Payroll And HR Executive

Cognita is currently recruiting for a Payroll & HR Executive to join the team.

About Cognita:

Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 100+ schools in 16 countries - in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East - serving more than 85,000 students. Each of our schools are proudly unique, however our collective purpose is to create an environment where everyone can, ‘Thrive in a rapidly evolving world’.

At Cognita, we know every student is unique. We nurture their distinct personalities and strengths. We support them academically, socially, and emotionally, wherever they are in the world, wherever they’re starting from. We protect what’s special about them, while offering them rich knowledge, opportunities, and best practices. And they get to be part of something bigger; ensuring they get an education that’s, quite literally, world class.

Role Profile

The HR & Payroll Executive is responsible for managing and coordinating manpower planning and payroll processes across multiple entities. The role ensures the maintenance of accurate data, effective cost monitoring, compliance with budgetary constraints, and the provision of timely HR support to employees and management. Serving as a key link between the HR, Finance, and Commercial departments, this position ensures that all HR and payroll operations are executed efficiently, transparently, and in alignment with organisational policies and financial objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

Manpower Planning (MPP)

Regularly update the current and new Academic Year MPP to monitor and control total employment costs as per policy.

Coordinate with the Commercial Manager to ensure new positions costings align with approved budgets and staffing requirements.

Prepare and provide detailed costing analysis for all growth and replacement positions to the recruitment team on a regular basis.

Share relevant budget information with Principals, SLT and Line managers to support candidate selection within approved budgets.

Advise Principals and SLT on benefit allocation and compensation structures to maintain cost efficiency and budget alignment.

Continuously monitor MPP related costs and obtain necessary approvals from the Head of HR and Commercial Manager for any budgetary adjustments or exceptions.

Payroll Management

Review payroll inputs and supporting documentation monthly to ensure accuracy and compliance.

Enter payroll data into the Payroll system and process payroll in line with approved parameters.

Prepare and submit monthly payroll variance reports to the Finance Director – UAE for approval.

Update financial dimensions by reviewing the positions link by the HR Executives and share data with the Finance team as required.

Perform monthly payroll reconciliations against budgets in collaboration with Finance.

Email payslips following salary transfers.

Additional Responsibilities

HR Executive Functions

Maintain a consolidated HR database for EKI, RDXB, RAB, RAD, and Nurseries by collecting and verifying monthly data from HR Executives.

Generate and provide HR related reports to Management and Audit as and when required.

Ensure confidentiality of HR data across all entities.

Support the HR Executives on the policy and benefits related queries as and when required

Prepare and issue NOCs, salary certificates, and salary transfer letters as required.

Maintain and update employee files.

Prepare monthly payroll inputs.

Respond promptly to employee queries and requests.

Prepare and share monthly gratuity and annual leave balance tracker reports with Finance.

Issue action forms related to salary revisions, increments, bonuses, and allowances.

Prepare renewal contracts and follow up with employees for acknowledgment.

Coordinate staff movement under Cognita sponsorship upon visa expiry.

Manage the exit process for leaving employees, including EOS, visa, and medical insurance cancellation.

Audit Management

Prepare annual audit reports.

Collaborate with auditors by providing required data and timely responses to all queries.

Ensure all HR and payroll documentation complies with internal policy and audit standards.

Support Finance team in addressing audit queries and implementing corrective actions.

Review and verify EOS calculations and advise on any corrections needed

Required Skills & Experience:

Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills with the ability to deliver accurate and clear data with attention to detail

Ability and presence to be proactive and work on own initiative, with limited supervision, and be able to manage priorities

Ability to plan, organise and prioritise a heavy workload

IT skills: Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook skills

Knowledge of the UAE Education system and school-related processes

Experience and track record of success across school HR/ Payroll functions (crucial)

To support your application, please include your current, up-to-date CV.

The school reserves the right to interview and appoint strong candidates before the official closing date, and therefore we would encourage candidates to apply early in the process.

Cognita is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expects the same from its employees. All new staff will be subject to detailed and enhanced pre-employment clearance, including identity checks, criminal background checks for all countries lived in, qualification checks, employment checks to include an exploration of any gaps in employment, and satisfactory reference checks for all employment in the last 5 years.