Rewards Specialist

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Reward Specialist is responsible for designing, implementing, and managing competitive compensation and benefits structures, insurance, monitoring staff costs, and managing manpower budgets. The role also includes developing and maintaining HR policies across multiple countries and using data analytics tools such as Power BI to provide actionable workforce and staff cost insights.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Reward and Compensation Management:

• Design and maintain compensation frameworks, salary structures, and incentive schemes that support business strategy and remain competitive in the market.


• Lead or support annual compensation reviews, bonus planning, and salary benchmarking.


• Conduct market research to evaluate external competitiveness and ensure internal equity.


• Advise on executive compensation, long-term incentives, and recognition programs.


• Develop formal and informal recognition programs that reinforce company values and culture while implementing platforms for peer-to-peer recognition and real-time feedback.


• Serve as a member of the Khazna JE Committee, conduct job evaluations to ensure internal equity and external competitiveness, and maintain governance over grading and role levelling.


• Collaborate with Talent, OD, Business teams, and Line Managers to design and implement reward initiatives that support employee engagement, retention, and performance.

Staff Cost and Manpower Budgeting:

• Prepare, monitor, and manage the annual staff cost and manpower budget in collaboration with Finance teams.


• Provide monthly and quarterly staff cost run-rate and variance analysis on headcount and costs including employee cost and other HR cost items.


• Support workforce planning initiatives to optimize cost and efficiency.

HR Policies, Processes and Compliance (Multi-Country):

• Develop, implement, and maintain HR policies and procedures across multiple countries, ensuring consistency and compliance with local labor laws and global standards.


• Monitor legal and regulatory changes in various jurisdictions and recommend policy updates accordingly.


• Partners with in-country HR leads and external legal and tax advisors to adapt policies where necessary.


• Develop and regularly review processes to ensure they remain current and effective.

Analytics and Reporting:

• Leverage Power BI and Excel to create dashboards, reports, and data visualizations that track key reward and HR metrics.


• Conduct scenario modeling and simulations for compensation planning, staffing costs, and policy impacts.


• Provide strategic insights and recommendations to leadership based on data trends.


• Benchmark insurance offers against industry standards and competitors to ensure competitiveness and stay updated on trends in healthcare and insurance to recommend innovative or value-added services.

Governance and Risk Management:

• Ensure all compensation practices comply with applicable laws and audit requirements.


• Support internal and external audits related to compensation, benefits, and policy governance.

Stakeholder Engagement and Advisory:

• Serve as a trusted advisor to HR Business Partners and leaders on all matters related to reward, policy, and workforce costs.


• Support training and communication efforts to ensure business leaders and employees understand HR policies and reward structures


• Define selection criteria (e.g., coverage, network size, claim process, cost), assess provider performance (based on SLA, claim TAT and employee satisfaction) and participate in RFP processes, evaluating proposals from insurers.

Policies, Systems, Processes & Procedures

• Follow all relevant departmental policies, processes, standard operating procedures, and instructions so that work is carried out in a controlled and consistent manner.

Continuous Improvement

• Contributes to the identification of opportunities for continuous improvement and sustainability of systems, processes and practices considering global standards, productivity improvement and cost reduction.


• Monitor insurance utilisation trends and claims data to identify areas of improvement and support in wellness initiatives to manage costs and control loss ratio.

Reporting

• Assist in the preparation of timely and accurate statements and reports to meet department requirements, policies, and quality standards.

Quality, Health, Safety & Environment

• Comply with all relevant safety, quality and environmental management policies, procedures, and controls to ensure a healthy and safe work environment.

Related Assignments

• The job holder may be required to undertake additional duties, which may be reasonably expected and forms part of the function of the job. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, or a related field.


• Professional certifications such as CCP, CIPD, or equivalent in rewards/HR.


• Experience in HR policy development across Middle East, Asia, or Europe regions.

Minimum Experience:

• Minimum 5 years experience in compensation & benefits, HR policy management, or reward management.


• Experience working in a multinational or multi-country HR environment.


• Proven track record in staff budgeting and data analysis


• Good understanding of UAE labour law

Job-Specific Skills (Generic / Technical):

Technical Proficiency: 

• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel and Power BI.


• Familiarity with HR systems such as SAP SuccessFactors, Workday, or Oracle HCM.