Job description

Recruitment & Human Resources Manager

Multi-Country | Beirut-based | USD Compensation

Beirut with regional responsibilities

We particularly welcome applications from Lebanese professionals currently working abroad who are planning to return to Lebanon and would like a role with regional scope, direct access to the principals and the opportunity to build a team from the beginning.

Location: Beirut, Lebanon

Employment: Full-time

Reporting to: Managing Principal initially; subsequently to the Commercial & Operations Director

Target start: October 2026, subject to project mobilisation and an agreed joining date that takes account of notice and relocation requirements

About the opportunity

We are building a professional team for a regional group trading physical commodities globally, with offices initially planned in three regional locations.

The position will be based in Beirut. You will work directly with the Managing Principal to recruit the initial team and establish practical HR processes.

This is a role for someone who enjoys personally sourcing candidates, assessing their suitability, completing appointments and supporting employees after they join. You will be the sole internal HR professional during startup, with access to external recruitment, payroll and legal advisers where needed.

Your initial priority

Lead recruitment for approximately eight key startup positions across the three regional offices, including four senior roles requiring international searches. These appointments cover finance, commercial management, shipping, country operations, logistics and stock control.

Your international experience and professional network will be particularly valuable in identifying candidates and managing recruitment across countries.

Key responsibilities

·   Develop and execute the recruitment plan, including hiring priorities, sourcing channels, timelines and budgets.

·   Personally identify and approach candidates through professional networks, direct search, job platforms and selected recruitment firms.

·   Prepare job descriptions, conduct initial interviews and coordinate structured assessments with hiring managers.

·   Manage candidate communication, references, offer preparation and negotiations within approved compensation limits.

·   Benchmark compensation and benefits across the relevant markets and recommend hiring packages within approved budgets.

·   Maintain a recruitment tracker covering candidate progress, notice periods, joining dates and outstanding requirements; report weekly on hiring progress, joining risks and recruitment costs.

·   Coordinate employment contracts, work permissions, relocation and onboarding with local advisers and service providers.

·   Establish confidential personnel files, onboarding checklists, leave records and practical HR policies.

·   Coordinate payroll inputs and benefits administration with Finance and external providers.

·   Support employee relations, including grievances and disciplinary matters, with management and local advisers; coordinate performance reviews, training and leave planning.

·   Coordinate employee exits and handovers, including final payroll inputs, record updates and access removal with Finance and IT support.

·   Provide proportionate administration for the Beirut office.

What success will look like

Your first-month targets are to establish the recruitment plan, assessment process and candidate pipeline, and secure an accepted offer for at least one priority senior position. Confirm the joining date against the candidate's notice period, relocation and any required work permissions.

During the first three months, you will progress agreed hires through appointment and onboarding, coordinate interim coverage where necessary, and establish reliable personnel records and payroll processes.

What the role offers

·   A Beirut base with responsibilities spanning three countries initially.

·   The opportunity to apply international experience and maintain regional professional connections.

·   Direct involvement with the principals and senior management.

·   Ownership of recruitment and HR within a deliberately small professional team.

·   The opportunity to shape the HR function from its beginning.

Skills

Who we are looking for

·   At least eight years of relevant recruitment and HR experience.

·   Demonstrated success personally recruiting senior or specialist professionals, including regional or international appointments.

·   Experience working in the Gulf or another international market, with an understanding of professional recruitment standards and candidate expectations.

·   Ability to manage recruitment from initial search through offer acceptance and joining.

·   Practical HR administration experience and the ability to establish processes suitable for a small business.

·   Ability to work effectively with local employment and payroll advisers.

·   Fluent Arabic and English, with strong written communication.

·   Sound judgement, discretion, strong organisation and confidence working directly with senior management.

·   Proficiency with spreadsheets, recruitment tracking tools and standard office applications.

·   A clear intention and realistic timetable to be based in Beirut.

Experience in commodity trading, shipping, logistics, industrial businesses or establishing a new operation would be an advantage. A relevant degree or professional HR qualification is desirable.