PEOPLE PARTNER – DUBAI

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