Section Manager - Compensation & Benefits and Employee Relations

Overview

The Section Manager position for Compensation & Benefits and Employee Relations is a leadership role within the Human Resources department, reporting directly to the HR Director or Head of HR. This role encompasses overseeing compensation strategies, employee relations, organizational development efforts, and related HR functions to align with company goals and regulatory requirements.

Primary Duties

• Formulate and continuously refine the organization's compensation and benefits frameworks.
• Conduct salary benchmarking and surveys to maintain competitive pay scales.
• Oversee annual salary management including reviews, promotions, bonuses, and incentive programs.
• Scrutinize payroll expenses with an eye toward cost efficiency.
• Generate and present detailed compensation analytics and financial reports to leadership.
• Manage employee relations including disciplinary procedures, grievances, investigations, and conflict resolution in compliance with UAE labor regulations.
• Foster positive work environments that promote engagement and strong employer-employee relations.
• Assist management in resolving complex employee issues and performance matters.
• Support organizational change initiatives such as restructuring, workforce planning, and succession planning.
• Implement and lead job evaluation exercises and maintain grading scales and salary bands aligned with organizational needs.
• Develop and update HR policies ensuring alignment with UAE laws and internal governance.
• Prepare workforce cost forecasts and HR key performance indicator analyses, leveraging advanced Excel skills for reporting and financial modeling.
• Lead the HR team through mentoring and development, collaborating closely with finance and department heads.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or related discipline; a Master's degree or MBA is advantageous.
• Professional HR certifications, such as CIPD, SHRM, HRCI, GRP, or CCP, are beneficial.
• A minimum of 8 to 12 years of progressive experience in HR, including 4 to 5 years in a leadership capacity.
• Demonstrated expertise in compensation and benefits, employee relations, organizational development, job evaluation, and HR policy management.
• Familiarity or experience within the UAE Government or semi-government entities is highly regarded.

Technical Proficiency

Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel including pivot tables, Power Query, Power Pivot, complex formulas, dashboards, and financial modeling is required.