Summary
Knight Frank Middle East is seeking a Human Resources Specialist in Riyadh to support HR operations and government relations across Saudi Arabia. The role handles employee lifecycle administration, payroll and benefits support, HR records, and transactions through government platforms, including QIWA, GOSI and Muqeem. It also coordinates visa and government documentation, liaises with authorities, and supports labour-law compliance and Saudization requirements. Applicants should have 5 to 7 years of relevant experience, fluency in Arabic and English, and Saudi nationality is preferred.
The posting
As published on knightfrank.ae. Pulled from the employer's site and shown as they wrote it.
Overview As an integral member of the People and Culture team, the HR Specialist will support the delivery of general HR services and projects, as well as HR operations and government relations activities across Saudi Arabia. The role is responsible for supporting the HR Lead and HR Operations Specialist with the delivery of HR projects, in addition to executing day-to-day HR administration and government-related processes and providing advisory services, ensuring compliance with Saudi labour laws regulations, Saudization requirements, and company policies. This is a hands-on people interfacing role with a strong focus on the accurate and timely processing of employee-related transactions through government platforms such as QIWA, GOSI, MUQEEM and other regulatory systems. The HR Specialist will work closely with managers, external service providers, and government authorities to support government-related processes, visa and government documentation requirements, HR compliance activities, and general HR operations. The successful candidate will have strong experience in general HR services, operations and government portals, with a proactive approach to problem-solving and service delivery. Responsibilities HR Operations & Support Support the HR team in delivering day-to-day HR operations, including onboarding, offboarding, and employee lifecycle administration. Partner with internal stakeholders to ensure smooth onboarding experience for new joiners and compliance with all employment requirements. Support payroll processing, GOSI, benefits administration, and HR operational activities in coordination with relevant teams. Manage employee training and development administration, including coordination of local KSA programs such as COOP, TAMHEER, and related initiatives. Support employee licensing, certifications, and professional membership renewals (e.g., RICS, TAQEEM, REGA). Ensure accurate HR records, documentation, and reporting across all HR systems and government platforms. Provide support for HR projects, system implementations, and continuous improvement initiatives. Assist with translation and preparation of HR and government-related documents in English and Arabic. Perform other HR and operational duties as required to support business needs. Other tasks as required. Government Relations & Compliance Provide advisory services to the business in relation to government relations processes to ensure compliance. Provide problem resolution in relation to government relations processes and challenges. Manage the external visa processing provider to ensure timely and accurate issuing of visas, labor contracts, and employee government documentation. Execute and coordinate government relations processes in KSA, ensuring compliance with applicable labor laws and regulatory requirements. Liaise with government entities, regulatory bodies, and external service providers to support the timely completion of government related processes. Support government audits, inspections, labor cases and regulatory interactions as required. Oversee and process all government-related requirements including, but not limited to Qiwa, GOSI, Iqama issuance and renewals, and other relevant Saudi platforms. Support the business and legal department in obtaining and renewing licenses, registrations, and approvals from government authorities. Stay informed of changes in Saudi labour laws and government regulations, support implementation of required updates. Maintain accurate records of all government documentation, submissions, and correspondence. Support dispute resolution, urgent PRO matters, and escalations with government authorities in a timely manner. Ensure compliance with Saudization requirements and support reporting and tracking obligations. Skills and Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or a related field (CIPD or relevant certification is a plus). Saudi national (preferred). 5 to 7 years of experience in HR operations, and government relations within Saudi Arabia. Solid knowledge of Saudi labour law, Saudization requirements, GOSI, and HR compliance frameworks. Proven hands-on experience with Saudi government platforms including QIWA, IQAMA systems, and other regulatory portals. Practical experience processing employee and company transactions through Saudi government platforms and coordinating with relevant authorities when required. Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive, hands-on approach to operational delivery. Strong communication, coordination, and organizational skills with attention to detail. High integrity, professionalism, and strong understanding of local cultural and regulatory environment. Microsoft Office programs to a proficient level. Fluency in English and Arabic, written and verbal, also other languages is advantageous. Flexible attitude towards travelling.