Senior HR Operations Specialist: Payroll & Onboarding

Cigna; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 167,000 - 234,000; Full time

Job summary

The Cigna Group in the United Arab Emirates seeks an experienced HR Operations/Payroll Specialist to deliver accurate payroll, onboarding, offboarding, and compensation administration. You will manage HRIS data, generate reports, and ensure compliance with UAE Labour Law across the employee lifecycle.

Key duties include end-to-end payroll processing, benefits enrollment, and liaison with Finance and IT for successful onboarding and offboarding, while maintaining data integrity and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in Compensation & Benefits, HR Operations, Payroll Administration, or a similar role.
• Strong knowledge of UAE payroll practices, employee lifecycle management, and labour legislation.
• Hands-on experience using HRIS, payroll systems, and workforce management platforms, preferably Workday.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and HR data reporting.
• Strong attention to detail, analytical skills, and the ability to manage confidential information with discretion.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage the monthly end-to-end payroll process and validate payroll inputs.
• Process overtime payments, allowances, deductions, and final settlements per policies and UAE law.
• Coordinate with Finance to resolve payroll discrepancies and queries.
• Maintain payroll records with confidentiality and accuracy.
• Coordinate onboarding activities and validate employee documentation and master data.
• Facilitate payroll and benefits enrollment and ensure timely updates.
• Manage resignation and termination processes per UAE labour regulations.
• Coordinate offboarding activities including documentation and system access closures.
• Process salary revisions, promotions, bonuses, and other changes.
• Maintain HR data in HRIS, generate HR reports, and ensure data accuracy.
• Support HR system enhancements and digital HR initiatives, including Workday.
• Assist audits with accurate documentation and records.
• Ensure compliance with UAE Labour Law and HR procedures.
• Provide first-line support on payroll and benefits inquiries.

Skills

Payroll Administration

HR Operations

Workday

HRIS

Excel

Data reporting

UAE Labour Law

Stakeholder management

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/BA/Finance

Tools

Workday

HRIS

Job description

The Cigna Group in the United Arab Emirates seeks an experienced HR Operations/Payroll Specialist to deliver accurate payroll, onboarding, offboarding, and compensation administration. You will manage HRIS data, generate reports, and ensure compliance with UAE Labour Law across the employee lifecycle.

Key duties include end-to-end payroll processing, benefits enrollment, and liaison with Finance and IT for successful onboarding and offboarding, while maintaining data integrity and