Talent Development Partner

Overview

Talent Development Partner - GCC

Knauf stands for opportunity. This exciting role within Knauf GCC, based in Dubai, UAE, could be the perfect next opportunity for you to build a unique career in a values-led culture with a clear purpose of making tomorrow a home for all of us. We are a global manufacturer of construction materials with 42,000 team members in 96 countries across 300 sites.

We value everyone's contribution equally and encourage you to bring your whole self to work in a safe and inclusive environment. Knauf GCC is part of the Knauf Group, with heritage in gypsum manufacturing and big plans for the future.

We are looking for passionate, ambitious leaders to join the People Department as the Talent Development Partner, based in Dubai, UAE.

Can you say ‘yes’ to questions about respect for colleagues, customer focus, thinking of future generations, seeking opportunities to grow, and delivering results?

This role will be responsible for designing, implementing, and managing talent development strategies that enhance employee capabilities, leadership readiness, and organizational performance. It focuses on learning, career development, succession planning, and building a future-ready workforce aligned with business goals.

Onboarding

• Ensure new joiners have a smooth onboarding experience through development and execution of comprehensive induction plans, and maintaining check-ins.
• Develop frameworks and mechanisms to ensure continuous learning and development.
• Identify current and future training needs through job analysis, career paths, annual performance appraisals, and consultation with department heads to develop the L&D strategy.
• Assess immediate learning and development needs and develop the annual L&D plan.
• Align with Regional People Team to localize and execute learning and development initiatives in line with the overall Regional L&D Strategy.
• Manage and implement behavioral, leadership, and functional training programs in alignment with country/regional L&D strategy.
• Ensure enrollment in global leadership development programs.
• Promote and utilize the Build
  
  U Learning Management System (LMS) to manage and track all training activities.
• Establish metrics and evaluate the effectiveness of learning programs through assessments, surveys, and feedback mechanisms at Regional and Global levels.

Talent Development

• Develop and maintain Talent Development policies and practices reflecting Knauf Global and Regional strategy.
• Support the People Director in collaborating with senior leadership on the Talent Review and Succession Planning process to identify critical roles and potential successors.
• Implement development plans identified during the talent review to ensure a pipeline of qualified successors for key positions.
• Build Manager’s capability on talent development and coach them on talent processes.
• Support people managers in developing solid individual development plans.

Culture and Engagement

• Drive diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and develop infrastructure for an inclusive workplace; partner with champions and stakeholders on execution that aligns with Knauf’s DE&I targets.
• Develop and implement Knauf cultural programs.
• Localize and implement recognition programs that enhance employee engagement and retention, in alignment with regional recognition programs.

Projects

• Collaborate with Country/Regional People team to implement HR projects and initiatives.

Data and Analytics

• Maintain accurate learning and development records and documentation.
• Manage, monitor, and govern Talent Development budget.
• Track learning effectiveness and ROI using KPIs and analytics to measure progress and impact.
• Prepare reports on talent readiness, capability gaps, and program impact.

What we’d love for you to have:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive Talent Development, Culture and Engagement experience with at least 2 years in a manufacturing or plant environment.
• Experience in leading projects end to end, designing and delivering on Learning and Development, Culture, Diversity, and Talent Development related…