HR Operations Lead/Manager

HR Operations Lead/Manager
Mission The HR Operations Lead/Manager, will oversee and continuously improve the full employee lifecycle for Groq in Saudi Arabia. The role demands a confident HR professional who can handle day‑to‑day HR operations ensuring compliance with local and regional regulations. This role is hands-on and focuses on operational excellence, technological innovation and seamless execution of employee lifecycle - translating overall HR strategies into practical processes and system capabilities that unlock data driven insights and deliver a progressive employee experience. They will play a key role in supporting our expansion into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the MENA region bringing their resilience, curiosity and passion. 
Responsibilities & opportunities in this role:Lead & Manage HR operations across the lifecycle: Drive onboarding, contract administration. and probation management, payroll and benefits administration, GOSI enrollment, Medical Insurance, leave management, all employee documentation and pay changes, promotions, traineeships, offboarding and end‑of‑service calculations. Maintain up‑to‑date employee records and ensure that data flows correctly across all HR systems and government portals. Continuously review the processes for improvement opportunities and implement automation.Ensure compliance and adherence: Monitor labor‑law changes, PDPL and anti‑discrimination rules; monitor and report Saudization/Nitaqat quotas; submit mandatory reports and generate certificates; and navigate changing requirements. Monitor and coordinate visas, exit-re-entry, work permit, iqama applications and renewals, as well as sponsorship transfers and dependent processing, working directly with the government relations.Manage portal operations & reporting: Act as the super‑user for Qiwa, GOSI, Muqeem, Absher, MHRSD, CCHI  portals. Prepare and submit payroll files via Mudad; compile and upload annual training data to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, self evaluation report, and ensure accuracy across all submissions.Collaborate cross‑functionally: Partner with finance to align payroll budgets and end‑of‑service settlements and accruals ; also with legal to incorporate new labour requirements into policies and contracts; and with IT to coordinate and arrange asset allocations and  access set ups and HR systems . Collaborate with the Groq Inc. Talent Operations team to ensure global Talent Strategy alignment and when it makes most sense to deviate based on local regulations, standards and best practices.  Continuously adapt processes to local labour laws while maintaining core standards.Drive improvements and automation: Evaluate HR operations continuously, design process enhancements, prepare HR metrics, reports and dashboards, and lead internal audits and serve as the primary point of contact for employees and managers HR Ops matters and requests. Operate with a high degree of independence, escalating issues when necessary. Assess and select HRIS solutions to support HR processes while ensuring data integrity and integrations with other business systems. Lead in system implementation projects. Identify and integrate AI-driven tools to enhance employee lifecycle.Employee experience and support: partner with talent teams to design, plan , and execute initiatives and processes that elevate the overall employee experience - ensuring timely onboarding, smooth internal movements and efficient support and resolutions to all things related to employee services - and leading employee engagement & well-being initiatives, activities, and internal comms.
Ideal candidates have/are:Saudi National, fluent in Arabic and English.Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or related discipline; advanced certifications (e.g., SHRM, CIPD) preferred.5+  years of hands-on HR operations experience with progressive responsibility, including exposure to Saudization and labour‑law compliance in Saudi Arabia,  ERP and HRIS implementations and roll out.Proven track record of designing, optimizing, and implementing full cycle HR processes and projects and leading technology implementations.Strong working knowledge of government portals and reporting requirements, especially Qiwa, GOSI, Mudad, CCHI and MHRSD.Experience with employee engagement and well-being, handling HR Ops related complaints.Preferred experience with HRIS and ERP implementations and integrations.Familiarity with AI applications in HR is an advantage.Independent and proactive with excellent organizational skills, confident in making decisions aligned with strategic guidance.Experience in record management , and drafting letters and official correspondence.High level of attention to detail with strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities.Adept at interpreting HR analytics and metrics to detect workforce trends, diagnose operational challenges, and implement targeted initiatives that improve HR efficiency and employee experience.Solid financial acumen and ability to understand and prepare compensation calculations and documentation.Strong interpersonal and communication skills; able to establish trust with multiple stakeholders.Flexible and adaptable, able to work in a fast‑changing, multicultural environment.Uphold confidentiality, data privacy (PDPL) and anti‑discrimination rules and policies.Ensure timely and accurate disclosure of required reporting eg; training data  and Saudization/Nitaqat compliance, pro-actively ensuring proper standing of requirements.Proactively identify and resolve issues or challenges with a high sense of ownership and courage to speak up and challenge the status quo.
Attributes of a Groqster:Humility – Egos are checked at the doorCollaborative & Team Savvy – We make up the smartest person in the room, togetherGrowth & Giver Mindset – Learn it all versus know it all, we share knowledge generouslyCurious & Innovative – Take a creative approach to projects, problems, and designPassion, Grit, & Boldness – No-limit thinking, fueling informed risk taking
This position may require access to technology and/or information subject to U.S. export control laws and regulations, as well as applicable local laws and regulations, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). To comply with these requirements, candidates for this role must meet all relevant export control eligibility criteria.

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