Rakan Alrafaa, CIPD5
Riyadh,Saudi Arabia
Summary
Strategic and results-driven Talent Acquisition leader with a proven track record of identifying and securing top talent. Adept at building and optimizing recruitment strategies, fostering strong talent pipelines, and driving hiring excellence. Skilled in leveraging diverse sourcing channels and networking platforms to attract high-caliber candidates. Thrives in leadership roles, guiding hiring teams, streamlining processes, and ensuring alignment with business goals. Self-motivated, adaptable, and committed to shaping high-performing recruitment functions.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Senior advisor - Talent Acquisition
Aecom
Riyadh
2026.04 - Current
- Lead Talent Acquisition Advisor and HR Partner for three major giga-projects in Saudi Arabia: Rua Al Haram Al Makki, King Fahd Stadium, and Diriyah Gate, supporting end-to-end recruitment and workforce planning activities.
- Developed and implemented recruitment strategies from the ground up for each project, aligning hiring approaches with project timelines, technical requirements, mobilization needs, and business objectives.
- Partnered closely with project leadership, hiring managers, and HR stakeholders to manage high-volume and specialized recruitment across engineering, infrastructure, PMC, PMO, commercial, and corporate functions.
- Prepared and presented weekly and monthly recruitment reports, providing market insights, pipeline analysis, hiring forecasts, and recruitment performance updates to business leaders and internal management.
- Enhanced internal Talent Acquisition processes by identifying operational gaps, streamlining workflows, and improving coordination between recruitment, HR, mobilization, and business teams.
- Led internal transformation initiatives focused on improving Talent Acquisition and mobilization processes, with a strong emphasis on candidate experience, process efficiency, and employer presentation.
- Utilized recruitment systems and reporting tools such as SmartRecruiters and Workday to manage recruitment operations, reporting, and candidate tracking efficiently.
- Contributed to continuous improvement initiatives aimed at strengthening employer branding, recruitment delivery standards, and overall Talent Acquisition operational excellence within AECOM.
Senior Talent Acquisition Partner
KPMG ME
Riyadh
2024.06 - 2026.04
- Develop and execute comprehensive talent acquisition strategies aligned with organizational objectives.
- Collaborate with Business Partners to implement a robust talent acquisition strategy, supporting key strategic goals.
- Led the transition of the technology entity from KPMG PS to KPMG BS.
- Conduct structured interviews to evaluate candidate skills, experience, and cultural fit.
- Leverage SAP systems and applicant tracking systems (ATS) to optimize recruitment processes, track candidate data, and enhance efficiency.
- Played a key role in the 2024/2025 Hamaat Graduate Development Program, successfully hiring 390 fresh graduates within three months for each year.
- Analyze recruitment metrics and data for technical positions, providing insights to enhance processes and support data-driven decision-making.
- Promote inclusion and diversity best practices to eliminate hiring biases and build a diverse talent pipeline.
- Expand sourcing strategies through specialized job boards, networking events, online forums, conferences, and social networks.
- Ensure compliance with fair hiring practices and relevant labor regulations.
Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist
Maharah Human Resources
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
2022.09 - 2024.05
- Manage full-cycle recruitment for both technical and non-technical roles.
- Review CVs and credentials to assess skills, experience, and qualifications in alignment with position requirements.
- Partner with hiring managers across various business functions to understand and prioritize job openings.
- Conduct preliminary phone screenings to evaluate candidates' interest, location preferences, salary expectations, and career aspirations.
- Oversee interview processes, manage feedback, and support hiring managers in making selection decisions.
- Build and maintain credibility and expertise by developing a deep understanding of diverse job roles across the organization.
- Drive process and procedure automation in talent acquisition to align with department needs and market evolution.
- Collaborate closely with department leadership to update and define KPIs, ensuring alignment with the department’s vision and strategic goals.
HR Business Partner Specialist
Patchi
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
2021.02 - 2022.09
- Played a key role in overseeing the HR aspects of the Patch Cafe launch, the company's largest project in late 2020, successfully hiring over 600 employees within 60 days.
- Established and maintained strong relationships with recruitment agencies inside and outside Saudi Arabia, identifying the best talent sources in coordination with department managers.
- Conducted interviews, negotiated offers, and provided hiring recommendations to managers.
- Prepared job offers and contracts, securing necessary approvals before submission to new hires.
- Mentored new employees during their probationary period, ensuring a smooth transition and optimal performance.
- Handled GOSI, Muqeem, and Ministry of Labor compliance processes.
- Reviewed and continuously enhanced internal HR processes for efficiency.
- Managed recurring HR operations, including employee requests, warnings, terminations, and general inquiries.
HR Business Partner Officer
Patchi
Riyadh
2019.10 - 2021.02
- Posting positions through recruitment channels.
- Interview potential new recruits, negotiate with candidates and provide recommendations to the hiring managers
- Prepare employee job offers and contracts and send to Admin Director in order to obtain his approval then submit to new hires.
- Follow up with new employees in their probationary period and act as a mentor so they can get the best for this period.
- Handling everything related to GOSI , Muqeem and Ministry for labour
- Managed recurring HR processes such as requests , warnings , terminations and General questions.
HR Officer
Muhammed Sulaiman AL-khuziem EST
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
2018.04 - 2019.09
- Posted job positions across various recruitment channels to attract top talent.
- Managed recruitment processes and contract drafting for new hires.
- Oversaw and monitored payroll processing to ensure accuracy and compliance.
- Organized new employee orientation schedules to facilitate smooth onboarding.
- Managed monthly salary adjustments, contract renewals, and promotions.
- Administered medical insurance processes, ensuring employee coverage and issue resolution.
- Created and processed personnel action forms for new hires, terminations, and title changes.
- Vacations
- GOSI
- Absher / Muqeem
- Everything related to Labour Office
HR coordinator
Al Foadia Group
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
2017.10 - 2018.03
Education
Bachelor Degree in English Language -
King Saud University
Skills
- Microsoft office
- Leadership skills and team work
- Talent management and recruitment
- Strategic Sourcing
- Time Management
- LinkedIn headhunting
Certification
- Human Resources Specialist - 2018 (26 Hours)
- GOSI - 2019 (10 Hours)
- Get the right candidate - 2020 online course (12 hours)
- Interviews based on competency - 2022 (25 Hours)
- CIPD Level 5 (2025)
Timeline
Senior advisor - Talent Acquisition
Aecom
2026.04 - Current
Senior Talent Acquisition Partner
KPMG ME
2024.06 - 2026.04
Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist
Maharah Human Resources
2022.09 - 2024.05
HR Business Partner Specialist
Patchi
2021.02 - 2022.09
HR Business Partner Officer
Patchi
2019.10 - 2021.02
HR Officer
Muhammed Sulaiman AL-khuziem EST
2018.04 - 2019.09
HR coordinator
Al Foadia Group
2017.10 - 2018.03
Bachelor Degree in English Language -
King Saud University