HR Operations Lead – KSA

Role Purpose

The HR Operations Lead is responsible for end-to-end HR operational excellence across ENGIE KSA. The role ensures consistent, compliant, and efficient delivery of core HR services including People Service Desk, Recruitment Operations, Learning Administration, Payroll & Time, and People Administration.

This role acts as the backbone of HR delivery, enabling HR Business Partners and business leaders to focus on strategic priorities by ensuring robust processes, data accuracy, service quality, and governance across all people operations.

Reporting Line

Reports to: HR Director – KSA
Direct Reports: GRO (Government Relations Officer) and HR Operations team members (as applicable)

Key Accountabilities

1. HR Operations & Service Delivery

• Own and manage HR Operations for KSA, ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant delivery of all HR services.
• Lead the People Service Desk, overseeing employee, manager, and HR queries and ensuring clear SLAs, escalation paths, and service quality.
• Drive standardization, consistency, and continuous improvement of HR processes across entities and sites.

2. Recruitment Operations

• Manage end-to-end recruitment administration, in close partnership with HRBPs and hiring managers.
• Key responsibilities include:
  • Advising HRBPs with market and recruitment data
  • Posting job vacancies
  • Sourcing and screening candidates
  • Coordinating interviews with stakeholders
  • Managing offer build-up, approvals, and documentation
• Ensure recruitment processes comply with local regulations, internal controls, and ENGIE governance.

3. Learning & Training Administration

• Oversee learning administration and coordination, including:
• Creation of learning items in systems
• Class scheduling and bookings
• Learner assignment and enrolment
• Management of cancellations
• Tracking and recording attendance and completion
• Support HRBPs and leaders in delivering learning plans through strong operational execution.

4. Payroll, Time & Benefits Administration

• Oversee payroll and time administration, ensuring:
• Accurate preparation of payroll master data
• Timely payroll processing and payslip preparation
• Administration of employee payments in coordination with Finance and vendors
• Ensure benefits administration and leave management are handled accurately and in line with policy and law.
• Act as the HR focal point for payroll audits, reconciliations, and issue resolution.

5. People Administration & Employee Lifecycle

• Manage all employee lifecycle administration, including:
• Personal data changes
• New joiner administration and onboarding (including externals)
• Contract administration and documentation
• Leave management and employee records
• Ensure data accuracy across HR systems and compliance with data privacy standards.

6. Government Relations Oversight

• Provide functional oversight to the GRO, ensuring:
• Timely processing of visas, Iqamas, renewals, and exits
• Compliance with Saudi labor, immigration, and GOSI requirements
• Strong coordination between HR operations and government processes

7. Compliance, Governance & Controls

• Ensure HR operations comply with:
  • Saudi Labor Law and local regulations
  • ENGIE policies, internal controls, and audit requirements
• Maintain documentation, trackers, and evidence required for audits and internal reviews.
• Proactively identify risks and operational gaps and implement corrective actions.

8. Continuous Improvement & Stakeholder Management

• Drive process optimization, automation, and simplification across HR operations.
• Build strong working relationships with HRBPs, Finance, IT, Legal, and external vendors.
• Provide regular operational reporting and insights to the HR Director – KSA.

Experience & Qualifications

• 8–10 years of progressive HR experience, with strong exposure to HR operations and shared services.
• Solid experience across recruitment operations, payroll, HR administration, and learning coordination.
• Strong working knowledge of Saudi labor law, payroll practices, and government processes.
• Experience managing HR operations teams and/or GROs preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Administration, or related field (MBA or certification is a plus).

Key Competencies

• Strong operational and process mindset
• High attention to detail and data accuracy
• Ability to manage volume, complexity, and deadlines
• Strong stakeholder management and service orientation
• Firm on compliance, calm under pressure
• Continuous improvement and problem-solving orientation