Associate Director, Total Rewards

About the role

The Associate Director, Total Rewards oversees compensation and benefits, payroll for UAE, manpower budgets, HRIS, data analytics, employee MIS and end-of-service processes in the UAE. The role ensures accuracy, compliance and strategic alignment of total rewards with business objectives, while driving digital transformation and process improvements.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and lead total rewards strategies, including compensation, benefits, variable pay and recognition programs, aligned with business objectives
• Keep rewards programs competitive, cost-effective and compliant with UAE labour laws, using market benchmarking
• Lead compensation benchmarking, maintain salary structures, job grading and pay frameworks, and oversee employee benefits programs
• Oversee accurate and timely payroll processing for UAE employees, and manage end-of-service benefit calculations and settlements
• Manage manpower budgets, produce HR dashboards, MIS reports and management reporting, and provide workforce analytics
• Drive HRIS optimization and automation, manage compensation and benefits data including M&A integrations, and use HR analytics for workforce planning
• Partner with HR and business leaders to align reward programs with organizational goals and guide them on rewards policy and governance

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in finance, economics, human resources or a related field; certification in C&B; master's degree is an added value
• 10 years of HR experience, with at least 5 years managing payroll and C&B for 1,000+ staff members
• Previous experience in finance and HRIS is an added value
• Arabic speaking is advantageous

Required skills

• Advanced experience with SAP; knowledge of other ERPs is an added value
• Deep knowledge of UAE labour law and compensation and benefits best practices
• Strong project management skills and ability to lead cross-functional teams