Job Description

Job Title: Head of Human Resources

Location: Islamabad, Pakistan
Travel: Regular travel across university campuses is required.

About the Role

GenZ Talent is hiring on behalf of a leading university for the position of Head of Human Resources We are seeking an accomplished HR leader to oversee the complete human resources function, drive strategic people initiatives, and build a high-performing, future-ready workforce. The successful candidate will work closely with executive leadership to align HR strategy with institutional objectives while ensuring operational excellence across multiple campuses.

Key Responsibilities

HR Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute the overall HR strategy aligned with organizational goals.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leadership on all people-related matters.
• Lead the HR function across multiple campuses and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Build and lead a high-performing HR team.

Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning

• Develop and implement talent acquisition strategies for academic, administrative, and leadership positions.
• Lead workforce planning, manpower budgeting, and succession planning.
• Strengthen employer branding and recruitment processes to attract top talent.
• Oversee onboarding and probation management.

Performance Management

• Design and manage the performance management framework.
• Implement goal-setting, performance reviews, and performance improvement plans.
• Drive a culture of accountability and high performance.

Learning & Development

• Develop leadership development and succession programs.
• Identify organizational capability gaps and training needs.
• Oversee employee learning, professional development, and career progression initiatives.

Compensation, Benefits & Rewards

• Develop and review compensation structures and salary benchmarking.
• Manage employee benefits, incentives, rewards, and recognition programs.
• Ensure internal equity and external competitiveness.

Employee Relations

• Lead employee engagement initiatives and organizational culture programs.
• Manage grievance handling, disciplinary matters, investigations, and conflict resolution.
• Foster positive employee relations across all campuses.

Organizational Development & Change Management

• Drive organizational design, restructuring, and workforce transformation initiatives.
• Lead change management programs to support institutional growth.
• Promote leadership effectiveness and organizational culture.

HR Operations & Administration

• Oversee HR policies, SOPs, employee records, contracts, and documentation.
• Ensure efficient HR operations and process standardization.
• Drive HR digital transformation and HRIS optimization.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure compliance with Pakistani labor laws and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and update HR policies in line with legal and organizational standards.
• Manage HR audits and compliance reporting.

Payroll & HR Analytics

• Oversee payroll coordination, attendance, leave management, and employee lifecycle processes.
• Monitor HR metrics, workforce analytics, and dashboards.
• Provide strategic insights through data-driven decision-making.

Health, Safety & Employee Wellbeing

• Promote employee wellbeing initiatives and wellness programs.
• Support workplace health, safety, and risk management practices.

Stakeholder Management

• Partner with senior leadership, academic heads, and departmental leaders on strategic workforce initiatives.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Travel regularly across university campuses to ensure consistent HR service delivery and engagement.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline. MBA preferred.
• Professional certifications such as SHRM-SCP, SPHR, CIPD, CHRP, or equivalent will be an advantage.
• 12–15+ years of progressive HR experience, including at least 5 years in a senior HR leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience managing the full spectrum of HR functions in a large and complex organization.
• Strong expertise in talent acquisition, organizational development, compensation & benefits, employee relations, payroll oversight, performance management, learning & development, and HR compliance.
• Excellent understanding of Pakistani labor laws and HR best practices.
• Experience leading organizational change, culture transformation, and strategic workforce planning.
• Strong leadership, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working in higher education or another large multi-site organization is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in HRIS, Microsoft Office, and HR analytics tools.

What We're Looking For

• Strategic, visionary, and results-driven HR leader.
• Strong business acumen with exceptional people leadership skills.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Ability to influence executive leadership and drive organizational transformation.
• Willingness to travel regularly across campuses as required.