. Memac Ogilvy is the most integrated modern creative and effective partner for client growth in MENA. We deliver on this by combining expert and new capabilities for modern marketing solutions, with solid project management expertise for agile and effective delivery as well as a thorough and passionate People agenda.  

The agency is the most awarded Middle Eastern agency in Cannes as well as a big winner at the local award show Lynx. It counts around 500 staff members.  

The People Manager will be part of a dynamic support team. His/her partners include the Chief People officer MENA & the HR Business Partners in the UAE as well as the wider MENA admin teams. 

The role is for an experienced, confident and highly organized People Manager. Reporting into the MENA Chief People Officer, who leads the business and people in 7 offices, across the MENA region.  

The ideal candidate must have business acumen and a professional demeanor that facilitates easy dealing with clients and colleagues from different nationalities and time zones. They will be an organizational force given the complex and intensive nature of the business and will have strong resilience and flexibility in the face of changing scenarios and plans. Previous agency experience is a plus.

As importantly, the person in this role will represent the agency and its values and must mirror the diverse, inclusive & people-first culture of the agency.  

The main responsibilities of the role include: 

• Develop and implement HR strategies and initiatives aligned with the overall business strategy. 

• Bridge management and employee relations by addressing demands, grievances or other issues. 

• Manage the HRIS system and implement it in the MENA region. 

• Navigate and monitor employee induction and exit process. 

• Support current and future business needs through the development, engagement, motivation and preservation of human capital. 

• Develop and monitor overall HR strategies, systems, tactics and procedures across the organization. 

• Nurture a positive working environment. 

• Oversee and manage a performance appraisal system (Career Conversations) that drives high performance. 

• Maintain pay plan and benefits program. 

• Assess training needs to apply and monitor training programs. 

• Report to management and provide decision support through HR metrics. 

• Ensure legal compliance throughout human resource management. 

• Provide ad hoc admin support to the senior leadership team.

• Manage multiple task lists, seeing tasks through to completion, often under tight deadlines. 

• Lead and complete special projects as required.
• Maintain records, reports and files up to date and organized.
• Any other ad hoc duties as assigned.
• Proven working experience as HR Manager or other HR Executive.

• People oriented and results driven. 

• Demonstrable experience with Human Resources metrics. 

• Knowledge of HR systems and databases. 

• Ability to architect strategy along with leadership skills. 

• Excellent active listening, negotiation and presentation skills. 

• Competence to build and effectively manage interpersonal relationships at all levels of the company. 

• In-depth knowledge of labor law and HR best practices. 

• Degree in Human Resources or related field. 

• Highly resilient with a demonstrable strong work ethic. 

• Excellent verbal and written communication & presentation skills, including maturity and comfort in dealing with senior stakeholders. 

• Willingness to be adaptable and undertake a broad variety of tasks, ability to be flexible in working on different global time zones when required. 

• Advanced MS Office and media options (including PowerPoint and Keynote, Word, Excel, & Outlook & MS Teams). 

• Must possess strong administration/office skills including business etiquette, answering phones, and fielding requests.

• Strong multi-tasking skills and the composure required to display grace under pressure.  

• Proven ability to take initiative and think and plan ahead. 

• A “can do” attitude and the willingness to perform a wide variety of tasks required to meet the daily demands of the business. 

• Proven time management and organizational skills and an exceptional ability to pay attention to detail in a fast paced, multi-tasking environment.

• Ad agency or media experience an advantage but not essential – equally experience gained in a large client organization.