SBI Middle East is looking for an HR & Operations Manager based in Dubai to run HR, administration and operations for the team on site. SBI is a consulting and integration firm specialised in data, BI and EPM (Pigment, Snowflake and more). The Middle East team works in a hybrid mode, with clients across the region (mainly the UAE, KSA and Oman today), and works daily with SBI teams in other countries, notably on finance topics.
The mission: be the single point of support for the team on site, from legal and banking paperwork to team energy, and help the office scale, notably by taking charge of recruitment.
The role is cross-functional and covers the Middle East region, not a single country. The scope is currently centered on the UAE and KSA, but some functions and tasks will evolve with the geographic coverage and the needs of the office.
Key responsibilities include:
The role covers six areas across the Middle East region. Today this mainly means the UAE and KSA; the content of the tasks will evolve with geographic coverage and business needs.
1. HR and people administration
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Contracts, amendments, onboarding and offboarding (resignations, last working days, final settlements).
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Employee files: salaries, allowances, certificates, follow-up of documents to sign.
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Monthly payroll: preparing salaries, validating with management, WPS transfers.
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Timesheets: chasing and validating them at month end, consolidating them for client billing.
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Health insurance: working with brokers, comparing offers, annual renewal.
2. Visas, permits and compliance (countries covered, currently UAE and KSA)
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Visas, renewals, cancellations, labour cards and MOHRE updates.
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Trade licences, VAT certificates, tax registrations and tracking of renewal deadlines.
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Coordination with lawyers, PRO services and authorities for the entities of the region.
3. Banking, accounting and finance operations
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Bank relationships: coordinating the relationship with the bank and managing any services requirements.
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Coordination of the external accountants in the UAE: bank statements, quarterly documents, filings.
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Preparing supplier payments and getting transfers validated with the group finance team.
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Employee expenses, invoices and supporting documents.
4. Billing and client operations
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Preparing and sending monthly timesheets and billing trackers to clients.
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Administrative support to sales and project teams (contract documents, tender paperwork).
5. Service providers and office management
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Coordinating third-party providers: banks, the PRO in the UAE, the accountant in the UAE, the partner company handling administration in KSA, cleaning and other office suppliers.
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Running the office: suppliers, subscriptions, equipment, access and supplies.
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Organising travel, hotels and bookings.
6. Team life and growth
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Running team life: events, rituals, onboarding of new joiners, collective energy.
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Following engagement surveys (Office Vibe), including reminders and the resulting action plans.
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Taking over recruitment: relationships with sourcing partners and agencies, interview scheduling, candidate and contract follow-up.
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Helping structure HR (organisation chart, processes, policies) to support the strong growth of the team.
Qualifications :
We are looking for a versatile, highly autonomous person who is comfortable in a small office where everyone wears several hats.
Experience
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Several years in generalist HR, administration or operations, ideally in an SME, a consulting or services firm, or an office in a growth phase.
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Practical knowledge of how companies operate administratively in the Middle East, ideally in the UAE: visas, MOHRE, licences, WPS, insurance, banks. Knowledge of KSA and other markets of the region is a plus.
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Experience in recruitment and in coordinating external firms and service providers.
Languages
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Fluent English, written and spoken: essential.
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Arabic: a strong plus.
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French: a plus, as a large part of the team and of our group counterparts (finance in particular) is French-speaking.
Skills
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Administrative rigour, tracking deadlines and open files until they are closed.
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Comfort with numbers: reading bank statements, payroll and billing tables, accounting basics.
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Excel and collaborative tools (Microsoft 365, Teams); comfortable with business management tools.
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Clear, professional writing, including with authorities and clients.
Personal qualities
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Proactive: anticipates deadlines and follows up without being asked.
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Versatile and hands-on: can move from a visa file to organizing an event.
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Service-minded and discreet on sensitive topics (payroll, contracts, personal situations).
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Positive energy and a desire to bring the team together.
We offer
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A collaborative, flexible, and supportive work culture where ideas are valued
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A vibrant, fast-growing multinational team working on exciting projects across the Middle East and Africa
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International exposure and real career growth opportunities
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Continuous learning and professional development programs
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An annual all-expenses-paid company seminar bringing together all teams to connect, learn, and grow
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Full compliance with UAE labor law, including visa, insurance, and paid leaves
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Competitive salary packages with performance-driven bonuses
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Comprehensive health insurance coverage
Our recruitment process:
- First Round – HR Interview
You'll meet Sandra, Director of recruitment in North America - Second Round - Manager Interview
You'll meet Karim, CEO of Middle East & Africa - Final Decision
Internal alignment and, if successful, a formal offer to join the team!