Ahmed ElDekny

Vice Media Group (April 2021 – October 2024)

Various Leadership Roles in Talent and HR, culminating in VP, Global Talent Management & Acquisition

Interim HR Consultant (April 2021 – March 2022)

• Spearheaded hyper-growth initiatives in the UAE and KSA, including the incorporation of a legal entity in Saudi Arabia.
• Scaled the KSA team from 0 to 25 employees in under 12 months, ensuring compliance with local labor laws and alignment with the company’s global business strategy.
• Developed a market-entry playbook, optimizing talent acquisition processes and streamlining operational setup to support rapid expansion.
• Partnered with leadership to define talent strategies tailored to high-growth and emerging markets, addressing region-specific challenges such as workforce localization.

Senior Director, Talent (May 2021 – January 2022)

• Directed Talent Management and Talent Acquisition across EMEA and APAC regions, covering 10+ countries, including high-priority markets such as the UK, Benelux, DACH, and Asia.
• Partnered with the Global VP of Talent to implement a cohesive employer branding strategy, enhancing the company’s reputation in competitive talent markets.
• Revamped recruitment processes, cutting time-to-hire by 30% while filling critical technical and leadership roles in diverse markets.
• Introduced performance management systems and engagement programs to address challenges during the Great Resignation, achieving a 15% increase in employee retention.
• Launched DEI initiatives, such as unconscious bias training and mentorship programs, resulting in a measurable improvement in workforce diversity metrics.
• Played a pivotal role in organizational design by balancing expansion in high-growth markets with strategic downsizing in others:
• Closed Scandinavian markets and Southern European markets (Spain, Portugal, Greece) while scaling teams in priority markets.

Global Head of Talent Management (January 2022 – October 2022)

• Led Talent Management strategies across North America, EMEA, and APAC, focusing on creating scalable frameworks for performance management, succession planning, and L&D.
• Designed and implemented a global future-of-work strategy, including hybrid work policies, flexible work modalities, and return-to-office frameworks.
• Developed and rolled out a succession planning process, identifying and nurturing high-potential talent for critical roles, leading to a 20% increase in internal promotions.
• Enhanced employee engagement scores by 25% through targeted initiatives such as leadership development programs and pulse surveys.
• Launched DEI initiatives that included data-driven assessments and tailored interventions, leading to a 10% increase in underrepresented groups in leadership roles.
• Established an Emerging Talent Program to strengthen the talent pipeline, onboarding 50+ high-potential graduates globally.

Interim HR Business Partner, DACH (April 2022 – October 2022)

• Managed HR operations for Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, ensuring seamless support during a transitional period.
• Led the restructuring and downsizing of operations in Austria and Switzerland, successfully mitigating legal risks and preserving morale during closures.
• Developed and executed change management plans for organizational transitions, achieving minimal disruption to business operations.
• Transitioned HR responsibilities for Germany to a permanent resource, ensuring a well-documented and smooth handover.

VP, Global Talent Management & Acquisition (October 2022 – October 2024)

• Assumed global responsibility for both Talent Acquisition and Talent Management, driving strategies that aligned with the company’s long-term goals and market realities.
• Reimagined the company’s global Talent Acquisition strategy, integrating AI-driven tools for recruitment, reducing hiring time by 20%, and improving candidate experience scores by 30%.
• Established “success profiles” for leadership roles, aligning competencies and behaviors with business goals, resulting in enhanced leadership alignment.
• Partnered with C-suite executives to lead key structural transformations:
• Collaborated with the CFO to redesign the Finance organization, achieving a 15% efficiency improvement.
• Worked with the Chief People Officer to restructure the Global People & Culture team, optimizing talent deployment and enhancing cross-regional collaboration.
• Streamlined commercial and functional structures in partnership with the Global President of Digital and Chief Commercial Officer, driving cost savings of over 10%.
• Strengthened the organization’s approach to the future of work by implementing innovative policies, such as compressed workweeks, flexible hours, and virtual-first onboarding for global teams.
• Directed global succession planning, identifying and developing talent for critical leadership roles, ensuring business continuity and future-readiness.
• Oversaw all streams of Talent Management and Talent Acquisition, including performance management, L&D, employee engagement, organizational design, and executive recruitment.

• As the Group Director of People and Talent at GroupM MENA, I assumed a strategic HR leadership role across 18 countries and six media agencies
• I supported four Chief Executive Officers and Chief Finance Officers, leading the HR team and partnering closely with the MENA CEO and senior leaders to develop and implement people strategies that align with business objectives
• Developed and executed a comprehensive people strategy that aligned with business goals, focusing on workforce planning, career growth initiatives, and talent development for a regional, matrixed team of over 1800 employees
• Successfully led large-scale organizational change initiatives, ensuring effective communication, engagement, and adoption throughout the organization
• Provided coaching and guidance to business leaders on talent assessment, development, succession planning, and organizational effectiveness, contributing to a high-performance culture
• Analyzed HR metrics and trends to provide data-driven insights and solutions for workforce planning, attrition, engagement, recruiting, and budgeting, aiding informed decision-making