Human Resources Director

Human Resources Director

RIG (Recruitment International Group) is seeking an experienced Human Resources Director to lead the HR function for an established and growing company within the military and defence sector in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This full-time role requires over 10 years of experience and offers a competitive salary dependent on experience. The HR Director will be responsible for developing and executing the company's people strategy, supporting organisational growth, and ensuring the necessary talent, structure, and HR infrastructure are in place to achieve long-term objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the overall HR strategy in line with business objectives.
• Provide strategic HR advice to the CEO, executive leadership team, and senior management.
• Build and develop a high-performing HR function appropriate for a growing defence organisation.
• Develop organisational structures, workforce plans, and succession strategies.
• Establish HR policies, procedures, and governance frameworks.
• Lead strategic recruitment across corporate, technical, engineering, manufacturing, and operational functions.
• Develop and implement strategies to increase the employment and development of Saudi national talent, ensuring HR practices support Saudiisation and localisation objectives.
• Oversee employee relations, disciplinary procedures, and workplace policies.
• Develop effective performance management and appraisal systems.
• Establish compensation, benefits, and reward structures.
• Ensure compliance with Saudi labour legislation, employment regulations, and defence sector governance requirements.
• Support organisational transformation and business expansion, including developing training and development strategies.

Candidate Profile

• Over 10 years of experience, preferably within a Saudi or GCC-based organisation.
• Experience within defence, military, aerospace, engineering, manufacturing, industrial, or another technically complex environment is highly desirable.
• Strong knowledge of Saudi employment legislation and HR practices.
• Demonstrable experience in Saudiisation/localisation and Saudi national talent development.
• Experience managing recruitment, workforce planning, performance management, and organisational development.
• Experience working directly with CEOs, executive teams, and senior stakeholders.
• Strong leadership and people management capabilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to operate strategically while remaining hands-on when required.

Desirable Experience

Preference may be given to candidates with experience in:

• Military or defence organisations.
• Defence manufacturing and production.
• Aerospace, engineering, and precision manufacturing.
• Government or government-related organisations.
• Joint ventures involving international defence companies.
• New manufacturing facilities or organisational start-ups.
• Large-scale workforce localisation programmes.
• Technical and engineering recruitment.
• Saudi Vision 2030 localisation initiatives.

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following attributes:

• Strategic and commercially minded.
• Highly credible with senior management.
• Comfortable operating in a technically complex environment.
• Discreet and professional.
• Strong in stakeholder management.
• Structured and analytical.
• Culturally aware and experienced in the Saudi business environment.
• Capable of building processes and teams while supporting rapid organisational growth.

The Opportunity

This is a senior HR leadership opportunity within a growing Saudi military and defence organisation. The role offers the chance to shape the company's people strategy, organisational structure, and localisation programme as the business continues to develop.