Gary Baker Email & Phone Number

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Leading the Human Resources Team of 10 covering the UAE, Kuwait & BahrainDeveloped the performance management system and conducted various disciplinary investigations Spearheaded the recruitment of over 150 staff over 4 years and developed succession plan with team leaders to encourage retention, achieving over 95% retention in 2023Maintained our No.1 position as Great Place to Work Middle East for 3 consecutive years bearing stiff regional competition Decision maker in restructure of the business assuring in cutting almost 30% of payroll costs In charge of complete payroll function across 3 countries with 100% success rate in on-time payments and zero deduction mistakes Reduced medical costs by AED 500,000 on our head office team and maintained zero increase in staff medical costs for 3 years running.

Dubai

Responsible for 30 client relationships and provision and support of 2500 on-site employees, generating revenue of AED 4.5m AED monthly, across a wide range of industries. Leading an operational team of 4 and handling escalations of HR issues, payroll support, contract negotiations and growth, relationship building and management, administration, reporting and payment tracking.Central point of contact between the client, and internal services, liaising on a daily basis with credit control, finance, HR, recruitment, accommodation services, billing, payroll, legal and the employee welfare team, requiring considerable process understanding, communication skills and tracking.

Dubai Emirate, United Arab Emirates

Responsible for 25 Costa Outlets with AED 30m annual sales. Led a work force of 110 across Dubai, Sharjah and RAK, inclusive of 26 direct reports. Accredited Brand Standards auditor.Operational Management • Area sales of 80k checks per month. Monthly sales 2.5m AED. Sales Growth of 2% in 2018. • Achieved World Class Scores of 95% Overall Satisfaction and Net Promoter Scores for 2018 Vs 91% in 2017 across my business.• Achieved consistent margins on Coffee of 85% and 60% on food.• Handled 11 relationship and budgeted loss-making sites. Reduced expected losses by over 30+% in 2018 (AED 600k) from sales drives and profit protection initiatives.Multi-Site Leadership• Managed a range of outlets within hotels, hospitals, leisure and community retail centres.• Conducted monthly business KPI and profit & loss reviews with each store manager on site. • Opened 6 new stores, closed 4 stores and re-launched 6 stores post refurbishment. Sales Growth• Created merchandising principles across Costa and developed display and waste strategy to maximise sales and reduce waste. • Developed marketing strategy in low performing stores. Successfully grew sales by 35%.Succession Planning & Staffing• Maintained full team and ensured flow through of Supervisory and Store in Charge positions.• Maintained lowest attrition rate across the Costa business in 2017 and 2018.Brand Standards and protection• Achieved 93% External Operational Excellence audit rating and 92% Internal Operational Excellence Audit scores for 2018. • External Health & Safety Audit score 97.3% for 2018 – World Class result.

Dubai

Part of the HR Management Team Shared Services function working across multiple business entities, a subsidiary of the Emirates Group, reporting into the Chief Commercial Officer. Supporting a work force of 1,800 across the UAE, Oman, Africa and Maldives. HR Team of 34. • Responsible for HR Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) update and review, HR Reporting, Accommodation and Office Management, Compliance and Licensing and Government Services. • Led a team of 22 in HR & operational interventions, developing capability through mentoring and coaching. • Developed complex operational project plans for multi-site openings, on-boarding 175+ staff. Transferred entire business to new health care supplier, thru initial tender to final implementation of over 1000 policies within tight deadlines.• Managed the logistics and implementation of immigration and government activities to ensure compliance with all legal requirements. • Managed complex Disciplinary cases through entire process.• Provided development support, alignment and execution of HR Group Policies internationally.

Abu Dhabi

 Managed vacancies, shortlists and conducted competency-based interviews. Controlled recruitment budget process. Ensured efficient staffing levels were always maintained. Attended recruitment trips to Nepal and Myanmar. Analysed attrition rates and trends. Developed retention and succession initiatives to facilitate a reduction in the turnover of staff and associated costs. Prepared annual Human Resources Budget, Budgeted Headcount and benefits. Operated within the budget by strict control and review of departmental expenditure.  Built strong working relationships with the management team. Provided extensive HR support. Ensured timely application, renewal and tracking of all legal documentation and licences. Quantified hotel payroll data and analysed sickness and vacation history. Conducted Performance Management Reviews for my team and reviewed all departmental appraisals, to ensure consistency and validity. Implemented annual salary review amendments following industry benchmarking and reviewed allowances in line with corporate guidelines. Worked closely with the Learning & Development team to identify individual training needs and delivered the HR sections of the hotel orientation programme for new joiners. Reviewed, updated and aligned all internal hotel policies with Corporate Policies. Led disciplinary hearings, internal investigations and employee welfare issues diplomatically, resolving issues adhering to Corporate Guidelines and Labour Law.  Resolved complaints relating to colleague transportation, accommodation and staff catering.

Dubai

 Managing a Human Resources team of 5 and providing service and support to approximately 200 staff throughout the hotel. Preparation of Monthly HR report for Corporate Office, and payroll reconciliations, budget comparisons and exit interview summaries for in house presentation. Assisting with on boarding, inductions, HR orientation and departmental training.  Completing salary scale reviews and implementing changes onto Hiring Update and HRIS system (Oasys). Solving disciplinary issues, conducting full and fair investigations and taking the necessary action in line with company policy in a tactful and diplomatic manner. Maintenance of Rotana Careers Website, ensuring all vacant positions are advertised online. Reviewing suitable applications in full and conducting competency based interviews. Involved in recruitment of over 100 employees to date, including Director Level. Ensuring all new and existing employees have correct and current visas, healthcare, food handler cards, etc. Tracing expiry dates of these to facilitate timely renewal to avoid penalties.  Overseeing entire Performance Management System, KPO’s, Mid Year and Annual Performance Reviews and ratings. Calculation of comprehensive Rotana Bonus Scheme.  Conducting comprehensive accommodation surveys and comparisons to improve the Employee accommodation. Performing self audits on the department to ensure standards are met from the team. Twice Monthly Duty Manager shifts to support the operation in absence of the GM. Review, amend and add internal hotel policies where necessary and cross check against UAE Labour Law to ensure compliance and provide advice, assistance and follow up on company policies, procedures and documentation. Arranging regular Employee activities, events and sports.

United Arab Emirates

Assisting the Director in managing a Human Resources team of 10 and providing service and support to approximately 4colleagues throughout the hotel. Preparation of Monthly HR report for Corporate Office, and payroll reconciliations, budget comparisons and exit interview summaries for in house presentation. Assisting with on boarding, inductions, HR orientation and departmental training.  Completing salary scale reviews and implementing changes onto Hiring Update and HRIS system (Oasys). Solving disciplinary issues, conducting full and fair investigations and taking the necessary action in line with company policy in a tactful and diplomatic manner. Maintenance of Rotana Careers Website, ensuring all vacant positions are advertised online. Reviewing suitable applications in full and conducting competency based interviews. Involved in recruitment of over 100 employees to date, including Director Level. Ensuring all new and existing employees have correct and current visas, healthcare, food handler cards, etc. Tracing expiry dates of these to facilitate timely renewal to avoid penalties.  Overseeing entire Performance Management System, KPO’s, Mid Year and Annual Performance Reviews and ratings. Calculation of comprehensive Rotana Bonus Scheme.  Conducting comprehensive accommodation surveys and comparisons to improve the Employee accommodation and assist in reducing current rents by 30%, saving over 1 Million Dirhams this year alone. Performing self audits on the department to ensure standards are met from the team. Twice Monthly Duty Manager shifts to support the operation in absence of the GM. Review, amend and add internal hotel policies where necessary and cross check against UAE Labour Law to ensure compliance and provide advice, assistance and follow up on company policies, procedures and documentation. Arranging regular Employee activities, events and sports.

Generalist• Created and implemented Human Resources policies and procedures.• Completed space planning appraisals.• Frequently reviewed salary scales and benefits paid to employees benchmarking industry averages and devised achievable and rewarding commission structures for sales staff based on individual and team performance.Recruitment• Identified recruitment need by working closely with line managers.• Ensured accurate job descriptions were in place.• Sourced candidates.• Researched and compiled interview questions and performed competency based interviews.• Devised and completed company and department induction with new employee and developed a company handbook and on-boarding procedures.• Ensured all necessary documents completed by employee and employer.Training • Developed internal training manuals for sales and back office staff.• Identified training gaps and need for any external training courses.• Set clear expectations and performance objectives with employee.• Delivered internal training sessions and outsourced training solutions to professional development providers. Employee Relations• Set performance objectives and reviewed these frequently.• Conducted disciplinary and grievance procedures inline with company policy.• Recorded and monitored sickness and leave absences.Administration• Managed full Payroll Services, bookkeeping and financial reporting.• Organised filing systems and updated computer software and back up solutions.• Kept detailed lists of company assets, contacts for warranties and breakdown repairs. • Implemented strategic changes to systems, procedures and products.• Organised company team building events.

• Worked in a team of 8, with tight individual and team deadlines and strict performance targets. Consistently hit targets, regularly billing in excess of 15-20k (Sterling) per month. • Implemented a regional desk, ensuring constant pipeline of new vacancies, candidates & interviews by maintaining regular contact & relationship building with Human Resources, key decision makers & candidates alike and maintaining accurate databases. • Prepared candidates for interview ensuring suitability for positions with the objective of long term satisfaction of both the client and the candidate. • Assisted in the development of Job Descriptions, in order to accurately capture key result areas & deliverables.• Personally vetted all clients prior to submission to ensure personality and motivation fit.• Worked as broker between client and candidate to ensure a successful outcome of salary & benefit negotiations.• Maintained relationships with senior and key placements to ensure repeat business