C&B and Payroll Manager

About the role

This role sits at the center of compensation, benefits, and payroll for the Middle East region. You will act as an individual contributor overseeing monthly payroll activities across all countries in scope, managing the external payroll provider, and ensuring every run is completed accurately and in line with compliance requirements. In parallel, you will partner closely with HR Business Partners and the HR Director to shape, refine, and follow through on the regional compensation and benefits approach so it remains aligned with group direction and helps strengthen the employer brand in the region.

The position also requires strong HR data governance, careful budget and compliance monitoring, and regular collaboration with Finance, Recruitment, HR Administration, and regional/group stakeholders.

Compensation and benefits

• Provide guidance to the HR Director and HR Business Partners on pay decisions connected to hiring, promotions, and mobility, using both internal and market reference points.
• Run targeted market studies and contribute to external compensation surveys.
• Prepare the annual salary review workflow in the HRIS and make sure the process runs smoothly, including summary presentations.
• Design, manage, and update benefit programs across the region in line with group standards, including insurance, company cars, and share-related plans.
• Work with Finance to ensure pension contributions and end-of-service calculations are processed correctly.
• Keep up to date with market movements and legal developments that affect compensation and benefits across the region.
• Help managers, HR teams, and employees understand pay policies and remuneration components clearly.
• Work with the Recruitment Manager on internal mobility cases and help define suitable pay and mobility packages.

Payroll

• Own payroll preparation, verification, and processing for employees across the region, covering the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain.
• Coordinate with Finance on payroll reconciliations and payroll cost provisioning.
• Handle questions and requests from external bodies such as tax authorities, social security authorities, and auditors.
• Prepare and consolidate annual salary review files according to group budget rules and deadlines.
• Ensure every employee receives a monthly payslip that clearly explains all payroll components.
• Support Retail Excellence in building competitive commission structures and manage the monthly calculation and payroll posting of commission results.
• Continuously improve payroll processes and keep them compliant with changes in regional labour law.

HR data management

• Track headcount, update social data, and maintain reliable reporting in line with group guidelines.
• Coordinate campaigns for headcount budget approvals based on business performance and in partnership with Finance.
• Prepare for audits with HR and Finance whenever needed.
• Make sure roles in scope are correctly connected to the job catalogue within the HRIS and review this data regularly.
• Spot gaps or improvement areas in the job catalogue and suggest enhancements to the Group C&B team.

Budget, compliance, and projects

• Work with the HR Director and HR Business Partners to build, maintain, and monitor a detailed regional HR cost budget that reflects the C&B strategy.
• Partner with Finance on routine budget tracking.
• Support the HR Admin Manager with annual CSRD reporting by providing all relevant HR data.
• Take an active role in the C&B community across Europe and the Middle East and within the wider group.
• Represent the Middle East region in group-led projects and ensure successful local implementation.
• Work with HR leadership on vendor selection and rollout for the payroll and leave management automation project planned for 2026 and 2027.
• Contribute to upcoming projects as needed.

Measures of success

• Payroll and all C&B activities are delivered on time and within regional and group timelines.
• You demonstrate strong analytical thinking and a solid grasp of compensation and benefits principles and regional practices.
• You can prioritise effectively in a busy, multi-tasking environment.
• You show strong stakeholder management and influencing ability.
• You combine business acumen with commercial awareness.
• You bring sound problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• You work with emotional intelligence and maintain strict confidentiality.

Experience and qualifications

A bachelor’s degree, preferably in human resources or a related area, is advantageous. The role requires proven experience managing payroll in the Middle East, along with strong knowledge of local employment laws, regulations, and best practices. You should be highly proficient in MS Office, especially Excel, and have hands-on experience with benchmarking exercises, job classification, and compensation and benefits projects. Strong English communication skills, both written and spoken, are essential, as are excellent interpersonal and communication abilities and the ability to handle sensitive information with absolute discretion.

About the company

Hermès is an independent French house founded in 1837 and known for creating, crafting, and selling high-quality objects. With nearly 25,185 employees worldwide, the company values entrepreneurial spirit, high standards, responsible management, and the autonomy of each person. Its heritage is carried forward through deep craftsmanship, strong local roots, and a broad global retail presence of more than 300 stores.