Payroll Specialist Lead - United Arab Emirates

Global HR Solutions & Employment Tools For Distributed Teams; Abu Dhabi; Remote; USD 33,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is looking for a Payroll Specialist Lead to manage payroll operations in the UAE. The role involves processing payroll, ensuring compliance, and mentoring team members. Candidates should have in-house payroll management experience and proficiency in relevant software tools. Enjoy the benefits of a fully remote position with flexible hours and a focus on work-life balance.

Benefits

Work from anywhere

Flexible paid time off

Flexible working hours

16 weeks paid parental leave

Mental health support

Stock options

Learning budget

Home office budget & IT equipment

Budget for local social events

Qualifications

• In-house payroll management or equivalent experience leading UAE payroll processing.
• Hands-on experience with DMCC, MOL, or WPS workflows.
• Understanding of asynchronous work principles.

Responsibilities

• Act as a subject matter expert for UAE payroll.
• Process full payroll cycle, including statutory filings and compliance.
• Mentor and support payroll team members.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Problem-solving skills

Fluent English communication

Payroll best practices

Tools

SAP

Excel

Google Sheets

Job description

About Remote

Remote is solving modern organizations' biggest challenge: navigating global employment compliantly with ease. We enable businesses of all sizes to recruit, pay, and manage international teams. With our core values and future-focused work culture, our team works asynchronously around the world, with Remote team members on six continents (Antarctica included!). All positions are fully remote.

We encourage every Remote team member to bring their talents, experiences, and culture to help us build a best-in-class HR platform. If you are energetic, curious, motivated, and ambitious, be part of our world. Apply now and help define the future of work!

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. You will own end-to-end payroll processing, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency, while managing key stakeholder relationships across Finance, Product, and Engineering. You will also drive process improvements, mentor payroll specialists, and contribute to continuous payroll optimization in a fast-paced international environment.

What you bring

• In-house payroll management or equivalent experience leading UAE payroll processing.
• Hands-on experience with DMCC, MOL, or WPS workflows.
• Knowledge of payroll best practices.
• Proficiency in software tools like SAP, Excel, or Google Sheets.
• Analytical mindset with strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to adapt to a fast-paced international environment with a passion for impact.
• Productivity-oriented mindset, constantly seeking process improvements.
• Understanding of asynchronous work principles.
• Fluent English communication skills.
• Remote work experience is a plus but not required.

Key responsibilities

• Act as a subject matter expert for UAE payroll.
• Manage relationships with stakeholders in Payroll, Implementation, Finance, Product, and Engineering.
• Process full payroll cycle, including statutory filings, exceptions, approvals, payments, and compliance.
• Ensure compliance with DMCC, MOL, or WPS requirements, including reporting standards.
• Maintain data integrity and quality.
• Handle accounting and reconciliations.
• Focus on KPIs and SLAs.
• Implement and improve payroll processes.
• Mentor and support payroll team members.
• Back up regional managers as needed.

Practical details

• Reporting to: Manager, Global Payroll Operations
• Team: Payroll
• Location: EMEA
• Start date: As soon as possible

Remote Compensation Philosophy

Our Total Rewards philosophy ensures fair, unbiased compensation and equitable pay, along with competitive benefits. We pay above in-location rates to support global talent-hiring and local wealth creation, especially in developing countries. Salary bands are broad, reflecting geographic pay differentials aligned with our global strategy. The base salary for this role ranges from $33,300 to $74,850 USD, depending on various factors such as location, skills, experience, and market conditions.

Application process

1. Interview with Recruiter
2. Interview with Manager, Payroll Operations
3. Interview with Hiring Manager
4. Interview with Senior Manager
5. Bar Raiser Interview

Benefits

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

Work-life balance

Our asynchronous work model allows you to plan your schedule around your life. You are encouraged to take ownership, be proactive, and prioritize your well-being and family needs.

How to apply

• Fill out the application form and upload your CV in PDF format.
• Applications and CVs should be in English.
• If you lack an updated CV, you can submit your LinkedIn profile instead.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage a sense of belonging. We have ERGs for Women, Disability, and Queer Minorities in Tech. We support accommodations during the interview process and value diversity. Please share your pronouns if comfortable, and consider completing our anonymous demographic questionnaire.

At Remote, we embrace AI as a tool to enhance human creativity and look forward to your application. We accept applications on an ongoing basis.

Required Experience

Unclear Seniority