Requirements
The HR Coordinator will manage day-to-day HR administration, serving as the primary on-site HR contact. Responsibilities include supporting recruitment, onboarding, employee administration, payroll, benefits, attendance, employee relations, performance, and development, ensuring accurate and confidential records. The role requires coordination with various stakeholders including the Principal, school leadership, external partners, PRO/Government Relations, and Finance to ensure compliance with school policies, UAE employment laws, and ADEK requirements. Complex or high-risk matters will be escalated appropriately.
Description
About the CompanyGordonstoun has been a leader in character education for over 90 years. Through a broad curriculum combining academic challenge, adventure, service and the arts, we help pupils discover their potential and develop into confident, compassionate and capable individuals. At Gordonstoun Jubail Island, we combine this heritage with the values of Al Sanaa, promoting respect, hospitality, responsibility and strong community values. All staff contribute to the wider life of the school through service, challenge and community activities. Our core values are Compassion, Courage, Integrity, Service and Respect.About the RoleThe HR Coordinator will manage the day-to-day administration of Human Resources at Gordonstoun Jubail Island and act as the primary on-site HR contact for employees and school leadership. The role will support recruitment, onboarding, employee administration, payroll, benefits, attendance, employee relations, performance and development, while ensuring accurate and confidential employee records. Working closely with the Principal, school leadership, external HR/recruitment partners, PRO/Government Relations and Finance, the HR Coordinator will ensure HR processes comply with school policies, UAE employment requirements and relevant ADEK requirements. Complex, sensitive or high-risk matters will be escalated appropriately.ResponsibilitiesAct as the first point of contact for routine employee HR enquiries.Administer HR policies, procedures, forms and employee documentation.Support recruitment, workforce planning and coordination with hiring managers and recruitment partners.Coordinate pre-boarding, onboarding and employee induction.Prepare contracts, letters, NOCs, salary certificates and other HR documentation.Maintain accurate and confidential employee files, HR databases, HRMS/ERP records and compliance trackers.Coordinate with PRO/Government Relations on visas, work permits, Emirates ID and other government processes.Administer employee benefits and coordinate with insurance providers.Support monthly payroll processes, including payroll inputs and liaison with Finance.Maintain attendance, leave, probation, performance and development records.Support employee relations matters including grievances, disciplinary processes, performance concerns and workplace issues, escalating sensitive matters as required.Maintain safer recruitment and compliance records, including the Central Register, ADEK/PASS, qualifications, references and safeguarding documentation.Coordinate employee communications relating to HR policies, benefits and processes.Support employee engagement and wellbeing initiatives.Coordinate offboarding, including exit interviews, final payroll and benefits inputs, return of company property and government processes.Maintain the Employee Handbook and HR policy library.Ensure appropriate data protection, confidentiality and secure handling of employee information.Attend staff meetings and committees as required.Perform other duties reasonably required by the School.QualificationsBachelor's degree in HR, Business Administration or related discipline preferred.CIPD, SHRM or equivalent qualification desirable.Good knowledge of UAE employment practices and HR administration.Knowledge of ADEK, PASS and school-sector requirements desirable.Fluency in English and Arabic, written and spoken, is required.Required Skills3–5 years relevant HR generalist, coordination or HR operations experience, preferably in the UAE.Previous HR experience within a school or education environment is required.Experience across the employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, payroll, benefits, employee records, performance, employee relations and offboarding.Experience working with HR systems/HRMS and maintaining accurate employee data.Experience coordinating with PRO/Government Relations, Finance, insurance providers and recruitment partners.Experience within an ADEK or similarly regulated education environment is highly desirable.Preferred SkillsExcellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Arabic.Strong organisational and administrative skills with excellent attention to detail.Strong understanding of UAE employment practices and the cultural context of working within a UAE school.Discretion and ability to handle confidential and sensitive information.Proactive, collaborative and service-oriented approach.Commitment to Gordonstoun's values and the wider school community.