PEOPLE PARTNER – DUBAI (DIFC)

Ready to bring the Big Mamma spirit to the Middle East with heart, hustle, and homemade pasta?

Big Mamma is a Squadra of more than 2,300 passionate individuals behind 30 iconic Italian restaurants and food markets across Europe and the Middle East (UK, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Ireland, Monaco – and now Dubai!). With over 10,000 guests a day, we deliver joyful, authentic Italian experiences – 100% homemade, 100% fresh, with products imported directly from Italy.

We’re opening our very first restaurant in Dubai, based in the iconic DIFC, and we’re looking for a People Partner – Dubai to support our teams and leadership from day one. This is a pivotal role combining talent acquisition, HR operations, employee engagement, and leadership support in a fast-paced, multicultural environment.
You will work closely with the COO and local management team, acting as a trusted advisor while building and growing our Dubai Squadra.

🍝 Your Mission

Act as the go-to People Partner for all team members in Dubai, supporting the full employee lifecycle
Lead recruitment: source, attract, and hire top talent in line with Big Mamma’s culture and standards
Manage onboarding and ensure smooth integration of new hires into the Big Mamma way of working
Ensure compliance with UAE labour law and DIFC regulations, including contracts, visas, and work permits, in partnership with external providers
Act as the HR link with Finance on payroll, ensuring all employee data (new hires, leavers, changes) is accurate and timely
Partner with managers on employee relations, performance management, and development conversations
Drive People initiatives that foster team culture, engagement, and retention
Be a visible presence in the restaurant, building relationships and supporting the team on the ground

🌟 Your Profile

4–6 years’ experience in HR, ideally in hospitality, retail, or another fast-paced, people-led industry
Proven recruitment / talent acquisition experience – ability to source, attract, and hire in competitive markets
Solid knowledge of UAE labour law, DIFC practices, visas, and work permits
Strong HR operations experience: contracts, visas, employee lifecycle management, compliance, and HR systems
Knowledge of Blizimbly would be a plus
Fluent in English (Italian is a bonus!)
Experience partnering with senior management and providing clear HR guidance
Strong communication and influencing skills across multicultural teams
Organised, adaptable, and comfortable working in a start-up opening environment
Proactive and solution-oriented, with a practical, can-do attitude

🎁 What We Offer

A key role in the launch of Big Mamma’s first Middle Eastern restaurant
Exposure to senior leadership & opportunity to help shape our Dubai People function
Competitive package & benefits in line with market standards
A people-first culture where passion, growth, and teamwork thrive

🍕 Join Our Squadra

If you’re ready to take on a high-impact role, shaping the People function in a brand-new market and bringing Big Mamma’s culture to life in Dubai, we’d love to hear from you!

🌈 Big Mamma is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.🌈 Big Mamma is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employ