Reward Manager – MENA (Dubai)

About the role

The Reward Manager for the MENA region will design, implement and govern the reward strategy across multiple countries, ensuring alignment with global philosophy while staying competitive locally. Based in Dubai, the role partners closely with HR directors, business partners, finance and global reward teams to deliver equitable and cost‑effective compensation and benefits programs.

Key responsibilities

• Implement the regional reward strategy across MENA markets, aligning with global and regional priorities.
• Partner with HR Business Partners and business leaders to provide strategic advice on compensation, benefits and reward‑related decisions.
• Ensure compliance with global reward policies, governance frameworks and local statutory requirements.
• Drive consistency and standardisation of compensation practices while balancing market competitiveness.
• Lead the annual compensation planning cycle, including merit increases.
• Develop, review and optimise country‑specific benefits strategies.
• Manage participation in external compensation surveys (Mercer, WTW, Korn Ferry) and ensure data quality.
• Analyse market trends, inflation, labour movements and regulatory changes to provide data‑driven recommendations.
• Prepare business cases and financial impact analyses for reward proposals.
• Lead strategic initiatives such as Reward Market Fit, pay transparency, living wage implementation and digitalisation of reward processes.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Economics or a related field.
• Minimum 7 years of HR experience, with at least 4 years focused on rewards.
• Proven experience managing reward programmes across multiple countries.
• Strong understanding of salary surveys and market benchmarking.
• Experience in annual compensation cycles and pay‑structure design.

Required skills