The Spotlight Magazine is proud to present its “Leaders 40 Under 40” for 2025, showcasing the exceptional talent and groundbreaking achievements of young professionals who are reshaping their industries. Today, we shine a light on Hussein Rihan, a dynamic and influential leader who has made significant strides in both Human Resources and operational management within the GCC region.
A Multifaceted Leader at Cinépolis Gulf
Hussein Rihan currently serves as the Unit Head | HR Generalist | Regional Trainer at Cinépolis Gulf, where he has been instrumental in driving HR excellence and operational success. With over 9 years of diverse experience spanning the entertainment, higher education, HR business operations, and manufacturing sectors across the GCC, Lebanon, and Nigeria, Hussein brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective to his role.
Integrating HR and Operations for Enhanced Performance
Hussein’s career is distinguished by his innovative and holistic approach to enhancing HR practices and operational performance. He has seamlessly integrated his HR expertise with his operational responsibilities, leading to significant improvements in customer service, employee engagement, and financial outcomes. His leadership extends to overseeing daily cinema operations, optimizing staffing, and enhancing service quality to elevate the overall customer experience.
Key Contributions and Achievements
Operational Leadership: Successfully leads operations, ensuring the achievement of operational KPIs and maintaining a positive P&L.
Training and Development: Spearheaded training and development initiatives across multiple locations in the GCC region, focusing on customer service excellence and revenue growth through upselling and cross-selling.
Program Development: Designed and implemented the “Train the Trainer” program, ensuring the operational consistency of 8 Cinépolis Cinemas locations.
Collaboration and Improvement: Collaborates with Unit Heads to address attendance, performance, and knowledge-sharing challenges, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Strategic Initiatives: Presented detailed strategy proposals for enhancing service touchpoints in concessions, auditoriums, and customer-facing areas.
KPI Achievement: Contributed to achieving KPIs related to sales, customer satisfaction, COGS, and operational standards through structured follow-up and feedback mechanisms.
HR Management: Managed end-to-end recruitment and onboarding processes, prepared payroll processes, and maintained compliance with local labor laws and organizational policies.
Process Streamlining: Streamlined HR processes by introducing structured workflows for attendance tracking, leave management, provision reports, and performance reviews.
A Broad Spectrum of Experience
Beyond his role at Cinépolis Gulf, Hussein’s experience includes serving as HR Business Operations Manager at Plastimat Limited and Human Resources Manager at the American University of Culture & Education (AUCE). This diverse background has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of HR functions, business operations, and strategic leadership.
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Hussein’s academic background from Beirut Arab University, combined with his varied professional experiences, underscores his dedication to continuous learning and professional development. His influence extends beyond traditional HR functions, as he plays a pivotal role in aligning HR strategies with operational goals to drive overall business success at Cinépolis Gulf.
Team Spotlight Salutes Hussein Rihan
The Spotlight Magazine proudly honors Hussein Rihan for his outstanding contributions to both human resources and operations within the entertainment industry.
His work at Cinépolis Gulf continues to drive innovation in HR practices and operational strategies, empowering employees, enhancing customer experiences, and contributing to sustainable business growth.
Congratulations, Hussein, on being recognized as one of the Leaders 40 Under 40 for 2025! Your dedication, leadership, and commitment to excellence are truly inspiring. We wish you continued success in your future endeavors.