ABOUT DEPARTER - THE KNOW-WHO PEOPLE

Departer is a leading German Executive Search firm with over 20 years of experience in global leadership recruitment. We specialize in placing executives in medium-sized enterprises and private equity portfolio firms across DACH, MEAI, ASIA, and ANZ regions. With a deep understanding of the DACH economy, we facilitate successful placements within global management teams across corporate headquarters and entities abroad.

Our German client, a well-established industrial company, is launching a new, dynamic business venture in the UAE with a start-up spirit. Under a new brand focused on digital and service-driven solutions, the goal is to enhance efficiency, transparency, and sustainability for highly sophisticated clients with complex business models in market segments such as construction and infrastructure, operations and facility management, manufacturing as well as vertical multiples, which comprises projects in AI and vertical farming amongst others. We are looking for hands-on, forward-thinking professionals eager to build, shape, and drive something new from the ground up. 

In this entrepreneurial set-up, we are looking for a smart, hands-on, and versatile Office Manager (m/f/d) who is ready to wear many hats and thrive in a fast-paced environment. You’ll play a key role in shaping the company culture, overseeing core business functions, and being the heartbeat of the office.

Your duties and responsibilities will include:

• Lead end-to-end HR functions including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, training, compensation, and benefits. Align people strategy with business growth
• Drive initiatives to attract top talent, foster professional development, and promote a high-performance, people-first culture
• Ensure smooth day-to-day office operations – from vendor coordination to facilities, supplies, travel logistics, and scheduling
• Coordinate external communications, support media and PR efforts, and plan internal events, workshops, or customer-facing functions that elevate the company brand
• Monitor regulatory frameworks and ensure full compliance with local labor, tax, and administrative laws
• Develop and manage office- and HR-related budgets, identify cost efficiencies, and support financial reporting
• Work closely with the Managing Director and senior leadership team, supporting key initiatives and acting as a central point of coordination across departments
• Backbone of the Start-up: As a core team member in a flat-structured, start-up-style environment, you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and jump into anything from contracts to event logistics or culture-building projects.

To be successful in this role you should have the following skills and experiences:

• A completed Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or a related field is required; a Master’s degree is a plus
• Several years of experience in Office Management, Human Resources, or a similar all-round role – ideally in a dynamic or international setting
• Self-organized, adaptable, and solution-oriented, with a pragmatic and hands-on mindset
• Strong expertise in HR operations, talent acquisition, employee relations, and a sound knowledge of UAE labor and tax law
• Confident in public communication, whether organizing events, supporting PR, or representing the company externally
• Fluent in English (German or Arabic a plus), and have excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Your professionalism is matched by your emotional intelligence, personal integrity, and ability to handle sensitive topics with discretion
• Thrive in a collaborative, fast-moving environment and are motivated by growth, change, and continuous improvement

About Departer – The German Headhunter:

As an internationally oriented German HR consultancy for the recruitment of multinational professionals, Departer possesses a long-standing expertise in the core markets of Germany, Greater China, the Middle East, and Australia. Through our regionally established offices in Dubai, Brisbane, and Hamburg, we are valued as a reliable recruitment partner by numerous companies. We specialize in finding the best talent for middle and upper management positions with the focus on German, Swiss and Austrian companies from different industrial scopes, based in the MEAI region.

We expand our team and offer a great opportunity for an experienced Executive Search Consultant to own the end-to-end recruiting process for various international Executive Search projects in MEAI & APAC. The ideal candidate is passionate about people, possesses excellent communication skills, and can thrive in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate can provide excellent customer service, has multi-tasking skills, and can prioritize daily work requirements.

We believe in collaboration and trust, and that growth is based on mutual success. We are a team-oriented company that offers flexible working arrangements to provide the right balance between flexibility and efficiency.

Your duties and responsibilities will include:

• Oversee the end-to-end recruitment process, gaining a deep understanding of client objectives to seamlessly place outstanding candidates
• Collaborate closely with clients to define their talent needs and devise strategic approaches to identify and attract top-tier professionals
• Employ innovative, research-driven sourcing techniques to uncover exceptional candidates tailored to each client’s unique requirements
• Conduct thorough candidate assessments and interviews, ensuring precise alignment with role specifications and organizational fit
• Foster enduring relationships with clients and candidates, delivering transparent, timely communication throughout the recruitment journey
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities, articulately presenting our services to broaden our firm’s reach and impact
• Craft compelling job descriptions and candidate profiles that resonate with and attract the highest caliber of talent
• Engage in every client and candidate interaction with confidence and foresight, enhancing outcomes that strengthen our firm’s reputation
• Ensure an exemplary experience for clients and candidates alike, upholding the highest standards at every stage
• Leverage data and insights to refine recruitment methodologies, maintaining a competitive edge in talent acquisition
• Engage in Dubai’s professional landscape by participating in key local events alongside us, fostering connections, enhancing our network, and elevating our firm’s presence
• Use AI alongside data and insights to refine recruitment methodologies, ensuring a cutting-edge approach to talent acquisition
• Reporting to Managing Director

To be successful in this role you should have the following skills and experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• At least 3 years of hands-on recruiting experience, ideally in executive search
• A natural communicator with excellent English and German skills (written and verbal)
• Interest in application of latest AI technology 
• Proven ability to source and place candidates in roles like executive, engineering, sales, or operations
• Comfortable juggling multiple recruitment projects with ease and efficiency
• A proactive, business-savvy mindset—ready to spot and seize new client opportunities
• Digital know-how, including MS Office and recruiting tools
• Client-focused with a talent for building trust and delivering results
• Middle East experience is a bonus, but not required