Payroll Specialist Lead - United Arab Emirates

Remote; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 122,000 - 275,000; Full time

Job summary

A global technology company is hiring a Payroll Specialist Lead in the United Arab Emirates. This fully remote role involves managing end-to-end payroll operations, ensuring compliance, and mentoring team members. Candidates should have significant experience in payroll management and be proficient in relevant software tools. Ideal for individuals who thrive in fast-paced, asynchronous environments.

Benefits

Work from anywhere

Flexible paid time off

16 weeks paid parental leave

Mental health support services

Stock options

Learning budget

Home office budget

Budget for local social events

Qualifications

• Experience leading UAE payroll processing.
• Strong problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work asynchronously in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage payroll processing and compliance.
• Mentor payroll specialists.
• Drive process improvements for efficiency.

Skills

In-house payroll management

DMCC workflows

MOL workflows

WPS workflows

Analytical mindset

Fluent English

Tools

SAP

Excel

Google Sheets

Job description

About Remote

Remote is solving modern organizations’ biggest challenge navigating global employment compliantly with ease. We make it possible for businesses of all sizes to recruit pay and manage international teams. With our core values at heart and future‑focused work culture our team works tirelessly on ambitious problems asynchronously around the world. You can find Remoters working from 6 different continents (Antarctica left to go!) and all of our positions are fully remote.

What this job can offer you

This is an exciting opportunity to join Remote as a Payroll Specialist Lead focusing on payroll operations in the United Arab Emirates. In this role you will take ownership of end‑to‑end payroll processing ensuring accuracy, compliance and efficiency while managing key stakeholder relationships across Finance, Product and Engineering. You will also have the opportunity to drive process improvements, mentor payroll specialists and contribute to the continuous optimization of payroll operations in a fast‑paced international environment.

What you bring

• In‑house payroll management or equivalent experience leading the full end‑to‑end processing of UAE payroll.
• Hands‑on experience with DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre) MOL (Ministry of Labour) or WPS (Wages Protection System) workflows.
• Knowledge of payroll best practices.
• Proficient in using software tools like SAP, Excel or Google Sheet.
• An analytical mindset with great problem‑solving abilities.
• Ability to adapt to a fast‑paced international work environment with a passion for making an impact.
• Is a productivity geek and will constantly think of ways to improve and speed up their work.
• You understand the need and ideal to work largely asynchronously.
• Writes and speaks fluent English.
• Its not required to have experience working remotely but considered a plus.

Key responsibilities

• Act as a true subject matter expert for the country.
  • Manage existing relationships with key stakeholder within Payroll Implementation Finance Product Engineers.
  • Process full end to end payroll in‑house statutory filing requirements, exceptions, approvals, payments and compliance.
  • Ensure payroll operations are fully compliant with DMCC, MOL or WPS requirements including related reporting and processing standards.
  • Ensure full data integrity and quality.
• Accounting/reconciliations.
• Focus on KPIs and SLAs.
• Implement and improve processes.
• Mentor and support payroll specialists.
• Back up regional managers during times of absence.

Practicals

• You’ll report to: Manager Global Payroll Operations
• Team: Payroll
• Location: EMEA
• Start date: As soon as possible

Remote Compensation Philosophy

Remotes Total Rewards philosophy is to ensure fair unbiased compensation and fair equity pay along with competitive benefits in all locations in which we operate. We do not agree to or encourage cheap‑labor practices and therefore we ensure to pay above in‑location rates. We hope to inspire other companies to support global talent‑hiring and bring local wealth to developing countries.

At first glance our salary bands seem wide – here is some context. At Remote we have international operations and a globally distributed use geo ranges to consider geographic pay differentials as part of our global compensation strategy to remain competitive in various markets while we hiring globally.

The base salary range for this full‑time position is $33,300 to $74,850 USD. Our salary ranges are determined by role level and location and our job titles may span more than one career level. The actual base pay for the successful candidate in this role is dependent upon many factors such as location transferable or job‑related skills work experience relevant training business needs and market demands. The base salary range may be subject to change.

Application process

• Interview with Recruiter
• Interview with Manager Payroll Operations
• Interview with Hiring Manager
• Interview with Senior Manager
• Bar Raiser Interview

Benefits

Our full benefits & perks are explained in our handbook at As a global company each country works differently but some benefits/perks are for all Remoters:

• Work from anywhere
• Flexible paid time off
• Flexible working hours (we areasync)
• 16 weeks paid parental leave
• Mental health support services
• Stock options
• Learning budget
• Home office budget & IT equipment
• Budget for local in‑person social events or co‑working spaces

How you’ll plan your day (and life)

We work async at Remote which means you can plan your schedule around your life (and not around meetings). Read more at will be empowered to take ownership and be proactive. When in doubt you will default to action instead of waiting. Your life‑work balance is important and you will be encouraged to put yourself and your family first and fit work around your needs.

How to apply

• Please fill out the form below and upload your CV with a PDF format.
• We kindly ask you to submit your application and CV in English as this is the standardised language we use here at Remote.
• If you dont have an up to date CV but you are still interested in talking to us please feel free to add a copy of your LinkedIn profile instead.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We will ask you to voluntarily tell us your pronouns at interview stage and you will have the option to answer our anonymous demographic questionnaire when you apply below. As an equal employment opportunity employer its important to us that our workforce reflects people of all backgrounds identities and experiences and this data will help us to stay accountable. We thank you for providing this data if you chose to.

Required Experience

Unclear Seniority