Head of Talent Acquisition

Join to apply for the Head of Talent Acquisition role at University of Sharjah The University of Sharjah is committed to providing a world‑class educational experience that prepares lifelong learners and leaders with integrated knowledge and skills. We are passionate about building a collaborative and sustainable environment that cultivates twenty‑first‑century skills and fosters pioneering research and scholarship. We seek to serve the current and future needs of our local community and beyond by offering innovative academic and professional programs. Since its foundation in 1997, the University has successfully become one of the top Universities in the UAE and has managed to make its mark in the educational and research industry worldwide united by six core values: Integrity and Ethics, Dedication, Inclusiveness, Excellence with limitless Drive, Accountability and Transparency, and Innovation and Creativity. The University of Sharjah believes in the crucial role of scientific research in the development of the modern United Arab Emirates. Since its establishment, the university has put research at the top of its list of priorities. Part of the university's strategy is to promote research among faculty members in all colleges, with the aim of attracting outstanding faculty with impressive research accomplishments. University of Sharjah's Rankings 251-300 in Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023 Among the top 200 universities globally (176-200) in The World University Rankings 2023 by Subjects Among the best #121 universities in Asia In News Best Global Universities Rankings 2022/2023 =89th in The Young University Rankings in 2022 #61 The Emerging Economies University Rankings in 2022 Among the top 10 best Arab universities The Arab University Rankings 2022 About the Role As a Head of Talent Acquisition, you are expected to be strategically lead and manage the full talent acquisition lifecycle at the University of Sharjah, ensuring the effective and efficient attraction, recruitment, and onboarding of top‑tier talent. This role is responsible for developing and implementing a forward‑thinking talent acquisition strategy that aligns with the university's goals, builds a strong employer brand, and fosters a high‑performance culture. The Head of Talent Acquisition serves as a key partner to university leadership, driving operational excellence and continuous improvement in all recruitment‑related processes. Key Duties & Responsibilities Talent Acquisition Strategy and Process Management Lead the development, execution, and continuous improvement of the talent acquisition strategy, policies, and procedures, ensuring alignment with UOS's overall business objectives and best practices. Analyze and optimize all aspects of the talent acquisition lifecycle, from job application to new‑hire onboarding, to enhance efficiency and candidate experience. Identify, evaluate, and manage a diverse range of sourcing channels, including UOS's website, job portals, recruitment agencies, and other innovative methods, to attract top‑tier talent. Act as a subject matter expert and provide strategic guidance to line managers on all talent acquisition processes, including interview techniques, candidate assessment, and offer negotiation. Develop and deliver recruitment materials, manuals, and awareness sessions to enhance employee engagement and promote a consistent hiring culture across the university. Recruitment and Selection Oversight Oversee the entire recruitment and selection process, including reviewing and approving candidate shortlists, interview schedules, assessments, and reference checks. Review and approve all employment offers to ensure they are competitive and accurately reflect the agreed‑upon terms and conditions. Develop and maintain strong relationships with third‑party recruitment agencies, government entities, and other external partners to build a robust talent pipeline. Represent UOS at career fairs and other professional events to build the university's employer brand and attract qualified candidates. Oversee the new employee onboarding and orientation process, ensuring a smooth and successful transition for all new hires. Strategic and Administrative Management Collaborate with the HR Director and other heads to contribute to the preparation of the department's annual budget and provide professional input on the development of KPIs. Monitor and track the section's expenditures to ensure they remain within the allocated budget. Serve as a key member of the Human Resources Committee, providing insights and recommendations on a range of issues, including job candidates, promotions, and transfers. Implement and enforce a quality assurance management process to ensure the accuracy and integrity of all talent acquisition deliverables before they are submitted for final approval. Supervise the preparation of all section reports, ensuring they are timely, accurate, and meet departmental standards. Team Management and Development Provide strong leadership to the Talent Acquisition team, ensuring fair distribution of tasks and efficient workflow. Supervise the team's performance, set individual goals, and provide on‑the‑job training, coaching, and constructive feedback to build and develop their organizational capabilities. Oversee the effective achievement of the section’s objectives and ensure all team members understand their roles in achieving the section’s KPIs. Participate in the hiring process for the section, including identifying job requirements, reviewing resumes, and contributing to the selection and interview process. Implement and ensure adherence to the HR quality assurance management process, which entails that each team member is responsible for conducting a thorough review of other team members’ deliverables before submission to the concerned Head for review. Conduct an additional diligent review of the submitted deliverables before submission to the HR Director. Job Requirements Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to prepare professional documents, in both Arabic and English. Excellent working knowledge of personal computer applications with an emphasis on MS Office applications such as Excel, Word, and Teams. In-depth knowledge of various sourcing channels, recruitment methodologies, and assessment tools. A strong understanding of the end-to-end recruitment lifecycle and the ability to design and implement efficient, data-driven processes. Knowledge of best practices for creating a smooth and effective onboarding experience for new hires. The ability to use data and metrics (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of recruitment strategies and make informed decisions. Knowledge of ERP Systems related to HR operations would be an advantage. Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or a relevant discipline. Professional Human Resources certification (such as CIPD, SHRM, etc.) or a master’s degree in a related Human Resources field is a must. 12-14 years of UAE experience in a similar role, preferably in higher education institutions. Closing Date: 29/Jan/2026 Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level Employment type: Full‑time Job function: Human Resources Industries: Higher Education #J-18808-Ljbffr