Founded in 1971, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) is a leading diversified energy group, and one of the world’s largest energy companies.
As the Senior Vice President of Group Human Capital Strategy & Organization Effectiveness at ADNOC, Eiman AlHammadi has been instrumental in leading large-scale transformations that have significantly enhanced organizational efficiency and effectiveness. Her expertise spans strategic HR management, organizational transformation, and the implementation of innovative solutions.
A Journey Shaped by Excellence and Dedication
Eiman AlHammadi has a proven track record in driving workforce and financial planning, mergers and acquisitions, and operating model transformations. Her journey to becoming the Senior Vice President of Group Human Capital Strategy & Organization Effectiveness at ADNOC has been shaped by a blend of strategic roles across HR and operational leadership.
Starting her career with a focus on HRM, Eiman AlHammadi progressed through various roles that emphasized organizational transformation, strategic workforce planning, Organization Design, and effectiveness. She had to pivot during the early stages of her career when her initial focus shifted from traditional HR roles to strategic organizational transformation. This experience taught her the importance of adaptability and being open to new opportunities, which ultimately led to significant professional growth.
Eiman AlHammadi played a pivotal role in the successful implementation of a Shared Services model that led to a 30% efficiency improvement and substantial cost savings. Her leadership has been crucial in delivering on key business objectives, with a focus on future skills, cultural transformation, and enhancing the employee value proposition.
A champion for empowering UAE talent and promoting gender diversity, Eiman is also a mentor and coach, actively contributing to the acceleration of gender diversity and inclusion within the organization. She holds an MBA and a BS in Business Sciences & HRM, along with executive certifications from Harvard Business School and London Business School. Eiman is a graduate of ADNOC’s prestigious Future Leaders Program.
Being a Decisive Leader
Leadership, for Eiman AlHammadi, is about inspiring and empowering others to achieve a common goal. Essential qualities include resilience, adaptability, and the ability to communicate effectively. She believes a leader must also be innovative, as today’s fast-paced environment demands a forward-thinking approach. By fostering an inclusive culture and prioritizing employee well-being, leaders can create environments where everyone feels valued and motivated to contribute.
Leadership is also about making decisions every now and then, under different situations. Given her role, Eiman often finds herself taking tough calls. She insists that high-pressure decision-making requires clarity of thought and the ability to remain calm. She has learned that gathering diverse perspectives and understanding the business are crucial to making informed decisions. It’s also important to understand and validate the data when making decisions, act decisively, and take ownership of outcomes, learning from both successes and setbacks to refine future strategies.
Challenging yet Defining Moments
One of the biggest challenges for Eiman was managing the various transformation that the business experienced due to a dynamic, ever-changing competitive landscape. This required a robust change management strategy, which involved engaging stakeholders at all levels, clear communication, and creating a unified operating model. By fostering a culture of collaboration and transparency, Eiman and the team successfully navigated these challenges, leading to significant improvements.
Another defining initiative Eiman led was the implementation of a Shared Services model, which centralized support functions and streamlined operations. This project not only improved operational efficiency but also resulted in significant cost savings and enhanced user satisfaction.
Creating a Progressive Workplace
Fostering an inclusive culture involves actively promoting diversity and creating an environment where every voice is heard. Eiman prioritizes initiatives that support UAE talent, gender diversity, and youth development.
A progressive workplace culture helps the company to stay ahead of industry trends and involves continuous learning and adaptation. Eiman regularly engages with thought leaders, attends industry conferences, and participates in forums to exchange ideas across sectors. Within her team, Eiman fosters a culture of innovation by encouraging open discussions about new technologies and methodologies, while also prioritizing training and development – including on the job and through formalized programs – to ensure her team’s skills remain aligned with emerging trends.
Managing Risks and Balancing Vision with Operations
Eiman shares that balancing the long-term vision with day-to-day operations requires strategic planning, prioritization, and effective delegation. She ensures that the team’s daily tasks align with the businesses’ key strategic goals, allowing them to make incremental progress while addressing immediate operational needs. Effective delegation, flexibility, and open communication ensure immediate challenges are managed without losing sight of the bigger picture. Regular check-ins and performance assessments underpinned with KPIs and data help to maintain focus on their overarching objectives.
As for risk management, it involves identifying potential challenges early and developing mitigation strategies. Eiman advocates for a proactive approach, where teams regularly assess risks and adapt plans accordingly. By fostering a culture of transparency and open communication, they aim to collectively navigate uncertainties and position the organization for success.
“For instance, as we are embarking on the Energy transition, it is crucial to proactively assess risks and adapt plans accordingly. Similarly, in international expansion and decarbonization efforts, fostering a culture of transparency and open communication helps to navigate uncertainties and position the organization for enduring success,” shares Eiman.
Mentoring Aspiring Leaders
Mentorship has been pivotal in Eiman’s career. As a mentee, she has benefitted from mentors who provided guidance and insight during crucial phases, helping her to deepen her knowledge, navigate challenges, and seize opportunities.
Now, as a mentor, Eiman strives to empower younger professionals by sharing her experiences and providing them with the tools to grow. This reciprocal relationship enriches the organization and promotes a culture of continuous learning.
Eiman is also an active member of the CIPD’s UAE Advisory Committee and in this role, she uses every opportunity to support organizations in creating a compelling vision that puts the people agenda at the forefront. She also encourages organizations to foster a culture of continuous learning and development, as well as to promote knowledge transfer, ensuring the critical organizational knowledge is preserved and shared. She believes that mentorship is key to building a more skilled, motivated, engaged and cohesive workforce, which is key to driving any organization’s success.
Her advice for aspiring leaders is to take charge of their learning and development and to actively seek diverse experiences that help build depth as well as breadth of their expertise. Eiman emphasizes that it is important for young leaders to leverage organizational challenges as potential opportunities for advancement.
“Building a strong professional network and finding mentors can provide invaluable insights and opportunities. Additionally, demonstrating resilience and a willingness to innovate can set you apart in a competitive landscape,” she says.
Thoughts for the Future
The Energy industry is set for significant transformation over the next 5-10 years. Eiman shares that the energy transition will drive increased investments in clean energy and sustainability, while simultaneously focusing on reduction of carbon intensity. AI and digitalization will also enhance efficiency. Adaptability, innovation, and agility will be key to thriving in this evolving landscape.
Eiman AlHammadi is proud of having played an instrumental role in many key projects that have also helped her grow significantly as a business and people leader. Her long and illustrious career has also taught her the significance of not just technical and business skills, rather that of soft skills as well – humility, respect, empathy, collaboration, and creativity play an equally important role in a team’s success.
“Looking forward, my goals include further driving organizational effectiveness in support of UAE’s Vision 2030, while continuing to mentor and develop the next generation of leaders for the country,” concludes Eiman.
Quote: “My commitment to ESG principles and Emiratization goals guides my decisions, ensuring that our organizational objectives contribute positively to the economy, job creation, and societal impact, benefitting the communities we serve.”
Quote: “We are taking significant steps to make today’s energy cleaner while investing in the clean energies of tomorrow, strengthening our position as a reliable and responsible global energy provider.”
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