AYA AHMED ELGARF

As Head of HR, I spearheaded the establishment and expansion of HR function to support rapid growth across multiple regions. Over the past 4 years, I developed key frameworks, led cross-regional teams, and cultivated high-performance, agile culture.

Key Responsibilities & Achievements

• Designed and executed comprehensive HR strategy aligned with regional growth objectives, encompassing talent acquisition, performance management, employee engagement, total rewards, and HR policies. This strategy successfully supported 400% increase in headcount while maintaining efficient onboarding processes.
• Implemented innovative talent acquisition strategies that effectively scaled operations across multiple regions, maintaining competitive talent pipeline and achieving 60% reduction in turnover through targeted retention initiatives.
• Developed and launched regional employer branding strategy, positioning BBI as preferred employer in both local and international markets. This initiative resulted in a significant influx of high-caliber candidates, enhancing BBI's reputation as a top employer.
• Crafted a tailored total rewards and compensation framework that addressed workforce needs and expectations, leading to improved employee satisfaction and engagement across the organization.
• Standardized HR policies and performance appraisal systems across regions, ensuring consistency and alignment with company values while fostering cohesive organizational culture.
• Optimized regional HR budget, effectively managing resources to support a diverse workforce and ensuring operational efficiency aligned with strategic objectives.

In this role, I led HR transformations and integrations for newly acquired companies across various sectors, focusing on building HR functions from ground up and aligning them with the firm's strategic goals.

Key Responsibilities & Achievements:

• Championed HR transformations and integrations for newly acquired companies, developing tailored HR strategies that facilitated seamless transitions and ensured alignment with corporate objectives, resulting in 95% retention of key talent.
• Built and led high-performing HR team, successfully hiring over 14 HR professionals in key roles to strengthen operational capabilities and enhance service delivery across multiple regions.
• Designed and executed end-to-end recruitment processes for both faculty and staff, which improved hiring efficiency and enhanced the quality of candidates, contributing to 20% increase in employee performance ratings.
• Established a comprehensive compensation and benefits program, including grading and salary structures, merit increases, and tailored medical and life insurance options, ensuring competitive offerings that attracted top talent.
• Created effective onboarding programs that facilitated seamless integration for new hires, leading to 50% reduction in early-stage turnover and promoting early engagement within the company culture.
• Developed talent management strategies with focus on leadership development and succession planning, enhancing leadership pipeline and preparing high-potential employees for critical roles.
• Instituted a performance management system across newly acquired companies, enhancing accountability and ensuring consistent performance reviews aligned with business objectives, which improved overall productivity by 25%.
• Managed establishment of a British university franchise within six months, overseeing recruitment of academic staff directly from UK, successfully meeting enrollment targets and operational requirements.
• Collaborated with leadership teams to integrate organizational cultures post-acquisition, aligning new companies with firm's core values and fostering cohesive work environment that supported growth and innovation.

In this role, I was responsible for establishing and scaling HR functions for two newly launched schools: one American and one British. Operating under tight timelines, I developed HR strategies, policies, and systems tailored to each school's curriculum and national standards.

Key Responsibilities & Achievements:

• Established and built HR infrastructure for both the American and British schools from ground up within 8 months, developing tailored policies, performance management systems, and talent acquisition strategies aligned with each education system's specific requirements.
• Directed recruitment process for both schools, ensuring compliance with national standards while addressing the unique cultural and educational needs of each institution, resulting in successful hiring rate of 95% within first year.
• Ensured all HR practices, policies, and employee engagement initiatives adhered to regulatory and cultural standards of both American and British education systems, fostering inclusive and compliant work environment.
• Designed and implemented competitive compensation and benefits programs for both schools, aligning with industry standards and expectations of educators.
• Developed comprehensive training and development programs tailored to meet specific needs of staff across both schools, enhancing professional growth and ensuring high educational standards were maintained.

In this role, I managed HR functions and administrative processes for academic and non-academic staff, focusing on enhancing operational efficiency and facilitating international training initiatives to support research excellence.

Key Responsibilities & Achievements:

• Coordinated training and workshop programs for academic and non-academic staff, including international initiatives, enhancing professional development and ensuring high educational standards.
• Supported recruitment efforts and managed HR administrative functions, including payroll processing and employee relations, streamlining operations and improving service delivery.
• Successfully organized and facilitated international training programs for faculty and researchers, resulting in enhanced skills and knowledge transfer across teams.
• Developed and implemented HR systems for recruitment, and administrative processes, significantly improving departmental efficiency and reducing processing times by 60%.
• Led comprehensive new employee orientation and streamlined onboarding procedures for researchers and staff, ensuring effective integration into the organization and contributing to improved early-stage retention.