Our client is a leading international law firm with a well-established presence across the Middle East. Part of a global network spanning offices across Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and the Americas, the firm advises regional and international clients on complex corporate, disputes, and regulatory matters. Its Dubai office, based within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), is known for its collaborative culture and strong focus on operational excellence, offering a professional and supportive environment for business services staff.
The Role
An excellent opportunity has arisen for an Office Operations Assistant to join the Dubai office, providing administrative, operational, and logistical support to the Operations Manager and HR Manager. This is a varied, hands-on role spanning government and PRO liaison, HR administration, and general office operations, ideal for a highly organised professional who enjoys managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as the office's main point of contact with government authorities such as MOHRE, GDRFA, and DIFC, keeping things moving smoothly on all fronts.
- Oversee visas, residence permits, Emirates IDs, and medicals for staff and their dependants from start to finish, working with external PRO providers where useful.
- Keep on top of immigration deadlines, flagging renewals well before they fall due, and make sure new starters and leavers have every formality wrapped up on time.
- Pick up other regulatory registrations and renewals as they come in.
- Support the team through each stage of the employee journey, from new starter paperwork to probation check-ins and exit processes.
- Keep HR systems and personnel files accurate, complete, and properly confidential.
- Draft employment letters, confirmations, and other documentation using the firm's templates.
- Be a go-to person for everyday HR questions, looping in the HR Manager when something needs more attention.
- Put together HR reports and pull data together for ad hoc requests.
- Help keep the office running smoothly, dealing with facilities requests and building management as they arise.
- Track upcoming regulatory and operational deadlines and keep checklists up to date.
- Get supplier and vendor invoices processed promptly and in line with the firm's procedures.
- Coordinate training logistics, from bookings and attendance records to accreditation submissions.
- Get involved in new office initiatives as they roll out, and help keep health and safety reporting and records in order.
- Minimum typing speed of 65 wpm with 98% accuracy.
- Confident user of Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, and Word).
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to build effective, trusting relationships internally and externally.
- Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to think ahead, prioritise workload, and work under pressure to meet deadlines.
- Excellent attention to detail and strong client and business focus.
- Sound judgement and problem-solving ability.
- Prior experience in an operations, HR, or PRO-support role within a professional services environment is preferred.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a highly regarded international law firm in a varied, hands-on operations role. You will work closely with senior stakeholders across HR and Operations, gain broad exposure to UAE regulatory and immigration processes, and become part of a supportive, professional team within a genuinely global organisation.
About Barratt Galvin
Established in 2014, Barratt Galvin is a specialist legal recruitment consultancy focused on the Middle East legal market. Laura Barratt, our founder, has been recruiting across the region since 2007, bringing close to two decades of expertise and long-standing relationships with law firms throughout Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, and Doha.
We partner with leading international and regional law firms to recruit Legal Assistants, Business Development, Marketing, and HR professionals. We are recognised for our strength in Middle East law firm recruitment and regularly advise on private practice opportunities and broader international law firm business services recruitment across the GCC.
With strong Australian market connections, we support both regional career progression and international relocation. Barratt Galvin delivers specialist insight, discretion, and access to exclusive opportunities across the Middle East legal sector.
