Payroll Specialist Lead - UAE

Position Overview

Remote is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Payroll Specialist Lead to join our global Payroll team. This role will be based in the EMEA region and will focus on managing and executing payroll operations specifically for the United Arab Emirates (UAE). You will be instrumental in ensuring the accuracy, compliance, and efficiency of our UAE payroll processes, while also contributing to process improvements and mentoring junior team members.

About Remote

Remote is dedicated to simplifying global employment compliance for modern organizations. We empower businesses of all sizes to recruit, pay, and manage international teams seamlessly. Our core values and future-focused work culture drive our team to tackle ambitious challenges asynchronously from across the globe. With Remoters on six continents, our positions are fully remote. We value diversity of talent, experience, and culture, encouraging every team member to contribute to building a best-in-class HR platform. If you are energetic, curious, motivated, and ambitious, join us and help define the future of work!

What this job can offer you

This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of end-to-end payroll processing for the UAE. You will manage key stakeholder relationships across Finance, Product, and Engineering, drive process improvements, mentor payroll specialists, and contribute to the continuous optimization of payroll operations in a fast-paced, international environment.

Requirements

• Experience: In-house payroll management or equivalent experience leading the full end-to-end processing of UAE payroll.
• UAE Payroll Knowledge: Hands-on experience with DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre), MOL (Ministry of Labour), or WPS (Wages Protection System) workflows.
• Best Practices: Solid understanding of payroll best practices.
• Software Proficiency: Proficient in using software tools such as SAP, Excel, and Google Sheets.
• Analytical Skills: An analytical mindset with strong problem-solving abilities.
• Adaptability: Ability to adapt to a fast-paced, international work environment with a passion for making an impact.
• Efficiency: A productivity-oriented mindset, constantly seeking ways to improve and accelerate work.
• Asynchronous Work: Understanding of the need and ideal for largely asynchronous work.
• Language: Fluent in written and spoken English.
• Remote Work: Experience working remotely is a plus, but not required.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject matter expert for UAE payroll.
• Manage and maintain relationships with key stakeholders in Payroll Implementation, Finance, Product, and Engineering.
• Process full end-to-end payroll in-house, including statutory filing, exception handling, approvals, payments, and compliance.
• Ensure payroll operations are fully compliant with DMCC, MOL, or WPS requirements, including all related reporting and processing standards.
• Maintain data integrity and quality throughout the payroll process.
• Perform accounting and reconciliation tasks.
• Focus on meeting Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
• Implement and improve payroll processes.
• Mentor and support other payroll specialists.
• Provide backup support to regional managers during their absence.

Practicals

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

Compensation Philosophy

Remote's Total Rewards philosophy is committed to ensuring fair, unbiased compensation and equitable pay, along with competitive benefits across all our operating locations. We do not endorse or encourage cheap-labor practices and are dedicated to paying above in-location rates. We aim to inspire other companies to embrace global talent hiring and contribute to local economic development in developing countries.

Our salary bands may appear wide due to our international operations and globally distributed workforce. We utilize geo ranges to account for geographic pay differentials, ensuring competitiveness in various markets while hiring globally.

The base salary range for this full-time position is $33,300 to $74,850 USD. Salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Job titles may encompass multiple career levels. The actual base pay for the selected candidate will depend on various factors.