Bandar AlDhafer

Organizational Development-focused HR Executive with 21 years of experience leading enterprise transformation, organization design, workforce planning, and change across manufacturing, retail, engineering, logistics, and construction. Trusted advisor to CEOs and Boards on Vision 2030, IPO readiness, and organizational effectiveness, with a proven ability to design scalable operating models, build HR functions from the ground up, and optimize organizational structures and job architecture to improve efficiency, strengthen governance, and deliver sustainable cost savings.

Talent Acquisition Project Director at Zemam AlQua & Sela Group Company (2025-12 – Present)

Ala Khutah ("In the Prophet's Steps")

• Successfully recruited and mobilized 2,700 employees from a talent pool of over 17,000 applicants, achieving workforce deployment within the project's operational timeline.
• Directed end-to-end recruitment and workforce mobilization for the Makkah–Madinah Route Project, delivering qualified talent in collaboration with Sela Company and the General Entertainment Authority (GEA).
• Designed and executed strategic recruitment campaigns, competency-based selection processes, and onboarding programs to ensure timely deployment of project personnel.
• Led the implementation of workforce training programs in partnership with Umm Al-Qura University, under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD), enhancing employee readiness, service quality, and operational excellence.
• Established a continuous performance management framework, including KPIs, coaching, performance reviews, and development plans to improve workforce productivity and engagement throughout the project lifecycle.
• Managed workforce planning, recruitment analytics, stakeholder coordination, and compliance with Saudi labor regulations and Saudization objectives, ensuring successful project execution and sustainable talent performance.

Senior Director — HR & Shared Services at Saudi Cable Company (2024-01 – 2025-11)

• Led the redesign of the HR operating model and established a 25-member HR Shared Services Hub covering Personnel, Government Relations, IT, Security, and SAP, delivering an organizational restructuring that reduced annual operating expenses by SAR 4.8 million.
• Re-engineered payroll and workforce data architecture by integrating SAP SuccessFactors with GOSI and Mudad, reducing payroll processing time by 32% and lowering payroll errors to below 3%.
• Redesigned the Saudization strategy and talent pipeline, increasing the Saudization rate from 35% to 43% within 12 months through Nitaqat optimization and the launch of a Future Leaders graduate development program.
• Implemented a KPI-driven performance management and succession planning framework across 680 employees, achieving 96% on-time performance review completion while strengthening leadership development and career progression.
• Rebuilt HR governance, policies, and operating procedures to ensure full compliance with Saudi Labor Law, successfully passing Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) audits with zero findings.
• Directed the end-to-end transformation of HR operations, standardizing processes, strengthening governance, and improving service delivery through a centralized shared services model.

Human Resources Director at Abdul Latif Jameel (ALJ) (2019-10 – 2023-12)

• Led a group-wide organizational redesign, realigning 3,200 positions, automating job evaluation and organizational design processes, and delivering SAR 9 million in cost avoidance through the Group's largest organizational development transformation.
• Redesigned the employee engagement, total rewards, and career development framework, reducing voluntary turnover from 14% to below 6% and contributing to the organization's recognition as a Great Place to Work® 2020.
• Directed the digital transformation of talent acquisition by implementing Oracle HCM Cloud Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and redesigning the onboarding process, reducing time-to-hire by 28% and increasing new-hire Employee Net Promoter Score (eNPS) to 82.
• Strengthened the Group's Saudization strategy and workforce compliance, achieving Platinum Nitaqat classification while maintaining 100% compliance with GOSI, Qiwa, and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) requirements.

Group HR Senior Manager at Wared Logistics Group (2018-06 – 2019-10)

• Built the HR & Administration function from the ground up across Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, and Bahrain, establishing the operating model, organizational structure, governance framework, HR policies, job architecture, competency framework, KPI system, payroll governance, and Saudization roadmap to support regional business growth.
• Optimized workforce planning, organizational design, and manpower budgeting, delivering SAR 3 million in annual cost savings while improving organizational efficiency, span of control, and resource utilization.
• Designed and launched a structured On-the-Job Training (OJT) and Graduate Development Program, successfully recruiting and developing 43 Saudi graduates into critical operational and technical roles, strengthening the national talent pipeline and supporting long-term Saudization objectives.
• Implemented standardized HR processes and controls across four GCC countries, improving governance, regulatory compliance, and operational consistency while enhancing employee lifecycle management and HR service delivery.

Group HR Senior Manager at Astra Group (2014-08 – 2018-06)

• Established the HR Operations function from the ground up, designing and implementing standardized HR service delivery, employee lifecycle processes, governance controls, HRIS workflows, and service-level standards to support rapid business growth.
• Championed a Lean/Kaizen continuous improvement program across HR operations, reducing employee onboarding lead time from 18 days to 8 days while improving process efficiency and employee experience.
• Achieved 100% compliance with HR policies and procedures across 12 business units, strengthening governance and successfully completing MHRSD compliance audits.
• Culture-change and process-improvement initiative across 12 business units.

HR & Admin Manager at SOLB Steel Co. (2013-03 – 2014-07)

• Established the HR Operations function from the ground up, implementing HR governance, policies, standardized processes, and shared services.
• Led the implementation of HRIS, payroll, employee lifecycle, attendance, and workforce administration, improving automation, compliance, and operational efficiency.
• Designed and optimized end-to-end HR operations, including onboarding, contracts, employee records, benefits, leave, and offboarding.
• Developed executive HR dashboards and KPI reporting to support workforce planning, performance management, and compliance with Saudi Labor Law, GOSI, and MHRSD requirements.
• Built strategic partnerships with Saudi Electricity Company (SEC), recruitment agencies, and universities to strengthen employee development and deliver effective local and international talent acquisition.

Talent Acquisition Supervisor at Banque Saudi Fransi (2010-01 – 2013-02)

• Supervised the recruitment, onboarding, and development of Tellers, Customer Service Officers, and Property Banking/VIP Relationship Officers across the branch network.
• Designed and coordinated training and certification programs to enhance customer service excellence, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
• Partnered with branch management to identify talent, succession opportunities, and performance improvement initiatives.
• Monitored employee performance, coaching plans, and competent development to ensure continuous service quality.
• Supported workforce planning and talent acquisition to maintain high-performing branch operations and exceptional customer experience.

Region Manager at United Consultants Finance | HSBC Investment Group (2005 – 2010)

Full details available on request.

MBA in Human Resources & Finance – Arab Academy for Science & Technology (AASTMT) (2010)

BSc in Psychology – Al-Baha University (1999)