HR Manager - KSA

Role overview

This position is for the first HR professional to join the Saudi Arabia operation and take ownership of building the country-level HR function from the ground up. The role is centered on daily HR execution, statutory compliance, and hands-on support for employees and managers across the Saudi entity.

The scope is highly operational and largely independent. It calls for deep working knowledge of Saudi employment rules, payroll, immigration and work authorization processes, as well as employer obligations in the Kingdom. The successful candidate must be a Saudi national or a resident already eligible to work in KSA, and must communicate fluently in English.

Key responsibilities

You will establish and run core HR processes for the Saudi business, covering onboarding and exit management, employment contracts, employee files, and HR system administration.

You will also ensure the organization remains compliant with Saudi Labor Law, GOSI, WPS, Saudization/Nitaqat, MOL requirements, and related local regulations, while keeping filings and submissions on time.

The role includes creating, adapting, and rolling out employee policies and the handbook in both English and Arabic, ensuring alignment with Saudi Labor Law and PDPL. Areas to be covered include recruitment, onboarding, probation, attendance, leave, discipline, grievances, and code of conduct.

You will oversee government relations and third-party vendors handling visas, Iqama and work permits, medical examinations, and dependent sponsorships, including tracking renewals and resolving portal-related issues.

Payroll management is part of the role from start to finish, along with administration of statutory and local benefits.

You will manage the employee lifecycle end to end, including contract preparation in Qiwa, probation tracking, ID and Iqama processing, background verification, and exit formalities.

Recruitment support will include hiring locally and coordinating with the China headquarters on critical positions.

The position also supports mobility needs for international assignees in Saudi Arabia, including visa and work permit processing, and support related to housing and transportation where required.

In addition, you will coordinate with external partners such as recruitment firms, payroll vendors, legal advisers, and government service centers, and help select, implement, and run HRIS and payroll tools, including data migration, integrations, user access, and reporting.

Ad hoc HR initiatives linked to business growth and integration with headquarters will also form part of the role.

Qualifications

The role requires a Saudi national or a local resident who is legally allowed to work in KSA.

You should be fluent in English, both written and spoken. Mandarin Chinese is an advantage.

A bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related discipline is required.

You must bring at least 8 years of practical HR experience in Saudi Arabia, preferably with exposure to setting up HR operations for a new entity or start-up.

Strong hands-on understanding of Saudi labor legislation, visa and Iqama procedures, GOSI, WPS, Saudization rules, and payroll operations is essential.

The ideal candidate should be able to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and perform effectively in a fast-moving, multicultural environment with regular interaction with the China headquarters.

Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving abilities are important, along with a high level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism.

Additional information

This is an onsite full-time role based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

No salary or stipend amount has been specified for this position.