Rita Abi Saab’s career is a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to transformation. From her early beginnings in accounting to becoming a leader in human resources within the energy sector, her journey is marked by milestones that showcase her expertise in organizational development, change management, and talent leadership.
Over the years, she has played a pivotal role in shaping workforce strategies, bridging operational gaps, and implementing digital transformations that have redefined HR processes. Her professional trajectory spans multiple industries, including insurance, construction, and energy, each phase contributing to her holistic understanding of business dynamics. She has been instrumental in designing talent acquisition strategies, developing graduate programs, and driving large-scale mergers with efficiency. This narrative delves into the experiences and challenges that have defined Rita’s career, shedding light on the milestones that have shaped her into the influential leader she is today.
Career Beginnings and Early Motivations
Rita ‘s career journey began in 2000, immediately after graduating, when she stepped into the world of accounting. Her initial goal was clear—to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and specialize in auditing and finance. She started her career in Lebanon, working with Third Party Insurance and Zublin, a German construction company. During this period, she was assigned by her organization to study Life Office Management Association (LOMA) Level 1, which provided her with a strong foundation in insurance and third-party accounting. This experience broadened her professional outlook and laid the groundwork for a diverse career path beyond her initial aspirations.
Move to the UAE
In 2002, Rita made the bold decision to move to Dubai in search of new career opportunities. For her, success in Dubai was not an option but a necessity. She joined an insurance brokerage firm as Customer Program Enthusiasm Manager, as the owner believed whatever they were doing internally is at the end of the day adding value to the organization. There her primary responsibility was to digitize accounting processes and implement accounting software. This role provided her with invaluable exposure to the intricacies of the insurance and financial industries.
A significant milestone in her early UAE career was preparing the firm for ISO certification. “Working closely with a consultant, I played a key role in designing and implementing new processes that streamlined operations. One of my most memorable experiences was managing the relationship with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in Yemen.” While she was not directly involved in underwriting the special medical scheme, she led the relationship meetings with MOFA and played a crucial role in securing the opportunity. Rita personally returned from Yemen with an exclusive letter from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, recognizing our firm’s contributions and granting us the mandate to work on the deal.
Around the same time, she was invited to design and deliver a training program for Emirati women at the Higher College of Technology (HCT) in Sharjah. This experience ignited her passion for training and knowledge-sharing, prompting her to pursue a postgraduate degree in management from Cambridge University in mid-2003.
Entry into the Energy Industry
In 2004, Rita transitioned into the energy sector by joining Petrofac as a recruiter. “Initially, I was responsible for hiring across various projects and sites. During this time, I took on a short-term assignment as the Acting Admin/HR Manager for one of the company’s largest pipeline projects in Georgia/Tbilisi, stepping in to cover for the Admin Manager during his compassionate leave.” This role gave her firsthand exposure to the operational realities of the oil and gas industry, including extreme weather conditions and remote site management. By working closely with employees at all levels—from laborers to senior executives—she gained valuable insights into workforce challenges and reinforced her commitment to bridging the gap between corporate leadership and on-site personnel.
Her focus on workforce engagement and process improvement led to significant career advancements. By 2007, when Petrofac was undergoing an IPO and organizational transformation, she was appointed Graduate Development Program Manager, tasked with designing a five-year world-class onboarding program for fresh engineering graduates. Many of these graduates have since ascended to leadership positions in the industry, a source of immense pride for her.
Her role at Petrofac evolved further, encompassing Organizational Development (OD) and Organizational Effectiveness (OE). She contributed to process reengineering and enhanced recruitment and supply chain efficiencies. One of her proudest achievements was digitizing the competency system, & learning identification system, and establishing a robust talent management and succession planning mechanism. She also played a pivotal role in aligning talent to projects, ensuring both organizational growth and individual career development.
As her expertise in HR and leadership development deepened, Rita completed the City & Guilds Train the Trainer course. Petrofac continued to invest in her growth through management development programs at Robert Gordon University and London Business School, which further honed her leadership and change management skills.
Throughout her tenure, she contributed significantly to global transformation projects, including a revamp of the performance development process. Her travels to challenging environments such as Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman sites , Shanghai fabrication yards, provided her with firsthand insight into the diverse needs of a global workforce. “These experiences were instrumental in my eventual promotion to Human Resources Director, where I spearheaded the launch of Offshore Business Units and Renewable Energy projects”. In this capacity, she ensured a seamless integration of new teams, implemented onboarding frameworks, and supported talent allocation for renwable projects in Germany and the Netherlands and fabrications yards like Dubai Dry Docks.
A key highlight of her leadership was championing women in engineering roles. She actively advocated for female engineers, ensuring they received adequate exposure and opportunities to thrive in the industry. Her contributions were recognized in 2017 when she participated in a Women Empowerment panel at ADIPEC, highlighting the importance of gender diversity in the sector.
Transition to NMDC
In January 2018, amidst the downturn of the oil and gas industry, Rita joined the National Marine Dredging Company (NMDC) as HR Director. This new chapter in her career was both transformative and rewarding. She collaborated with a team of young, ambitious leaders, driving key HR initiatives that became the foundation for NMDC’s success.
During her tenure, she played a pivotal role in leading various strategic HR functions, driving efficiency and innovation within the organization. She spearheaded the implementation of automation within HR systems and corporate HR projects, enhancing operational effectiveness and streamlining processes. Additionally, she oversaw key areas such as talent acquisition, learning and development, and Emiratization, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and regulatory requirements. Her responsibilities also extended to managing general services, facilities, and employee medical insurance, fostering a well-supported and productive workforce. To gain deeper industry insights, she conducted site visits in the UAE and Egypt, allowing her to better understand the complexities of the dredging and marine industry.
As a key member of the Crisis Management Team during the COVID-19 pandemic, she played a critical role in ensuring business continuity while prioritizing employee safety and well-being.
In February 2021, following NMDC’s merger with NPCC, she returned to the energy sector, tackling one of the most complex challenges of her career integrating two legacy organizations with distinct cultures and operational structures where Rita played a major role in setting the foundations within HR and setting the “One culture” tone within the organization.
She played a crucial role in the HR function as having strategically restructured to enhance efficiency and effectiveness across the organization. This transformation involves the establishment of a Shared Services model, Centers of Excellence, and a Business Partner framework to optimize HR operations. Supporting four business subsidiaries, the HR function caters to a workforce that peaks at 25,000 employees, ensuring seamless alignment with business objectives. Additionally, significant contributions are being made to the digital transformation journey, including her contribution to the implementation of Oracle within HR processes. This initiative is revolutionizing operational efficiency, driving automation, and enhancing data-driven decision-making.
Rita through NMDC has joined the Leadership Development Program at INSEAD and Coaching sessions, a milestone that equipped her with the right leadership skills for her role and future roles. Rita’s passion and belief in the power of continuous learning materializes in her recent enrollment in a Global Executive MBA for a wider exposure to keep spreading HR wings beyond the narrowness of the daily duty and connecting all aspects of the organization together and catering to the Global environment & diversity/sustainability agenda.
Legacy and Ongoing Impact
Rita Abi Saab’s career is a story of resilience, innovation, and leadership. From digitizing accounting processes to championing HR transformations in the energy sector, she has consistently demonstrated her ability to adapt and lead in dynamic environments. Her efforts have not only contributed to organizational growth but have also created lasting opportunities for individuals across industries. As she continues to evolve as an HR Leader, mentor and change agent, her journey remains an inspiration for professionals striving to make an impact in their fields.
