Senior Specialist - Payroll & Engagement

Job Purpose

1. Payroll Management

• Manage the end-to-end monthly payroll cycle for all e7 Group entities, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant disbursement of salaries, allowances, overtime, bonuses, and final settlements.
• Ensure full compliance with the UAE Wages Protection System (WPS), labor law, and internal HR policies, including timely submission of SIF files and bank coordination.
• Process and validate payroll inputs including new joiners, leavers, salary revisions, promotions, leave encashments, deductions, and reimbursements in coordination with HR Operations and HRBPs.
• Manage end-of-service benefits (EOSB), gratuity calculations, and final settlements in line with UAE labor law and Group policy.
• Oversee payroll-related accruals, journal entries, and reconciliations in coordination with the Finance team, ensuring accurate reporting and audit readiness.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee payroll queries, providing timely, accurate, and professional resolution.

2. Compliance, Controls & Audit

• Ensure payroll processes are executed in line with internal controls, SOX requirements (where applicable), and audit standards, maintaining complete and traceable documentation.
• Support internal and external audits by providing accurate payroll data, reconciliations, and supporting evidence.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of UAE labor law, taxation (including UAE Corporate Tax implications on payroll where relevant), social security (e.g., GPSSA / ADRPBF for UAE Nationals), and pension contributions.
• Continuously review payroll controls and recommend enhancements to mitigate risks and strengthen governance.

3. Employee Engagement

• Support the design, planning, and execution of e7 Group's employee engagement strategy and calendar, including engagement surveys, recognition programs, town halls, wellness initiatives, and cultural celebrations.
• Coordinate the rollout of the annual employee engagement survey, analyze results, and support the development of action plans in partnership with HRBPs and business leaders.
• Drive employee recognition programs (e.g., long service awards, spot recognition, performance-linked rewards) ensuring consistent and meaningful execution across the Group.
• Plan and execute Group-wide engagement events including national day celebrations, Ramadan initiatives, family days, and CSR activities, in alignment with e7 Group's values and culture.
• Partner with internal communications to craft engaging employee communications that reinforce culture, recognition, and the EVP.

4. HRIS, Reporting & Analytics

• Maintain accurate payroll and employee data within the Group's HRIS (e.g., SuccessFactors, Oracle, SAP, or equivalent), ensuring data integrity and timely updates.
• Generate payroll, cost, and engagement reports and dashboards for CHRO and leadership review, including manpower cost analysis, overtime trends, and engagement KPIs.
• Support workforce cost analysis, budgeting cycles, and headcount reporting in collaboration with Finance and HRBPs.
• Identify and recommend automation and process improvement opportunities across payroll and engagement workflows.

5. Stakeholder Engagement & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Finance, HR Business Partners, Talent Acquisition, and Learning & Development to ensure seamless employee lifecycle execution from onboarding to offboarding.
• Liaise with external stakeholders including banks, payroll vendors, insurance providers, GPSSA, and government entities as required.
• Act as a trusted advisor to employees and managers on payroll, benefits, and engagement-related matters, ensuring a positive employee experience.

6. Emiratization & People Priorities Alignment

• Support the accurate tracking and reporting of Emiratization-linked payroll obligations, including GPSSA contributions and Nafis-related entitlements.
• Contribute to engagement initiatives that strengthen the experience and retention of UAE National employees across e7 Group.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a related discipline.
• 5–7 years of relevant experience in Payroll, HR Operations, and/or Employee Engagement, preferably within a group or multi-entity structure in the UAE or GCC.
• CIPD, SHRM-CP/SCP, Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), or equivalent HR/payroll certification is an advantage.