Senior Manager - Talent, Performance & Rewards

Apparel Group; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the UAE is seeking a Senior Manager for Talent, Performance & Rewards. This role involves designing and implementing compensation strategies, managing performance systems, and enhancing employee engagement. The ideal candidate will have significant HR experience and relevant certifications, focusing on attracting and retaining top talent while driving organizational performance.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in HR/Total Rewards, including 2-3 years in a managerial role.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement competitive compensation and benefits programs.
• Manage performance management systems and integrate with learning initiatives.
• Lead employee recognition programs and engagement initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Performance Management

Data Analysis

Education

Professional certifications in Compensation & Benefits

HRM

Talent Management

Job description

Job Description

Objective:
As the Talent, Performance & Rewards Senior Manager, you will lead the design, implementation, and evolution of our compensation, benefits, performance management, and employee recognition frameworks. Your goal is to ensure our total rewards strategy not only attracts and retains top talent but also drives engagement, performance, and alignment with our business objectives across all regions.

Key Responsibilities:

Total Rewards Strategy & Implementation

• Design, implement, and continuously enhance competitive compensation and benefits programs across geographies and organizational levels, aligned with the company's strategic goals.
• Conduct regular market benchmarking, compensation analysis, and salary surveys to maintain market competitiveness and internal equity.
• Develop and roll out Incentive/Variable Pay policies and governance frameworks that are scalable, equitable, and responsive to evolving workforce needs.
• Partner with Finance to manage total rewards budgets, monitor compensation spending, and ensure timely execution of salary reviews and incentive cycles.

Performance Management & Talent Development

• Architect and manage robust performance management systems that foster accountability, clarity of expectations, and continuous feedback culture in the company.
• Integrate performance management with learning and development initiatives to enable upskilling, career pathing, and succession planning.
• Analyze performance data to identify high-potential employees, future leaders, and capability gaps, driving talent mobility and pipeline readiness.
• Build manager capability through training and tools to deliver effective performance conversations and developmental coaching.

Employee Recognition & Engagement

• Lead the design and implementation of group-wide recognition programs to celebrate excellence and build a culture of appreciation.
• Champion engagement initiatives, including surveys and listening forums, and translate insights into actionable improvement plans that drive retention and morale.
• Provide data-driven recommendations to HR Centers of Excellence and HR Business Partners to enhance the employee experience and strengthen organizational culture.

Analytics
Generate regular executive reports on compensation trends, performance results, and engagement metrics to influence business and talent strategies.

Desired Experience:
The ideal Senior Manager Talent, Performance & Rewards should have 8+ years of progressive experience in HR/Total Rewards, including 2-3 years in a managerial role. Professional certifications in Compensation & Benefits (e.g., CCP), HRM, or Talent Management are a plus.