Payroll Specialist Job Opening in Dubai, UAE | Apply Now.

Payroll Specialist Jobs in Dubai, UAE

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for managing and supporting accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing across the organization. The role covers monthly payroll preparation, attendance and timesheet verification, salary adjustments, overtime, allowances, deductions, leave salaries, End of Service Benefits (EOSB), C3 card administration, payroll reporting, and employee payroll support.

The Payroll Specialist works closely with HR, Finance, and employees to ensure payroll transactions are processed accurately and in accordance with company policies and applicable UAE Labour Law and payroll requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Administration

• Prepare and process monthly payroll inputs for employees, staff, and operational teams.
• Verify payroll transactions including new joiners, resignations, terminations, salary changes, allowances, deductions, overtime, incentives, and unpaid leave.
• Validate payroll information against approved attendance records, timesheets, HRIS data, and payroll rules.
• Review payroll calculations before submission to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
• Conduct payroll reconciliations and investigate discrepancies before payroll processing.
• Reconcile payroll-related general ledger accounts and coordinate with Finance to resolve variances.
• Prepare payroll uploads, journals, and supporting schedules using applicable payroll and finance systems.
• Maintain accurate payroll records and supporting documentation.

Attendance and Timesheet Management

• Review and validate monthly attendance records and timesheets before payroll cut-off.
• Investigate missing attendance records, discrepancies, overtime exceptions, and payroll variances.
• Verify payroll-impacting attendance elements, including overtime, absences, public holidays, weekly offs, and leave balances.
• Coordinate with HR and operational teams to resolve attendance-related payroll issues.
• Process applicable leave salary transactions accurately and on time.

End of Service Benefits and Final Settlements

• Calculate and validate End of Service Benefits (EOSB) and employee final settlements in accordance with company policies and applicable UAE Labour Law.
• Verify final attendance, leave balances, deductions, salary adjustments, and other payroll components.
• Coordinate with HR and Finance to ensure timely processing of employee separation payments.
• Maintain accurate records and supporting documents for EOSB calculations and final settlements.

Compensation and Benefits

• Support salary review and compensation analysis activities.
• Assist with salary benchmarking and compensation-related projects.
• Administer employee benefits such as medical insurance, air tickets, allowances, and other approved benefits.
• Maintain accurate compensation, salary structure, and benefits records.
• Monitor labour costs, overtime expenditure, and workforce cost trends.
• Prepare payroll, compensation, and benefits reports for management.
• Prepare monthly MIS reports and payroll forecasts, including payroll allocations, recharges, labour cost movements, and projected payroll requirements.
• Support bonus and incentive administration.
• Assist with pension-related administration for eligible Emirati employees.
• Prepare and verify U16-related payroll information and escalate any budget or compliance variances.

Employee Payroll Administration

• Process payroll-related employee changes, including new joiners, leavers, salary amendments, and other approved transactions.
• Manage C3 card requests, replacements, renewals, and related payroll documentation.
• Prepare salary certificates, salary transfer letters, and other payroll-related employee documents.
• Respond professionally to employee questions regarding salaries, payroll deductions, benefits, leave, and EOSB.
• Maintain strict confidentiality when handling employee compensation and personal information.

Payroll Compliance and Audit

• Ensure payroll processes comply with company policies and applicable UAE employment and payroll requirements.
• Support WPS payroll processing and related payroll governance activities.
• Maintain payroll records and documentation required for internal and external audits.
• Ensure payroll data is audit-ready for WPS, ISO, external audits, and other compliance reviews.
• Prepare payroll schedules, reconciliations, supporting documents, and responses to audit queries.
• Identify payroll control gaps and recommend process improvements where required.

Payroll Reporting and Analysis

• Prepare regular payroll reports, management information, and payroll dashboards.
• Analyze payroll data, labour costs, overtime expenses, and workforce expenditure.
• Support payroll forecasting and budget monitoring activities.
• Prepare accurate reconciliations and investigate unusual payroll movements.
• Use payroll data to identify discrepancies, trends, and opportunities for improved cost control.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Professional qualifications in Payroll, Compensation & Benefits, HR, or Finance will be an advantage.

Experience

• 5–7 years of progressive experience in payroll, compensation and benefits, or a related HR function.
• Minimum 3 years of UAE experience managing end-to-end payroll processing.
• Hands-on experience with UAE payroll administration, EOSB calculations, final settlements, attendance, overtime, allowances, deductions, and payroll reconciliations.
• Experience with HRIS, payroll software, and time and attendance systems is preferred.
• Experience in Facilities Management or a similar workforce-intensive industry is an advantage.

Skills and Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of UAE Labour Law and payroll-related requirements.
• Knowledge of WPS payroll processing and payroll compliance.
• Strong understanding of EOSB, leave entitlements, overtime, salary calculations, and final settlements.
• Knowledge of compensation and benefits practices, salary structures, and benchmarking.
• Experience with payroll reporting, analytics, forecasting, and labour cost management.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including lookup functions, PivotTables, reconciliations, and payroll analysis.
• Strong numerical accuracy and attention to detail.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to meet strict payroll deadlines and work effectively under pressure.
• Good communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• High level of confidentiality and professional integrity.
• Fluent English; knowledge of additional languages is an advantage.