A successful HR leader possesses strong interpersonal skills, allowing him to build rapport and trust with employees at all levels of the organization. He has a keen understanding of business objectives and can align HR strategies and initiatives accordingly, contributing to the overall success of the company. Furthermore, he is adept at fostering a positive and inclusive work culture, promoting employee engagement and well-being.

Mohamad Kheir, Group HR Director of Power International Holding, is an accomplished leader with a proven track record of success in establishing a strong culture and implementing effective training and development programs for employees. He has a demonstrated ability to develop, lead, and execute strategic HR initiatives that enhance operational efficiency and drive the achievement of business goals. With a career spanning over a decade, Mohamad has consistently played a pivotal role in fostering a productive and engaged workforce within the organization.

Mohamad holds a Master’s degree in Management Information Systems and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Sciences in Information Systems from University of Balamand in Lebanon. His educational background has equipped him with a strong foundation in technology and its application in various domains.

Mastering the HR Metaverse

Throughout his career, Mr. Kheir has acquired extensive expertise and achieved remarkable success in various HR functions, encompassing talent acquisition/retention, benefits administration, compensation management, training and development, risk management, and employee relations. He has demonstrated exceptional proficiency in leading and leveraging cutting-edge HRIS (Human Resources Information Systems), HR AI (Artificial Intelligence), Metaverse in HR learning, Robotics in HR, RPAs (Robotic Process Automations) in Government affairs, Chatbot AI, succession planning, and career development.

Additionally, he has showcased his aptitude for automation and digitization, spearheading green initiatives and promoting paperless transactions in employee relations. Mr. Kheir possesses a keen sense for workforce planning and implementation, adeptly overseeing staff monitoring and talent development strategies.

In his current position as the Regional Group HR Director of Power International Holding, Mohamad demonstrates genuine leadership qualities as an intuitive leader. With his deep expertise in coaching and team development, he plays a vital role in supporting continuous improvement and implementing strategies that enhance the organization’s business outcomes. Achieving this level of success was not without its challenges, but Mohamad’s commitment to personal growth is evident through the meticulous crafting of his individual development plan and his unwavering determination to achieve his objectives, even in the face of adversity.

Mr. Kheir shares his thoughts on Transformation in Human Resources for the last couple of decades,

“The Human Resources function has experienced a dramatic transformation over the past century. Along the way, roles and responsibilities have shifted as internal business models, and external market conditions have changed. The evolution of the perception of HR, however, has not kept pace. HR is beginning to break from its traditional, process-oriented role into a new, strategic function that solves real business problems.”

Power International Holding: Building a Stronger Future

Power International Holding (PIH) is a diversified business conglomerate, grouped into 5 main sectors: General Contracting, Industries & Services, Agriculture & Food Industries, Real Estate and Lifestyle (Hospitality, Entertainment & Catering).

PIH is dedicated to ensuring the sustainability and success of every entity under its umbrella. The organization provides these entities with essential tools, resources, and centralized functional support, fostering their development and facilitating growth. By emphasizing specialization, each business within PIH is empowered to pursue the organization’s objectives and goals with greater focus and efficacy.

PIH is a firm that places utmost importance on its commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), considering it as a crucial element for its overall success as a responsible corporation. The company acknowledges the interconnected nature of its economic, socio-cultural, and environmental practices, and recognizes that prioritizing sustainable development and social well-being is in its best long-term interest.

With a strong sense of responsibility, PIH endeavors to uphold the interests of all its stakeholders, including employees, customers, suppliers, industry partners, and the broader community. The company strives to generate value for its stakeholders through its operations and investments, fostering economic growth, social advancement, and environmental sustainability.

With a rich history of successfully completing complex projects across diverse sectors worldwide, PIH has amassed a wealth of experience, establishing itself as a knowledgeable expert in each of its fields. At its core, the organization is driven by a powerful vision: to create a brighter future for Qatar and the world. Its mission is to achieve this vision by maximizing stakeholder value through efficient management and support of a diversified portfolio of businesses.

Mr Kheir stated,

“Our mission is to maximize stakeholder value by efficiently managing and supporting a diversified portfolio of businesses.”

He further explains, “To achieve this mission, we are committed to continuously refining our business strategies and operations, leveraging our expertise and resources to drive growth and profitability across our portfolio. We strive to foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence within our organization, empowering our teams to develop and implement creative solutions that address the needs of our stakeholders and the wider community.”

Impacting HR Across Asia and Europe

As a regional Group HR Director, Mr. Kheir directs all the aspects of all aspects of regional employee relations, government affairs, payroll, talent management, compensation and benefits, talent development, and HRIS. In this role, he oversees every facet of the human resources function, providing leadership and promoting teamwork and collaboration to achieve high-performance standards and foster staff pride in their performance and contributions.

Mr. Kheir consistently delivers exceptional HR services and accurate information to leaders, managers, staff, and clients, ensuring cost-effectiveness across the Asia and Europe region.

Mohamad effectively facilitates two-way communication between the division and group HR departments, ensuring a seamless flow of information regarding strategy, changes, developments, and feedback.

He acts as a trusted advisor to the executive management team, providing valuable insights and guidance on critical organizational and management strategies. Mohamad plays a pivotal role in cultivating a culture of transparency, diversity, equity, inclusion, and personal growth through various HR initiatives.  He also takes charge of developing a comprehensive competencies framework and ensures the successful implementation of SAP SuccessFactors, a human capital management software solution.

Embracing Technology

Technology plays a significant role in driving business performance and boosting productivity, a fact that Mohamad understands well. He recognizes its importance in day-to-day business operations and achieving growth and success when utilized effectively. Mohamad leverages various technological solutions in the field of human resources to improve business performance, such as cloud-based solutions like SAP Success Factors, e-learning platforms, AI tools, and integrated career paths.

One of Mohamad’s notable achievements is successfully integrating the competencies framework with every job profile, taking into consideration the levels of proficiency required for each role. This integration allows for a streamlined approach to talent management and ensures that employees possess the necessary skills and qualifications for their respective positions.

Despite the numerous benefits that technological advancements bring, Mohamad acknowledges that embracing change and driving innovation can face barriers within organizations. Resistance to change and the challenges associated with implementing new technologies can impede progress. However, Mohamad has developed a strategy rooted in continuous learning, effective communication, and fostering a culture of collaboration. By adopting this approach, he is well-prepared to navigate these challenges and drive positive change within the organization.

Creating Productive Workplace Environment

As a leader, Mohamad’s approach is defined by empathy and vulnerability, which he believes are crucial in building trust and fostering a sense of belonging in the workplace. He understands that embracing these qualities not only promotes a positive work environment but also drives motivation and productivity among team members.

He embraces disagreements and criticism, viewing them as opportunities to learn, adapt, and grow. He encourages open dialogue and constructive feedback, using such moments as catalysts for personal and professional development. By promoting this approach, he cultivates a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the organization.

Mohamad places a strong emphasis on customer satisfaction and understands the value of maintaining a two-way communication channel with clients. He actively seeks to understand their needs and incorporates their feedback into the company’s strategy, demonstrating his commitment to delivering exceptional customer service.

As a result, his strategic use of technology, emphasis on customer satisfaction, and leadership approach rooted in empathy and vulnerability contribute to his ability to drive business performance and create a positive and productive workplace environment.

Future Goals

Mohamad Kheir is deeply committed to innovation, and has set ambitious yet attainable goals for the next three to five years. His primary focus lies in pushing the boundaries of technology within HR management, aiming to leverage advanced technologies such as AI and robotics to optimize efficiency, drive productivity, and foster an inclusive and equitable workplace environment.

Under Mohamad’s leadership, the organization’s digital transformation journey is expected to be an ongoing process. It will commence with the automation of day-to-day operations, including tasks like onboarding and offboarding processes, as well as the implementation of employee and manager self-service portals. Furthermore, Mohamad envisions the integration of AI and chatbots to revolutionize the HR service delivery model, replacing tier 0 and tier 1 services. However, he believes that maintaining a strong focus on employee-centricity and humanizing the process maps should remain a core principle throughout this transformation.

He recognizes the significance of digitizing succession planning. He intends to seamlessly incorporate predefined frameworks into the organization’s succession planning process, which involves identifying critical roles across the company, evaluating potential successors, assessing competency gaps, developing and grooming identified successors, and continuously monitoring and reviewing their progress.

With his forward-thinking mindset and dedication to leveraging technology, Mohamad aims to reshape HR management and drive the organization towards a more advanced and efficient future.

Piece of Advice for Aspiring Young People

As a distinguished leader, Mohamad offers valuable advice to aspiring business professionals. He underscores the importance of continuous learning, hard work, and a profound sense of empathy. He encourages embracing challenges as opportunities for growth and pursuing innovation relentlessly. At the heart of his advice is the belief that leadership should be exercised with compassion and inclusivity, a principle that has been instrumental in his success.

He says, “Starting a business in the HR management industry can be challenging, but with the right strategy and approach, it can also be incredibly rewarding.”

Mohamad Kheir’s journey is an inspiring blueprint for aspiring leaders, illuminating the immense potential at the intersection of technology, empathy, and equitable leadership. As a top Iconic Leader in DEIB 2023, his innovative contributions to HR management continue to set new benchmarks and inspire countless others in the realm of business leadership.