Regional People Manager Middle East Jobs in Dubai 2025 – Lead Growth, Culture, and People Impact at Dow Jones

Job Overview
About the Company
Available Jobs at Dow Jones (Related Openings)
Job Description
Job Responsibilities
Why This Role?
Requirements
How to Apply
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Job Overview

If you’re searching for a Regional People Manager Middle East Dubai opportunity that blends strategic HR leadership with real regional influence, this role at Dow Jones is built for impact. Based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, you’ll support a high-growth phase across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, partnering with senior stakeholders and enabling a people-first employee experience throughout the full lifecycle.

Job Title: Regional People Manager, Middle East
Company: Dow Jones
Location: Dubai, UAE
Employment Type: Non-Union role (Full-time role typical for this level)
Start Date: To be confirmed / ASAP (based on business need)

Quick Summary:
Dow Jones is expanding across the Middle East and is hiring a commercially savvy, high-EQ People leader who can operate confidently across cultures, manage compliance across jurisdictions, and guide leaders through change—while keeping employees supported, engaged, and thriving.

Regional People Manager Middle East Jobs in Dubai 2025 – Lead Growth, Culture, and People Impact at Dow Jones

About the Company

Dow Jones is a global media and information leader known for trusted journalism and business intelligence. With world-recognized brands under its umbrella, Dow Jones operates in fast-moving, high-stakes environments where accuracy, integrity, and impact matter.

In the Middle East, Dow Jones is focused on strategic growth—meaning the People function isn’t just “support,” it’s a competitive advantage. The company emphasizes values such as Collaboration, Trust, Impact, and Excellence, and this role is designed to bring those values to life through modern HR practice, strong local compliance, and a strong employee experience.

Available Jobs at Dow Jones (Related Openings)

Alongside the Regional People Manager Middle East Dubai role, Dow Jones often hires across commercial, editorial, and operational teams. Here are related openings/role types that commonly appear in Dubai and the region (useful for expanding your search and matching keywords):

Account Manager (Business Intelligence) – Dubai
Account Manager II – Dubai
Sales Specialist, Risk and Compliance – Dubai
Director, Business Operations – Dubai
Deputy Middle East Bureau Chief – Dubai

Tip: If you’re building a long-term Dow Jones career path, People leadership roles often partner closely with Sales, Business Operations, and Editorial leaders—so understanding these functions can make your application stand out.

( See more jobs in Dubai)

Job Description

The Regional People Manager, Middle East sits at the intersection of growth, culture, compliance, and leadership. You’ll act as the local People point of contact for multiple countries while also operating within a broader EMEA People Team and global Centers of Excellence (COEs).

This role is ideal for an HR professional who:

Enjoys working in a matrixed, global organization
Can confidently advise leaders during ambiguity and change
Balances business priorities with employee advocacy
Understands regional employment frameworks in UAE, KSA, and Qatar
Builds trust quickly across cultures and seniority levels

You will report to the Senior Director, People and work closely with the General Manager for the Middle East and the People Business Partner (APAC & Middle East).

Job Responsibilities

Below are the core responsibilities, written in a clear, SEO-friendly format with practical context:

Serve as the regional People lead in the Middle East, acting as a trusted advisor to employees and managers across UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
Drive end-to-end employee lifecycle support, including hiring, onboarding, engagement, retention, performance planning, employee relations, and career development.
Lead People operations and compliance, ensuring HR processes align with local legal requirements, including Freezone/Mainland compliance and documentation standards.
Partner with business leadership to understand commercial goals and translate them into People strategies that support growth, productivity, and culture.
Collaborate on global HR programs and projects, aligning local execution with global standards while adapting to local realities.
Navigate ambiguity with confidence, solving problems even when processes aren’t fully defined—and communicating clearly, with transparency and good intent.
Build localized HR practices and policies that help attract, retain, and mobilize talent, supporting long-term competitiveness in the region.
Coordinate with central People Operations teams to manage documentation, audits, and compliance requirements across jurisdictions.
Use HR systems (including Workday) to maintain accurate records, improve workflows, and leverage insights through data and analytics for better decision-making.

Why This Role?

This is not a “maintenance HR” role—it’s a growth-era leadership role where your decisions shape culture, leadership capability, and retention in a rapidly evolving region.

What makes it especially attractive:

Regional scope and influence: You’re supporting multiple markets (UAE, KSA, Qatar), which accelerates your growth and strategic exposure.
Leadership proximity: Direct partnership with senior regional leadership and global People COEs gives you visibility and momentum.
High-impact change environment: Expansion periods allow People teams to introduce best practices, upgrade systems, and improve employee experience quickly.
Strong benefits offering: Dow Jones highlights healthcare coverage, paid time off, retirement plans, wellness resources, education benefits, family care support, and fitness reimbursement—valuable for long-term stability and quality of life.
Values-driven culture: The focus on Collaboration, Trust, Impact, and Excellence makes this role ideal for People leaders who want credibility and purpose—not just policies.

If you enjoy building relationships across cultures and want your HR work to directly enable business outcomes, this is the kind of role that becomes a career cornerstone.

Requirements

Here’s what Dow Jones is looking for, summarized in an easy checklist format:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in HR or a People-related discipline
Certifications (preferred): CIPD, SHRM, or HRCI
Experience: 5–7 years of progressively responsible regional HR experience
Regional expertise: Working knowledge of employment/labor laws and HR operations in UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar
HR practice maturity: Proven track record contributing to the creation and/or expansion of HR best practices
Employee advocacy: Ability to balance business needs with employee experience and fairness
HR systems: Proficiency using HR tools (including Workday) and applying data + analytics to recommendations
Employee relations: Comfortable handling sensitive issues under pressure with discretion and confidence
Core skills: Strong organization, prioritization, attention to detail, and independence
Communication: Excellent English (written and verbal); Arabic is an advantage
Mindset: Positive, collaborative, thrives in fast-paced, cross-matrixed global environments

How to Apply

To apply for the Regional People Manager Middle East Dubai role:

Click Here to Apply!

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1) Is this Regional People Manager Middle East Dubai role only for UAE nationals?

No. The posting focuses on regional HR expertise and does not indicate a nationality restriction. Eligibility typically depends on hiring criteria, compliance, and visa/work authorization processes.

2) Do I need Arabic to apply for the Dow Jones HR role in Dubai?

Arabic is listed as advantageous, not mandatory. Strong English communication is essential. If you don’t speak Arabic, highlight your cross-cultural stakeholder management and regional experience.

3) Which countries does the role cover?

This role supports the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, working across localized compliance, employee relations, and employee lifecycle support.

4) What HR system experience is preferred?

Dow Jones mentions Workday specifically. If you’ve used Workday for employee data, reporting, workflows, or process improvements, include clear examples in your CV.

5) What’s the best way to stand out in a Middle East regional HR manager application?

Use measurable proof. Examples:

Reduced attrition or improved engagement scores
Improved onboarding time or hiring quality
Successfully navigated complex ER cases
Built policies that improved compliance and employee experience
Led manager coaching or performance frameworks across multiple countries