An experienced Compensation & Rewards Manager is now required to join a financial services organisation in Dubai. This is a fantastic opportunity for a compensation specialist who enjoys combining strategic reward planning with hands on operational delivery, ensuring employees are rewarded fairly while supporting business growth and performance.

Reporting into the Senior leadership team, you will set up and take ownership of the organisation's compensation and benefits framework, salary benchmarking, HRIS performance management processes and annual payroll budgeting, whilst ensuring remuneration remains competitive within the financial services market.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of the organisation's compensation and rewards strategy.
• Manage job evaluation and grading, ensuring internal equity and consistency across the business.
• Conduct salary benchmarking and market analysis to maintain competitive remuneration structures.
• Analyse compensation trends and provide recommendations on salary reviews, promotions and reward initiatives.
• Support the design and implementation of performance related reward programmes that promote a high-performance culture.
• Responsible for the annual payroll budget, including forecasting headcount, salary increases, promotions and employee benefit costs.
• Produce detailed remuneration analysis, reports and presentations to support senior leadership decision making.
• Manage employee benefits programmes including medical insurance, life insurance and other employee benefits.
• Oversee payroll inputs, ensuring accuracy and timely processing.
• Act as the HRIS subject matter expert, driving system enhancements, reporting capability and process improvements while working closely with IT and external providers.
• Manage the annual performance management and appraisal process across the organisation.
• Build strong relationships with external consultants, insurers and benefits providers.
• Lead and contribute to HR projects including job evaluation, organisational design and reward initiatives.
• Prepare HR reports, workforce analytics and management information to support business planning.

About You

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or a related discipline.
• A recognised HR qualification such as CIPD or similar would be advantageous.
• 5-7 years' experience within Compensation & Benefits, Reward or Total Rewards.
• Previous experience within the financial services sector is highly desirable.
• Strong knowledge of compensation frameworks, salary benchmarking and job evaluation methodologies.
• Experience managing payroll budgets, remuneration analysis and employee benefits.
• Strong HRIS experience with the ability to optimise systems and reporting.
• Excellent analytical skills with advanced Excel and data interpretation capabilities.
• Confident presenting remuneration data and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Strong communication and relationship management skills.

Ref: TH196364