Payroll Manager - Multi-Country Operations

GMG Gulf; Dubai; On-site; AED 110,172 - 165,258; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Leadership role with visibility across HR and Finance.

Opportunities for professional development.

Engagement in complex payroll transformation projects.

Job summary

GMG Gulf is looking for an experienced Payroll Manager to lead multi-country payroll operations in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This role requires 12 years of experience in managing payroll, with strong skills in SAP S/4HANA, SuccessFactors, and compliance across the UAE and GCC.

The successful candidate will ensure accurate payroll processing, manage payroll transformations, and oversee governance while working closely with cross-functional teams. This senior position offers the opportunity to enhance payroll systems and drive operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Minimum 12 years of progressive payroll management experience.
• At least 4-6 years of hands-on experience using SAP S/4HANA payroll systems.
• Strong experience managing multi-country payroll operations in UAE and GCC.
• Proven knowledge of statutory payroll compliance.
• Practical experience in payroll transformation and process standardisation.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end payroll operations across multiple geographies.
• Manage payroll runs, settlements, and banking processes.
• Ensure statutory compliance across various regions.
• Oversee final settlement processes and payroll data validation.
• Drive payroll transformation initiatives to improve automation.

Skills

SAP S/4HANA Payroll

SAP SuccessFactors

Multi-country payroll processing

Payroll administration

Payroll controls and reconciliation

WPS compliance

GPSSA compliance

PF and NPS knowledge

Final settlement processing

Payroll banking

Payroll reporting dashboards

Advanced Excel

Microsoft SharePoint

Attendance system integration

SOP development

Process automation

Payroll audit readiness

Risk management

Compliance governance

Stakeholder management

Vendor coordination

Team leadership

Education

Professional certification in payroll, finance, or HR

Job description

Payroll Manager - Multi-Country Operations

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Industry: Retail

Function: Payroll and Benefits Administration

Experience: 12 years

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: 30,000-45,000 USD (estimated range; final offer to be confirmed with employer)

Job Snapshot

Payroll Manager in Dubai, United Arab Emirates within the Retail sector is a senior hiring opportunity for an experienced payroll leader who can manage multi-country payroll operations, strengthen controls, improve automation, and ensure accurate employee payments across complex regional business environments.

The role is designed for a payroll professional with strong SAP S/4HANA, SuccessFactors, compliance, reconciliation, reporting, and stakeholder management experience across the UAE, GCC, and wider MENA region.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end payroll operations across multiple geographies, ensuring payroll is processed accurately, on time, and in line with financial, legal, and administrative requirements.
• Manage payroll runs, simulations, final settlements, banking processes, reimbursements, deductions, benefits, statutory inputs, and employee lifecycle changes.
• Use SAP S/4HANA and SuccessFactors to oversee payroll data, employee records, workflows, payroll inputs, and cross-functional process controls.
• Build strong payroll governance by implementing approval hierarchies, reconciliation checks, cut‑off discipline, audit controls, and standard operating procedures.
• Validate payroll data from attendance systems, leave records, incentive files, overtime inputs, statutory contributions, and employee benefit records.
• Ensure statutory compliance across the UAE, GCC, and other applicable regions, including WPS, GPSSA, PF, NPS, and related local payroll regulations.
• Coordinate closely with HRBP, onboarding, offboarding, Finance, Government Relations, banking partners, and external vendors to secure timely payroll inputs and approvals.
• Oversee final settlement processes, including recoveries, hold instructions, offboarding payments, employee record closures, and legal compliance checks.
• Develop dashboards, payroll reports, reconciliations, trend analysis, cost insights, and management updates to support senior leadership decisions.
• Drive payroll transformation initiatives by improving automation, standardising processes, reducing manual work, and enhancing integration between payroll systems.
• Maintain updated payroll manuals, process documents, guidelines, and control frameworks aligned with business changes and regulatory requirements.
• Identify payroll risks early, create mitigation plans, and protect operational continuity across high‑volume payroll cycles.
• Set clear objectives for payroll team members, monitor performance, provide coaching, and build stronger process ownership across the function.

Ideal Profile

• Minimum 12 years of progressive payroll management experience.
• At least 4‑6 years of hands‑on experience using SAP S/4HANA payroll systems within the MENA region.
• Strong experience managing end‑to‑end multi‑country payroll operations in the UAE and GCC.
• India payroll exposure will be an added advantage.
• Proven knowledge of statutory payroll compliance, including WPS, GPSSA, PF, NPS, and regional employment regulations.
• Practical experience in payroll transformation, automation, controls improvement, SOP development, and process standardisation.
• Strong ability to manage payroll calendars, cut‑off dates, regional holidays, reconciliations, and complex payment cycles.
• Confident working with HR, Finance, GR, banks, vendors, and senior leadership in a deadline‑driven environment.
• Professional certification in payroll, finance, or HR such as CPP, CIPD, SHRM, ACCA, or CPA will be an advantage.
• Strong leadership approach with the ability to guide teams, reduce individual dependency, and create a high‑performance payroll culture.

Skills Set

• SAP S/4HANA Payroll
• SAP SuccessFactors
• Multi‑country payroll processing
• Payroll administration
• Payroll controls and reconciliation
• WPS compliance
• GPSSA compliance
• PF and NPS knowledge
• Final settlement processing
• Payroll banking
• Payroll reporting dashboards
• Advanced Excel
• Microsoft SharePoint
• Attendance system integration
• SOP development
• Process automation
• Payroll audit readiness
• Risk management
• Compliance governance
• Stakeholder management
• Vendor coordination
• Team leadership

Why Join Us

• Senior payroll leadership role within a major regional business group operating across retail, food, health, logistics, and consumer sectors.
• Opportunity to manage complex payroll operations across multiple countries and business divisions.
• Strong scope to lead payroll transformation, automation, governance, and system improvement initiatives.
• Exposure to SAP‑driven payroll environments, cross‑functional projects, and regional compliance frameworks.
• Role suited for experienced payroll professionals seeking a high‑impact position with visibility across HR, Finance, banking, and senior management teams.

About the Company

GMG is a global well‑being company with a strong presence across sport, everyday goods, health and beauty, properties, logistics, retail, distribution, and manufacturing. Operating across the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia, GMG partners with leading international and home‑grown brands while supporting large‑scale business operations through strong systems, professional teams, and a focus on sustainable regional growth.