Manager Rewards and Policies

Role overview

This position leads the organization’s pay, benefits, and broader rewards agenda. The Manager – Rewards & Policies will shape compensation frameworks that stay competitive in the market, preserve internal fairness, and align with UAE as well as international regulatory requirements. The role also plays a key part in workforce budgeting, analytics, policy design, organizational change, and support for mergers and acquisitions.

Core responsibilities

• Carry out market pay comparisons, analyze compensation trends, and perform job slotting to keep salary structures competitive.
• Oversee job evaluation, grading systems, and career framework design using established approaches such as Korn Ferry Hay and Mercer.
• Create, maintain, and administer salary bands, merit cycles, incentive plans, executive rewards, and benefits programs.
• Draft and update compensation and benefits policies while ensuring they meet labor law requirements and governance expectations.
• Support workforce planning by building compensation budgets, forecasts, and cost analyses.
• Prepare compensation reports, dashboards, and analytics using HR systems and advanced Excel tools.
• Work closely with HR Business Partners and business leaders to provide rewards guidance and handle pay-related queries or issues.
• Lead compensation review, harmonization, and due diligence work during mergers, acquisitions, and restructuring exercises.
• Develop and implement reward initiatives that strengthen attraction, retention, employee engagement, and business growth.

Qualifications and experience

• A bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a closely related field is required.
• The role calls for 12 to 15 years of experience in Compensation & Benefits or Total Rewards, ideally in large and complex organizations.
• Professional credentials such as CCP, GRP, or an equivalent certification will be considered an advantage.
• Prior exposure to defense, manufacturing, technology, or similar sectors is preferred.

Skills and capabilities

• Strong command of compensation benchmarking, job evaluation, grading structures, and rewards design.
• Advanced analytical ability, including strong Excel skills and familiarity with HRMS platforms such as SAP or Oracle.
• Working knowledge of UAE and international employment laws related to pay and benefits.
• Excellent ability to manage stakeholders, communicate clearly, plan strategically, and run projects effectively.

Additional information

This is a full-time, on-site role based in Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates.