Payroll Implementation Manager - UAE

Role Summary As the Payroll Implementation Manager – UAE, you will serve as the payroll subject matter expert (SME) for all UAE payroll implementations. Working alongside a dedicated Payroll Project Manager, who owns overall project governance, timelines and delivery, you will lead all country-specific payroll activities from discovery through go-live. You will ensure every implementation is compliant with UAE legislation, aligned to best practice, and delivered to the highest quality. You will be recognised as the internal authority for UAE payroll, providing expert guidance to Customers, Sales, Product, Engineering and Payroll Operations. This role requires a minimum of 10 years' experience managing UAE payroll, extensive hands-on experience with UAE payroll software, and fluency in Arabic and English. Key Responsibilities • Act as the recognised SME for UAE payroll implementations. • Lead payroll discovery workshops and advise Customers on legislation and best practice. • Challenge inefficient legacy processes and recommend scalable, compliant solutions. • Work with Product and Engineering to validate payroll configuration. • Lead payroll testing, parallel runs and payroll validation. • Support Payroll Project Managers with go-live readiness and first payroll. • Advise Sales and Presales on UAE payroll requirements. • Identify legislative risks and implementation dependencies. • Contribute to product enhancements and implementation methodology. • Own UAE implementation playbooks, documentation and knowledge sharing. Skills & Experience Essential: • Minimum 10 years' experience processing and implementing UAE payroll. • Extensive experience operating UAE payroll in-house. • Expert knowledge of UAE payroll legislation, tax, social insurance and statutory reporting. • Extensive experience with leading UAE payroll engines (ideally GreyTHR ) • Strong stakeholder management and customer consulting skills. • Excellent analytical and communication skills. Country Requirements: • Must be based in UAE. • Must have the legal right to work in UAE. • Must be fluent in Arabic and English, (written and spoken). • Must have hands-on implementation and operational experience with UAE payroll software. Success Measures • Successful and compliant UAE payroll implementations. • Accurate first payroll outcomes. • High customer satisfaction. • Strong collaboration with Payroll Project Managers. • Continuous improvement of implementation standards and documentation. • Identification of process and product improvements.