The posting
Job Description
The Opportunity
Lead and deliver comprehensive HR generalist support across Etihad Airways’ operations in China, acting as a trusted partner to local business leaders while ensuring alignment with the organization’s global HR strategy, policies, and procedures.
Based in Shanghai, the role will have primary responsibility for HR activities across China, with the scope expected to expand to include additional markets within the wider region.
Operating with a high degree of independence, the Manager HR – China will provide practical, commercially focused HR guidance across the employee lifecycle, balancing local employment legislation, cultural considerations, and operational requirements with the standards and expectations of an international organization headquartered in Abu Dhabi.
The role requires an experienced HR professional capable of building strong relationships with local management, influencing senior stakeholders, managing complex employee matters, and contributing to the continued development of Etihad’s regional operations.
What You’ll Be Doing
HR Business Partnering & Stakeholder Management
- Act as the primary HR point of contact for business leaders, managers, and employees across China and assigned regional markets.
- Build trusted relationships with local leadership teams across commercial, airport, and operational functions, providing proactive advice on people-related matters.
- Translate global HR strategies, policies, and initiatives into practical solutions appropriate for local business requirements.
- Provide guidance and coaching to managers on people management, organizational effectiveness, workforce planning, and employee engagement.
- Partner with regional HR leadership and corporate HR teams in Abu Dhabi to ensure alignment between local business priorities and global people objectives.
HR Operations & Employee Lifecycle
- Oversee the delivery of generalist HR activities across the employee lifecycle, including recruitment support, onboarding, performance management, employee development, employee relations, and offboarding.
- Ensure consistent implementation of global HR policies, procedures, and standards, adapting their application where necessary to comply with local legislative requirements.
- Partner with Recruitment, Payroll, HR Operations, Legal, and other specialist functions to ensure effective and timely delivery of HR services.
- Maintain accurate employee records and HR documentation, ensuring compliance with applicable data protection, confidentiality, and regulatory requirements.
- Identify opportunities to improve HR processes, enhance service delivery, and create a positive employee experience.
Employee Relations & Compliance
- Provide expert guidance on employee relations matters, including performance concerns, disciplinary procedures, grievances, workplace disputes, and employee exits.
- Ensure HR practices comply with applicable Chinese labor legislation and employment regulations, including relevant provincial and municipal requirements.
- Support the management of employee relations and, where applicable, industrial relations matters, engaging with external advisors or relevant authorities when required.
- Identify and proactively manage employment-related risks, escalating complex or sensitive matters to regional HR leadership and relevant corporate functions.
- Balance local legal and cultural requirements with Etihad’s global policies and governance framework.
Performance Management & Organizational Effectiveness
- Lead the local implementation of performance management cycles, talent reviews, employee engagement initiatives, and other global HR programs.
- Support business leaders in identifying workforce capability requirements, development opportunities, and organizational improvements.
- Provide guidance on organizational changes, workforce planning, and people-related business decisions.
- Analyze HR information, workforce trends, and key people metrics to identify risks, opportunities, and areas requiring management attention.
- Prepare relevant HR reports and management updates to support informed decision-making.
Regional HR Support & Collaboration
- Extend HR generalist support to additional countries and markets within the assigned region as business requirements evolve.
- Develop an understanding of employment practices, regulatory considerations, and cultural differences across assigned regional markets.
- Work collaboratively with local business leaders, regional stakeholders, and corporate HR teams to deliver consistent and effective HR support.
- Support regional HR projects, business expansion activities, and organizational initiatives as Etihad continues to develop its international network.
- Travel periodically within China and to other assigned regional locations as required.
Qualifications
What We’re Looking For
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Law, or a related discipline preferred.
- Minimum of 7 years of progressive HR experience, with substantial exposure to broad HR generalist responsibilities.
- Demonstrated experience working within an international organization headquartered outside mainland China is essential, including regular engagement with overseas leadership, regional teams, or global corporate functions.
- Strong practical knowledge of Chinese labor legislation, employment practices, and regulatory requirements.
- Proven experience advising and influencing business leaders and managing employee relations matters independently.
- Experience supporting multiple business locations, countries, or regional markets would be highly advantageous.
- Previous experience within the airline or aviation industry is preferred but not essential. Candidates from other international, operationally focused organizations are encouraged to apply.
- Professional HR certification, such as CIPD, SHRM, or equivalent, would be advantageous.
- Strong HR generalist capability, with the confidence to independently manage a broad range of people-related matters.
- Excellent stakeholder management, influencing, and relationship-building skills across different organizational levels and cultures.
- Ability to operate effectively within a global, matrixed organization, balancing local business needs with corporate policies and expectations.
- Sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism when handling confidential, complex, or sensitive employee matters.
- Commercial awareness and a pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach to HR business partnering.
- Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities across multiple locations and stakeholders.
- Adaptability and the willingness to take on broader regional responsibilities as the business evolves.
- Confidence using HR systems, workforce data, and reporting tools to support effective HR decision-making.
- Excellent written and spoken Mandarin Chinese and English are essential. Additional language capabilities would be advantageous.
Additional Information
Recruitment Process
The recruitment process for this position will involve the following steps:
- Applications will be reviewed by a human-member of our Recruitment Team
- Shortlisted applicants will be invited to completed an AI-lead video interview via our third-party platform. This interview will allow you to record your responses to a range of questions related to the position and will allow you to demonstrate your knowledge and experience in a way that just your CV alone would not be able to. It also ensures fairness for you and all candidates, as all of our shortlisted candidates are asked the same questions and assessed on their responses. Whilst AI is utilized as part of the process, all responses will be reviewed by a human member of our recruitment team
- After a review of completed AI interviews, shortlisted candidates will be invited to an initial technical interview with the hiring manager.
- Finalists will be invited to a follow-up interview with additional members of the hiring team.
- All candidates will be notified as to the status of their application as soon as is possible.
Etihad Airways is more than the UAE’s national airline - we’re shaping the future of global aviation. From our hub in Abu Dhabi, we connect people across continents and cultures, while driving our “Journey 2030” ambition to double our fleet, expand our network and grow our people for a new era of excellence. Join us and become part of a vision where the world is your workplace and extraordinary experiences take flight.
To learn more visit www.etihad.com
Recruitment Fraud Alert
Beware of fraudulent job offers from individuals or organizations claiming to represent the Etihad group. We will never ask for personal information, bank details, or payment during the recruitment process. Interviews are conducted face-to-face or via video/telephone before any formal offer. If you are asked for money, please treat it as fraudulent.
