Calvin James Recruitment

Calvin James was built by our people and those whom we represent. Helping you succeed is at the core of why we want to keep transforming recruitment for the better.

Whether you’re looking for your dream job or you're seeking to recruit the next leader of your business, here at Calvin James, we do the hard work to make sure you get the perfect match.

Why work with us?

It's quite simple. We have a deep knowledge of the market which we deploy through a relationship driven and consultative approach.

Not only are we are specialists in Finance & Accounting, Technology, Marketing, and Human Resources across all industries, we have also built an extensive network to match.

Head of HR & Business Support Recruitment

Mansell Recruitment Group

Senior Recruitment Consultant - Technical Recruitment 

Mansell Recruitment Group specialise in Permanent & Contract Technical Recruitment to clients throughout the UK.

With a constantly-updated database using leading recruitment software, we monitor and adjust to market trends, adapting and developing our own strategies to ensure that we have the necessary resources to meet client needs and objectives.

Established since 1991 Mansell Recruitment has built on its reputation for quality and accuracy within the Recruitment Industry. Our success and achievement is based on a proactive approach, understanding trends and industry sectors, with the ability to respond quickly to client requirements. 

Many HR Departments consider Mansell Recruitment a key part of their recruitment strategy.

Our specialist areas include:

• Manufacturing & Operations
• Engineering
• Plastics & Packaging 
• Process Control & Automation
• ROV, Oil and Gas
• Technology
• IT
• Construction & Rail
• Technical Sales & Marketing

If you need help recruiting or are currently seeking new opportunities then please get in touch with us by using the contact information found under the 'contact info' tab, and I will be in contact as soon as possible.

Recruitment Consultant - Technical Recruitment

I help source highly skilled HR professionals with the most prestigious companies in the Middle East. With 8 years of experience in the recruitment industry, I pride myself on long term relationships. 

HR Professionals
- Are you looking to develop and excel your career in Human Resources?
- Looking for guidance and help on what the best next move is in your career?

Are you hiring for your HR team?
- Are you looking to expand your HR function?
- Finding it hard to source the best talent for your team?
- Want to save time and ensure you are finding the best talent in the market?

If any of the above relates to to you, I can help! 

I am a highly skilled and trained HR consultant who has helped grow HR individuals and teams across the Middle East. 

My Process is simple. 
- I have introduction calls with candidates to get a clear idea of what they are looking for in the next step in their career. 
- We meet face to face to discuss relevant positions that could be suitable. 
- I put you in touch with the best HR teams in the region 
- I manage all the negotiations to ensure its a smooth process

If you are a HR professional who is based in the Middle East or are looking to expand your HR team, please get in touch!

Live HR Roles 🔥 

As we approach the end of 2025, many companies are focused on closing out their remaining vacancies and finalising budgets for the year ahead.

I’m currently hiring for the following roles:

▶️ Senior Talent Manager – AED 35K
▶️ Senior Executive Assistant - AED 35-40k
▶️ Senior HR Manager (Abu Dhabi) - AED 35-40K
▶️ HR Manager (Riyadh) – SAR 20–25K
▶️ PRO – AED 10–15K
▶️ Senior L&D Specialist – AED 15–18K
▶️ Talent Acquisition Lead – AED 15–18K
▶️ HR Executive – AED 15K
▶️ Senior C&B Specialist – AED 10–15K

If you’re interested in any of these opportunities, feel free to send me a message along with your CV.

Please note: due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Piers Holt

I help source the best HR talent in the Middle East.

New Role Live 🔥 

I am partnering with a leading professional services firm in Abu Dhabi that is currently undergoing a significant growth phase, with plans to double in size over the next 2–3 years.

They are now seeking a Senior HR Manager to support this expansion. The role will oversee the full HR function and act as the second in command to the HR Director, playing a key part in shaping the people strategy and driving operational excellence.

If you are interested in exploring this opportunity, please apply below!

Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates (On-site)

Back in the office today after a much needed Eid Al Etihad break. 

We finished up last week with a team fishing trip. Huge thanks to Handcrafted Experiences for organising such a fantastic day. If you're considering a team activity, I couldn’t recommend them more.

It’s always great to step out of the office with the team and spend time together outside the usual routine. 

Looking forward to catching up with everyone today…and now that we’re back, the countdown to the new year has officially begun 👊

Calvin James Recruitment

I’m increasingly speaking with candidates whose companies still hold a very narrow view of what HR truly does.

❌“They just hire and fire.”
 ❌“They organise lunches and send reminders.”
 ❌“They’re the policy police.”
 ❌“They deal with paperwork.”

But those of us who work closely with HR know a very different reality.

HR is quietly carrying the emotional load of an entire organisation.

It’s being the person an employee turns to on the hardest day of their life and helping them navigate leave, support, and next steps.

It’s offering comfort to someone in crisis, even when you know the company doesn’t yet have the proper resources to fully support them.

It’s advocating for meaningful change, only to be told “now isn’t the right time” when investment is needed.

It’s defending and supporting people who may never realise how much you’re doing behind the scenes.

And though HR rarely gets recognition for any of it, They keep going because they genuinely care. 

Because they believe people deserve support.

If you’re job hunting in the UAE right now, this might be exactly what you need.

Calvin Lee-Pickett will hosting an online session this evening designed specifically for professionals trying to break into (or progress within) the UAE market. 

It’s a straight talking, practical hour where he will walk you through what actually works in today’s job market . 

Over the past year, people from more than 80 countries have joined these sessions, proof of how international and competitive the market has become. 

For many, it’s been the turning point that helped them rethink their strategy and finally gain momentum.

If you’d like to attend, just leave a comment below and I’ll send you the link. 

Calvin Lee-Pickett
Calvin James Recruitment
The Calvin James Community

Wrapping up last week with the Calvin James Recruitment Christmas party 🎄

It’s always great to spend time with the team outside the office, enjoy a bit of fun, and have some well-deserved downtime.

Looking back on 2025, it’s been my most successful year in recruitment so far placing 40+ candidates and achieving over 180% of my target.

Here’s to an even bigger and better 2026 👊 

Calvin Lee-Pickett Matt Stuart Clint Eadie Flora Pervez Ariane Joy Dagang

HR Coffee Club - Wednesday 17th December 2025 

I’m excited to be hosting our final HR Coffee Club session of the year before the festive season 🎅🎄

For more than two years, these sessions have been a great space to discuss all things HR across the region, share insights on the HR job market, and build genuine, meaningful connections.

If you’d like to join this session, please like, comment, or send me a direct message.

Please note that spaces are very limited. If you don’t secure a spot this time, don’t worry, I’ll be hosting these regularly throughout 2026.

New Role Live 🔥 

Kickstarting Monday with an exciting new opportunity with a global leader in the retail industry!

I am looking for a Talent Manager to drive the strategic direction of all talent and retail learning initiatives across the Middle East region.

The ideal candidate must have strong experience in:
✔️ Talent management frameworks
✔️ Learning and development methodologies
✔️ Succession planning within the retail industry

If this sounds like you, please apply below!

New Role Live 🔥 

I’m excited to be partnering with a global, market-leading retail organisation that is expanding its entire HR function as part of a major growth phase.

They are looking for candidates with strong expertise in Compensation & Benefits specifically those who can design, review, and maintain job grading structures aligned with international frameworks.

You should also be highly skilled in salary data analysis, internal equity mapping, and market benchmarking.

If this sounds like you, feel free to reach out!

"It always comes back around."

It was one of the first pieces of advice I received when I moved to the UAE and it couldn’t be more true.

In this market, relationships genuinely matter. Keeping the bigger picture in mind, staying consistent, and maintaining connections is just as important as the work itself.

Here’s a familiar cycle for many recruiters:

Week 1:
“Here’s the shortlist you requested excited to hear your thoughts!”

A week later:
 “Just checking in any initial feedback on the candidates?”

Another week passes:
 “Happy to walk you through the shortlist whenever you’re ready!”

A month later:
“Quick question… is the role still open?”

Employer, six months later:
 “Hey! I’m exploring new opportunities. Do you have time for a chat?”

Even with the influx of talent in today’s market, the UAE is still a small and reputation, relationships, and trust travel fast.

Nurturing professional connections isn’t just good practice; it’s essential. And eventually… yes, it all comes back around

The person who is best suited for the role should be the one who gets the job.

Do you agree?

Sometimes in hiring, it feels like the focus drifts away from what matters most... finding the person who can genuinely do the job well.

We all know there are situations where candidates are unintentionally overlooked for reasons unrelated to their capability, and on the other hand, cases where someone is selected simply because they meet a certain criteria on paper.

While diversity and inclusion are incredibly important, they should enhance the hiring process not replace the need for genuine merit.

Of course, especially in the UAE, culture fit plays a huge part in building strong teams and rightly so. But it’s equally important that decisions are rooted in skills, experience, and what a person can truly bring to the role.

Talent, performance, and potential should always lead the conversation.

A hiring approach rooted in fairness, free from bias, and focused on selecting the person who will genuinely excel both in performance and in team dynamics.

Your final chance to join the The Calvin James Community webinar for 2025!

If you're currently exploring opportunities in the UAE, this session could be a real game changer for you.

Calvin Lee-Pickett will be hosting an online webinar tomorrow evening focused on helping professionals enter or advance within the UAE job market.

It’s a direct, no-nonsense hour packed with practical guidance on what truly works in today’s market. 

In the past year alone, attendees from more than 80 countries have taken part, highlighting just how global and competitive the market has become.

For many participants, the session has been the moment that helped them refine their approach and finally start seeing progress.

If you’d like to join, drop a comment below and I’ll share the link with you.

Calvin Lee-Pickett
Calvin James Recruitment
The Calvin James Community
Flora Pervez

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