Payroll Specialist

Job Title – Payroll Specialist
Location: Dubai, UAE

About the Role

We are seeking a detail-oriented and highly organized Payroll Specialist to manage end-to-end payroll operations, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time while maintaining compliance with UAE labor laws and company policies. The role is responsible for payroll processing, statutory compliance, employee records management, and payroll reporting. Experience within the food & beverage, restaurant, hospitality, or retail industry is highly preferred.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Processing

• Process monthly payroll for employees across multiple departments and locations.
• Ensure accurate calculation of salaries, overtime, allowances, incentives, commissions, bonuses, and deductions.
• Validate payroll inputs including attendance, leave, timesheets, and shift records.
• Process final settlements, gratuity calculations, and end-of-service benefits in accordance with UAE Labour Law.

Payroll Administration

• Maintain accurate employee payroll records and master data.
• Update payroll information for new hires, promotions, salary revisions, transfers, and terminations.
• Ensure payroll transactions are properly documented and approved.
• Coordinate payroll schedules and ensure timely salary disbursement.

Compliance & Statutory Requirements

• Ensure payroll processes comply with UAE Labour Law, company policies, and internal controls.
• Support compliance with the Wage Protection System (WPS) and other statutory payroll requirements.
• Maintain confidentiality of payroll and employee information.
• Prepare payroll documentation required for audits and regulatory reviews.

Time & Attendance Management

• Review attendance records, leave balances, shift schedules, and overtime reports.
• Coordinate with HR and department managers to resolve attendance and payroll discrepancies.
• Maintain accurate leave and attendance records within the HR/payroll system.
• Verify employee working hours and ensure compliance with company policies.

Payroll Reporting & Analysis

• Prepare monthly payroll reports, reconciliation statements, and management summaries.
• Generate payroll cost reports and support budgeting and workforce planning activities.
• Analyze payroll variances and resolve discrepancies promptly.
• Support finance during month-end closing by providing payroll-related reports.

Employee Support

• Respond to employee payroll-related inquiries professionally and promptly.
• Explain salary calculations, deductions, benefits, and payroll policies.
• Assist employees with payroll documentation, salary certificates, and bank-related requests.
• Ensure a high level of payroll accuracy and employee satisfaction.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Maintain payroll data within ERP and HRIS systems.
• Recommend improvements to payroll processes and internal controls.
• Support payroll system upgrades, testing, and implementation projects.
• Ensure payroll documentation is maintained in accordance with company record retention policies.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Professional certification in Payroll, HR, or Finance is an advantage.
• 3–6 years of experience in payroll administration or payroll accounting.
• Experience processing payroll within the food & beverage, restaurant, hospitality, retail, or multi-site business environment is highly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of UAE Labour Law, payroll regulations, WPS, gratuity calculations, and payroll best practices.

Key Skills & Competencies

• End-to-end payroll processing
• Payroll reconciliation and reporting
• UAE Labour Law and WPS compliance
• Time and attendance management
• End-of-service benefit and gratuity calculations
• Payroll systems, ERP, and HRIS proficiency
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
• Attention to detail and numerical accuracy
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Confidentiality, communication, and organizational skills

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package
• Opportunity to work with a leading organization in the food and restaurant industry
• Professional and collaborative work environment
• Career growth and continuous learning opportunities
• Exposure to high-volume payroll operations across multiple business units

Apply now!