HR Workforce Specialist

Position - HR Workforce Specialist

Duration - July till 1st March 2027

Location - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly analytical and commercially focused Senior HR Workforce Planning Specialist to support large-scale international sporting events and tournaments. The role is responsible for developing scalable workforce plans, optimising workforce structures, managing stakeholder expectations, and ensuring cost-effective staffing solutions aligned with operational delivery requirements.

The ideal candidate will have strong experience in workforce forecasting, budgeting, workforce analytics, and large-scale event staffing, with the ability to balance operational readiness with commercial efficiency in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

This role requires a strong event workforce mindset, where temporary workforce deployment, agility, and cost optimisation are critical to success.

 Key Responsibilities

Workforce Planning & Forecasting

• Translate business and operational requirements into scalable workforce plans aligned with event timelines, milestones, and venue readiness.


• Develop workforce forecasts based on event size, attendance expectations, functional requirements, and operational complexity.


• Build structured manpower plans covering all operational areas including venue operations, hospitality, security coordination, accreditation, logistics, and guest services.


• Continuously adjust workforce plans based on changing operational needs and real-time event dynamics.

 Stakeholder Management

• Partner closely with functional heads to understand workforce requirements and challenge inputs where necessary to ensure commercial and operational alignment.


• Provide data-driven workforce recommendations that balance service quality, cost efficiency, and operational feasibility.


• Influence senior stakeholders on workforce decisions through structured analysis and evidence-based insights.


• Manage competing workforce demands across multiple departments and venues.

 Workforce Analytics & Reporting

• Develop and maintain workforce dashboards tracking hiring progress, headcount, deployment readiness, and workforce utilisation.


• Utilise advanced Excel skills (XLOOKUP, VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, formulas, dashboards) to analyse workforce data and support decision-making.


• Monitor workforce KPIs including hiring velocity, vacancy rates, deployment readiness, and cost per resource.


• Provide regular reporting and insights to leadership teams on workforce status and risks.

 Budget & Commercial Management

• Understand and manage workforce budgets in alignment with project and event financial constraints.


• Track workforce-related costs including salaries, accommodation, transportation, air tickets, per diems, allowances, medical insurance, and statutory contributions (e.g., GOSI).


• Identify opportunities to optimise workforce costs without compromising operational effectiveness.


• Support financial planning and workforce cost forecasting for tournaments and large-scale events.

 Workforce Optimisation & Structure Design

• Assess workforce structures and recommend optimal staffing models based on operational requirements.


• Ensure the right mix of Senior Managers, Managers, Specialists, Supervisors, and Coordinators is deployed based on need rather than hierarchy.


• Drive efficient workforce allocation across venues and functional areas.


• Support workforce mobilisation strategies to maximise utilisation and minimise idle capacity.

 Cost Optimisation Strategy

• Identify and implement workforce cost-saving initiatives through:


• Optimised workforce grading structures


• Local hiring strategies


• Efficient shift and resource allocation


• Reduction of unnecessary agency dependency


• Continuously evaluate workforce models to improve cost efficiency and operational value.


• Provide recommendations to improve return on workforce investment.

 Operational Decision Making

• Balance operational readiness, workforce quality, service delivery, and budget constraints when developing workforce plans.


• Support real-time decision-making during live event operations.


• Proactively identify workforce risks and implement mitigation strategies.

 Event Workforce Operations

• Support workforce mobilisation and deployment for large-scale sporting events and tournaments.


• Ensure workforce readiness across multiple venues and functional areas.


• Manage workforce adjustments during live operations, including last-minute changes and contingency staffing.


• Understand the unique nature of event-based workforce planning versus traditional corporate HR environments.

 Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Administration, or related field.


• 5-8 years of experience in HR workforce planning, resource management, or HR operations.


• Strong experience in sports events, mega events, exhibitions, or large-scale project environments.


• Proven exposure to workforce budgeting and cost optimisation initiatives.