He started his career in the United States as a store lead consultant with FedEx. He worked in that role for two years, until he met SSC Unit Director Ouss Sahhar at a Lebanese restaurant. Ouss spoke passionately about SSC and the growth opportunities available, which struck a chord with Bahaa. They shared contact information and planned to stay in touch.

Nine months later, Bahaa moved to Richmond, VA to be closer to his family, and while searching for a new job, he came upon a Manager in Training (MIT) job posted by SSC and applied.

Bahaa was hired as an MIT at VCU, where he gained operational experience, leadership skills and hands-on learning opportunities in the facilities management field.

“The MIT program was a pivotal moment in my career, transforming me from an inexperienced individual to a confident professional in
facilities services.

The program comprehensively filled the gap, equipping me with essential skills like leadership, team management, communication, interpersonal relations, conflict
resolution, and more.”

The goal of the MIT program is to effectively train individuals to step into manager roles at SSC’s existing or new partner accounts. The next step in this process is often New Manager Training at the corporate office in Knoxville, TN.

“With the support of Nickie Dwyer and her team, I had the chance to attend New Manager Training, which was three days long. They teach you how to effectively utilize operational systems and tools as a manager, how to support and correct employees through constructive feedback and coaching, navigate HR policies and procedures, and more.  In the MIT program, you really learn everything – from operations to safety to training & development.”

Next Steps: From MIT to Recruiter

After three months in the MIT program, a recruiter position opened up with SSC at VCU, and Bahaa was quick to jump in and make an impact:

“I was offered the recruiter position, and at that time, we had 67 vacancies on campus. I managed to drop that down to just one or two vacancies.”

As a recruiter, Bahaa also had the opportunity to travel and support different accounts for SSC with new projects and startups, and in December 2022, he was named Recruiter of the Month.

Back to His Roots: Becoming an HR Manager

After almost a year as a recruiter at VCU, Bahaa was asked to apply for and step into an HR manager position. This transformative career advancement was made possible through the unwavering support and mentorship of HR Business partner Brittany Doring, whose guidance and expertise played a significant role in his success. Today, Bahaa oversees HR functions for over 350 associates on campus, and he says his top priority is supporting everyone he encounters – from hourly associates to managers and supervisors – and making sure they know that the same growth opportunities he has experienced are available to each of them.

“We do our best to make sure everyone feels welcome, receives the proper training they need, and support them as much as we can. We believe every employee deserves to know they have a future with us, beyond their current role. Whether they’re front-line associates, supervisor, or leaders, we want them to feel seen and encouraged to grow. We offer professional development courses, trainings, HIPO program and mentorship – Our goal is to foster a culture of growth, where every team member can climb the career ladder and reach their goals.”

Bahaa has experienced the supportive culture of SSC – from his first meeting with Ouss at a Lebanese restaurant, to his own growth within the organization. He makes it a priority to help others understand the same level of support is available to them, too.

“My advice to others in the field is to stay focused on your goals and keep learning. Take advantage of the knowledge and experience of those around you, including leaders and colleagues. Take notes, ask questions and apply what you learn. By embracing this mindset and approach, you’ll not only achieve your own success but also contribute to a culture of continuous growth and excellence. Remember, your potential is limitless, and the right mindset and support can take you to new heights”