Corporate leadership training
Leadership in Human Resources Training Course in the United Arab Emirates
Build HR leaders who drive organisational success through people: shaping HR strategy around business goals, recruiting and retaining strong performers, running performance systems people trust and fostering a positive, high-performance culture, through practical workshops.
- In-person, virtual
or blended - Customised for
your organisation - Delivered worldwide,
including the United Arab Emirates - For HR managers, partners
and people leaders
Course overview
What Is Leadership in Human Resources?
Leadership in human resources is the capacity to steer HR as a strategic function that drives organisational success, not just one that administers employment. This course develops HR professionals’ ability to set HR strategy against business goals, plan staffing with analytics, acquire and retain talent, manage performance and rewards, champion diversity and well-being, resolve employee relations issues and manage change.
Engaging workshops, real-world case studies and interactive discussions have participants tackle staffing plans, appraisal systems and employee relations cases like those HR leaders in the United Arab Emirates face.
The course is shaped for HR leaders in the United Arab Emirates, where people strategy has to reflect UAE-specific labour laws, cultural nuances and market dynamics. Seasoned HR managers and emerging HR professionals learn to align HR with organisational goals, cultivate talent and foster a high-performance, inclusive workplace.
Why it matters
Why HR Leadership Matters in the United Arab Emirates
Organisations in the United Arab Emirates work within their own labour laws, cultural nuances and market dynamics. HR leaders who understand all three can align people strategy with business goals and build a workplace talent wants to stay in.
Competing for talent
Strong organisations depend on recruiting good people, developing them and giving them reasons to remain.
Culture and morale
Fair treatment, well-being and recognition shape whether people commit to their work.
Strategy needs people
A business strategy is only as achievable as the skills and commitment behind it.
Changing ways of working
Resilient HR leaders help organisations in the UAE adapt to shifting market dynamics.
The Knowles leadership approach
From Insight to Impact
A six-step people cycle runs from understanding the organisation’s direction to adapting HR’s own strategies, so every recruitment, development and engagement decision pulls towards the same business goals.
HR leadership in action
- 1. AlignWhat does the business need?
- 2. AttractWho do we need?
- 3. DevelopHow will people grow?
- 4. EngageDo people want to stay?
- 5. MeasureWhat do the data say?
- 6. EvolveWhat must HR change?
Key benefits
Why Organisations Choose This Course
This programme helps your leaders and your organisation to:
HR Aligned with Strategy
HR strategy is developed hand in hand with organisational goals.
Stronger Talent Pipeline
Top talent is recruited, developed and prepared for pivotal roles.
Fairer Appraisals
Appraisal systems built on clear goals and honest feedback.
Higher Engagement
Better morale and well-being encourage people to stay committed.
Inclusive Culture
Policies and practices that welcome people from every background.
Better People Decisions
HR metrics and predictive analytics sharpen workforce decisions.
Have questions about this course?
Our team is happy to help. Send us a message and we will get back to you within one business day.
Course curriculum
A practical and structured learning journey.
Twelve units in three stages progress from setting HR strategy alongside the business, to acquiring, appraising and developing talent, to building culture and leading organisational change.
- Unit 1
Strategic HR
- Develop HR strategies that serve the organisation’s goals.
- Build influential relationships with senior leadership.
- Free capacity for strategic work by simplifying HR routines.
- Unit 2
Workforce Planning
- Use predictive analytics to estimate future staffing needs.
- Compare available skills with those the business will need.
- Line up successors for pivotal positions.
- Unit 3
Policy and Compliance
- Implement HR policies and procedures that stay current.
- Comply with UAE labour laws and employment contracts.
- Uphold integrity and transparency in every HR practice.
- Unit 4
People Analytics
- Use HR metrics to follow turnover and engagement over time.
- Select the indicators that link HR to business results.
- Share HR insights that help leaders decide.
- Unit 5
Attracting Talent
- Set out the skills and roles the business must fill.
- Present an employer brand that attracts top talent.
- Onboard new recruits after fair, consistent selection.
- Unit 6
Appraisal Systems
- Design appraisal systems built on clear, shared goals.
- Help managers give constructive feedback and coaching.
- Tie results to rewards, benefits and improvement plans.
- Unit 7
Developing People
- Implement training initiatives matched to business priorities.
- Encourage leaders to coach their people.
- Plan careers for the people who will lead next.
- Unit 8
Retaining Talent
- Learn what makes good employees stay or move on.
- Benchmark salaries and benefits before valued people leave.
- Support lifelong learning that keeps people growing.
- Unit 9
Employee Engagement
- Survey morale and respond with visible action.
- Keep communication open between HR, staff and leaders.
- Reward and recognise strong contributions.
- Unit 10
Workplace Conflict
- Take complaints seriously and handle each one consistently.
- Use mediation and negotiation to settle disputes.
- Fix the root causes of repeat disputes.
- Unit 11
Inclusive Workplaces
- Run diversity training and awareness initiatives.
- Promote diversity in hiring and promotion decisions.
- Create inclusive policies so everyone can contribute.
- Unit 12
Leading HR Change
- Manage organisational transitions with resilience.
- Adopt modern HR technologies to work more efficiently.
- Help leaders manage teams who work remotely.
Course agenda
Two-day course agenda.
A sample agenda showing how the two days run, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The final agenda is agreed with you.
Welcome, objectives and introductions
Strategic HR
Morning break
Workforce planning
Lunch
Policy and compliance
People analytics
Afternoon break
Attracting talent
Day one reflection
Close
Recap and goals for the day
Appraisal systems
Morning break
Developing and retaining people
Lunch
Employee engagement
Workplace conflict and inclusion
Afternoon break
Leading HR change
HR leadership action plan
Close
Participant resources
What participants receive.
A practical set of resources to support learning during the course and application afterwards.
Course Workbook
Content, summaries and activities for every unit.
Templates and Worksheets
Ready-to-use tools to apply learning at work.
Action Plan Template
Turn learning into clear next steps.
Job Aids and Quick Guides
Key models, checklists and frameworks for daily use.
Digital Resources
Additional materials to revisit after the course.
Certificate of Completion
Recognition of the training completed.
Practical application
From theory to real workplace impact.
Through case studies, planning exercises and role-plays, participants apply each idea to the staffing, performance and employee relations challenges HR leaders in the UAE manage.
Workforce Plan
Estimate future staffing needs and plan how to meet them.
Appraisal Redesign
Assess a sample appraisal process and improve its fairness.
Grievance Case Work
Handle a grievance through mediation to an agreed outcome.
Engagement Plan
Translate staff feedback into practical steps for managers.
Who should attend
Designed for people who lead HR.
This course suits seasoned HR managers refining their leadership and emerging HR professionals building their careers, along with HR executives, line managers and business owners who want to lead people well.
- HR DirectorsSteer HR strategy with the executive team.
- HR ManagersDevelop HR teams and their initiatives.
- HR Business PartnersGuide managers on people matters.
- Line ManagersBring HR know-how to their own teams.
- Business OwnersPut HR basics in place as they grow.
- Aspiring HR LeadersMove towards an HR leadership role.
Course format and delivery
Flexible options to suit your organisation.
Choose the format and duration that fit your schedule and learning needs, whether at your workplace in the United Arab Emirates, online or a mix of both.
In-Person Training
Delivered at your organisation in the United Arab Emirates or at a suitable venue.
Virtual Training
Interactive, engaging live online delivery.
Blended Learning
A combination of in-person and virtual sessions.
Customised Training
Tailor case studies, organisation focus, delivery mode, modules and duration. Explore Customized Training
- Typical Duration2 Full Days9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Also available as a 1-day, half-day, 90-minute or 60-minute session.
Prerequisites
Prerequisites and experience level.
No formal prerequisites. Some experience of HR or people management helps, and the course works well for mixed groups.
No formal prerequisites
Open to anyone who leads or shapes HR work.
All experience levels
From HR officers to HR directors.
Designed for mixed groups
HR and line managers see people issues from both sides.
Bring a live issue
Bring a current HR challenge, kept anonymous, to work on.
Course framework
A structured approach to developing leaders.
Our framework guides participants through a learning cycle: diagnose their organisation’s people needs, shape an HR response, test it in discussion and apply it in their own workplace.
Practical and Actionable
Practical solutions participants can apply in HR straight after the course.
Relevant to the United Arab Emirates
Built on UAE labour laws, cultural nuances and market dynamics.
Strategic Outlook
A chance to see HR as a driver of organisational success.
The HR leadership cycle
- 1. LearnCore leadership principles
- 2. ExploreCase studies and discussion
- 3. PractiseRole-plays and simulations
- 4. ReflectSelf-assessment and journaling
- 5. ApplyReal-world projects
- 6. GrowMentoring and peer support
Key learning outcomes
From knowledge to lasting leadership impact.
By the end of this programme, participants will be able to:
- 01
Align HR to strategy
Set HR priorities that directly support business objectives.
- 02
Plan the workforce
Use HR analytics to anticipate the skills the organisation needs and how to secure them.
- 03
Run fair appraisals
Implement performance systems built on clear goals and fair feedback.
- 04
Develop talent
Develop career paths for future leaders.
- 05
Lift engagement
Use engagement findings with managers to raise morale.
- 06
Lead HR change
Keep people and HR systems steady during organisational change.
Talent is the part of strategy that walks out of the door each evening, so HR leadership decides whether a plan succeeds.
Example exercises and tools
Learn by doing.
Practical exercises, tools and realistic scenarios help participants take sharper people decisions and lead HR as part of the business.
Case studies and interactive discussions reflect real-world HR challenges in the UAE, from drafting an employment contract that meets local labour law to benchmarking salaries when a competitor is recruiting your best people. Participants practise mediating disputes and setting performance improvement plans, and leave with actions to take back to their organisation.
Talent Grid
Sort employees by how they perform today and how far they could grow, using nine boxes.
Stay Interviews
Draft questions to learn what makes valued people stay.
HR Dashboard
Pick the HR metrics senior leaders need on one page.
Policy Review
Audit an HR policy against standards of integrity and transparency.
Assessment
Assessment and learning progress.
A mix of steps before, during and after the programme keeps learning relevant and turns it into action.
Before the training
Share your goals and team context.
Agree the objectives and focus areas.
Confirm the format, timing and group.
During the training
Role-plays, simulations and practical exercises.
Feedback from experienced leaders as skills develop.
Group discussion and reflection.
After the training
A personal action plan for the workplace.
Self-assessment and guided journaling to track progress.
Ongoing learning through peers, mentors and the alumni network.
Workplace application
Relevant to your context.
Participants apply the concepts to real situations in organisations across the UAE, from recruitment and appraisal to salary benchmarking, restructuring and new HR technologies.
- RecruitmentRecruit top talent fairly.
- Performance ReviewsSet clear goals and give feedback.
- Employee RelationsMediate grievances and disputes.
- Learning ProgrammesGrow skills through training.
- RestructuringManage transitions with resilience.
- HR SystemsAdopt efficient HR technologies.
Let’s discuss your requirements
Request a Customised Leadership Programme.
Talk to our team about how this course can be tailored for your organisation in the United Arab Emirates or other locations worldwide.
- Share your priorities
- Receive a tailored proposal
- Explore delivery options
Adapting for the United Arab Emirates
Adapting the programme for Emirati organisations.
We tailor the course so it reflects your people, your sector and the context you work in.
Local case studies
Examples and case studies drawn from leaders in the United Arab Emirates.
Cultural awareness
Content that respects cultural nuances and builds inclusive environments.
Community focus
Projects that address real local and community issues.
Industry and organisation focus
Examples, terminology and scenarios from your sector.
Delivery worldwide
Flexible delivery across the United Arab Emirates and worldwide.
We deliver this programme in the United Arab Emirates and in other locations worldwide, with flexible formats and options to suit your organisation.
- In-person
- Virtual
- Blended
At Your Workplace
In-house sessions at your office in the United Arab Emirates.
A Venue You Choose
Delivered at a training venue that suits your team.
Live Online
Interactive virtual sessions wherever your people are.
Across Countries
Programmes coordinated across several locations worldwide.
Client experiences
What our participants say.
Word-for-word feedback from participants at organisations in Singapore. Read all reviews
Yes, but you must come with an open mind to self-reflect.
Yes definitely, since it teaches a fresh, highly constructive approach to problem-solving and team collaboration.
Yes, the strategic frameworks shared are highly practical and worth learning for career growth.
Yes, because it serves as a helpful reminder to prioritize mental well-being alongside daily targets.
Learning how to translate high-level company strategy into clear, measurable operational targets for our teams.
Yes, particularly for beginners who need a clear, structured way to start organizing workplace information.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this course.
What is the main focus of this course?
It develops HR professionals as strategic leaders: setting HR strategy against business goals, planning staffing, acquiring and retaining talent, running performance systems, fostering inclusion and engagement and leading change in the UAE.
What topics does the course cover?
Twelve units in three stages: HR as strategic partner (strategic HR, workforce planning, policy and compliance, people analytics), managing talent (attracting talent, appraisal systems, developing people, retaining talent) and culture and change (employee engagement, workplace conflict, inclusive workplaces and leading HR change).
Who should attend this course?
Seasoned and emerging HR professionals, HR directors, managers and business partners, line managers and business owners who want to lead HR more strategically.
Is the course suitable for new or first-time leaders?
Yes. Emerging HR professionals build a strong base for leadership, and seasoned HR managers refine how they lead strategically.
Is the course practical or theory-based?
Practical throughout. Workshops, case studies and discussions have participants plan staffing, improve an appraisal, mediate a grievance and act on engagement findings.
How long is the course?
The standard course runs over 2 full days, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It can also be delivered as a 1-day, half-day, 90-minute or 60-minute session.
Can the course be customised for our organisation?
Yes. We can adapt the content, examples and format to your goals, industry and team. See Customized Corporate Training for how we tailor programmes.
Can we use examples from our own industry?
Yes. We design and deliver our courses with subject matter experts in each field. Tell us about your industry, context and terminology when you enquire, and it will be taken into account.
Can we combine this course with other topics?
Yes. We can combine related topics into one programme or build a learning pathway across several sessions and levels.
Is this course available outside the United Arab Emirates?
Yes. We deliver this programme in other countries worldwide, in person or live online, and can coordinate it across several locations.
What delivery options are available?
In person at your workplace or a venue you choose, live online, or a blend of both.
What kind of exercises and activities are included?
A staffing plan, nine-box talent sorting, an appraisal review, grievance mediation, stay interview questions, an engagement plan and personal action planning, with feedback all along.
Do participants receive mentoring during the course?
Yes. Participants receive mentorship and constructive feedback from experienced leaders throughout the course.
Will participants build a professional network?
Yes. Participants connect with fellow participants, build mentoring relationships with facilitators and guest speakers, and can join an alumni network for ongoing learning.
How does the course support personal growth?
Through regular self-assessment and reflection, guided journaling to track progress and set goals, and techniques for mindfulness and stress management.
Is the course relevant to the Emirati context?
Yes. It is designed for HR leaders working in the United Arab Emirates, covering UAE-specific labour laws, cultural nuances and the talent challenges organisations there face.
Which cities in the United Arab Emirates can the course be delivered in?
We can deliver it in cities across the United Arab Emirates, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al Ain, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, and other cities on request. We also offer a full range of leadership courses in the United Arab Emirates.
Can we download a course brochure?
Yes. Download our course brochure for an overview of our training programmes.
How do we request a proposal?
Share your goals and requirements through the enquiry form on this page. Our team replies within one business day with suggestions and a tailored proposal.
Who can we contact about this course?
Email [email protected], call +65 6714 6663 or use the enquiry form on this page. We reply within one business day.
Next steps
From enquiry to delivery.
A simple, transparent process from your first message to the training day.
- 1
Enquiry
Share your training needs and priorities.
- 2
Consultation
We discuss and refine the scope with you.
- 3
Proposal
Receive a tailored proposal with delivery options.
- 4
Confirm
Review, adjust and agree the details.
- 5
Delivery
We deliver the programme for your team.
Get in touch
Get in touch about this course.
Tell us about your team and goals, and we will recommend the right format for your organisation in the United Arab Emirates. Fill in the form or contact our team directly.
- Email us[email protected]
- Call us+65 6714 6663
- Quick replyWe get back to you within one business day.
- Ask before you commitTalk to our team about the right course and format for your needs.
This course is customisable
We can tailor the content, examples and activities to your team’s industry, goals and workplace context. Explore Customized Training
Enquiry form
Request a Training Proposal
We use your details only to respond to this enquiry. See our privacy policy.