Emaar Properties is committed to nurturing its UAE National talent. The organization is amongst the most attractive employers in the region providing training, mentorship and fast track career paths for its people to grow.
Two young nationals, both architects, describe their experiences with Emaar as nothing but positive. Nabil Al-Kendi and Mona Qassimi, both development managers for Emaar's global arm, Emaar International, started their careers with the organization.
Mona joined Emaar's Emirates Hills sales team in October, 1999 and spent two years on the sales team gaining valuable experience that she considers essential to moving upward in the organization. She would later apply her knowledge of customer needs through sales to her new position. “When I started working with Emaar, I really felt part of a family and as families do, our family grew and grew!” said Mona. “Emaar has experienced amazing growth since it first started and I am proud to be part of the early growth years and look forward to the growth that is yet to come.”
As Emaar has grown so too has Mona’s experience. When she joined the development team, she worked on everything from designs and strategy to master planning and budgets. "As a trained architect, this was my dream," she said. "I especially loved the fact that I could practice in a place like Dubai where the world is truly your oyster. Here, almost anything is architecturally possible." Currently working on the Arabian Ranches development as well as the Mohammed bin Rashid Housing Program, Mona recently started working on Emaar’s flagship Saudi development - King Abdullah Economic City.
Mona colleague, Nabil Al-Kendi, joined Emaar's development team in January, 2004 after completing studies in architectural engineering at universities in Boston and West Virginia. Nabil believed that Emaar would allow him to fulfil his dream of helping to turn Dubai into a modern city. "I wanted to be part of the Dubai success story," said Nabil. "Emaar was the first developer of its kind in the emirate and is definitely the most dynamic."
Emaar promotes its people according to their skills and qualifications. There is opportunity to grow throughout the organization in different departments including sales, marketing, corporate services, property management, development and retail. Management of the company is not hierarchical, and top players involved in all aspects of the business. "At Emaar, employees truly feel that they are on equal footing with one another. I am privileged to find myself in occasional meetings with the Chairman Mohamed Ali Alabbar himself," said Nabil.
Nabil now works as a development manager for Emaar's international team in Syria, Egypt and Jordan. "Only one year after joining Emaar, I was helping to negotiate deals with key players across the Middle East. At Emaar hard work is definitely rewarded," he added.
Both Mona and Nabil agree that Emaar is one of the best companies to work for in the region. They are optimistic about the future and great potential for newcomers. "At Emaar, anything is possible and there will be opportunities here that will not be available anywhere else," said Nabil. "Our Chairman plans to make Emaar a truly global enterprise. He is sharp, brilliant and a privilege to work with," added Mona.
Emaar's recently launched "Afaq" programme, meaning horizon in English, serves to support the professional growth of UAE nationals like Mona and Nabil through training and mentorship. "Emaar is committed to developing local talent by building on the country's rich human resources," said Dr. Nader Mohamed, Emaar Executive Director, International Operations. "The success of Emaar goes hand in hand with that of its workforce."
Presently, 15 per cent of Emaar's workforce comprise of UAE Nationals. This number is expected to grow rapidly as the company expands and develops across the region.
