Payroll Specialist Lead - United Arab Emirates

Position Overview

• Location Type: Remote (EMEA)
• Job Type: Full-time
• Salary: $33,300 - $74,850 USD

Remote is a company dedicated to simplifying global employment compliance for modern organizations. We enable businesses of all sizes to recruit, pay, and manage international teams. Our team operates asynchronously across six continents, driven by core values and a future-focused work culture. We encourage diverse talents and experiences to contribute to our best-in-class HR platform.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to join Remote as a Payroll Specialist Lead, specifically focusing on payroll operations in the United Arab Emirates. You will be responsible for the entire payroll process, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency, while collaborating with stakeholders in Finance, Product, and Engineering. This position also involves driving process improvements, mentoring payroll specialists, and optimizing payroll operations in a dynamic, international setting.

Requirements

• In-house payroll management experience or equivalent, leading the full end-to-end processing of UAE payroll.
• Hands-on experience with DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre), MOL (Ministry of Labour), or WPS (Wages Protection System) workflows.
• Knowledge of payroll best practices.
• Proficiency in software tools such as SAP, Excel, or Google Sheets.
• An analytical mindset with strong problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to adapt to a fast-paced, international work environment with a passion for making an impact.
• A proactive approach to identifying and implementing process improvements.
• Understanding of and ability to work largely asynchronously.
• Fluent in English (written and spoken).
• Previous remote work experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Act as a subject matter expert for UAE payroll.
• Manage relationships with key stakeholders in Payroll Implementation, Finance, Product, and Engineering.
• Process full end-to-end payroll, including statutory filing, exception handling, approvals, payments, and compliance.
• Ensure payroll operations adhere to DMCC, MOL, or WPS requirements, including related reporting and processing standards.
• Maintain full data integrity and quality.
• Perform accounting and reconciliations.
• Focus on achieving KPIs and SLAs.
• Implement and improve payroll processes.
• Mentor and support other payroll specialists.
• Provide backup support to regional managers during absences.

Practicals

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

Remote Compensation Philosophy

Remote's Total Rewards philosophy emphasizes fair, unbiased compensation and equitable pay, along with competitive benefits across all operating locations. We are committed to paying above in-location rates to support global talent and contribute to local economies. Our salary bands are wide due to our international operations and globally distributed workforce, utilizing geo ranges to maintain market competitiveness while hiring globally.