Compliance and payroll manager

Compliance and payroll manager - Dubai About Socium Socium is a fast-scaling UAE-based staffing and Teams as a Service (TaaS) business with a delivery centre in Manila. We work with leading technology organisations across the region to place exceptional locally based and offshore contract talent - from engineering and data to cyber security, cloud infrastructure, and financial services. As we grow, our compliance and payroll infrastructure needs to grow with us: rigorously, intelligently, and at pace. The Opportunity This is a pivotal hire. As Compliance Manager you will own everything that keeps Socium — and the contractors we place — on the right side of UAE commercial, labour, and contractual regulation. You will inherit a business that moves quickly, and your job is to build the processes, technology stack, and governance frameworks that let us move quickly without risk. You will be the person that leadership, clients, and candidates trust to know the rules — and to have already thought three steps ahead. Key Responsibilities Contract & Commercial Compliance Own the end-to-end lifecycle of contractor and client contracts — drafting, negotiation support, execution, storage, and renewal tracking. Maintain and continuously improve master service agreements, statements of work, contractor assignment agreements, and supplier frameworks. Ensure all hires are compliant with UAE law. Managing external relationships with various service providers Identify and mitigate contractual risk before it reaches leadership — rate changes, liability caps, payment liabilites etc Process Design & Operational Excellence Design, document, and embed repeatable compliance processes across onboarding, contractor management, off-boarding, and audit readiness. Build and maintain a compliance calendar covering all regulatory filing dates, licence renewals, and reporting obligations. Lead internal audits and gap assessments; produce clear action plans and follow through to closure. Champion a culture of compliance-by-design — working with sales, delivery, and finance teams to bake governance into everyday workflows rather than bolting it on. Regulatory & Licensing Manage and maintain all UAE business licences, MOHRE registrations, and free zone compliance obligations. Monitor UAE regulatory updates — employment law, data protection (PDPL), and recruitment sector-specific regulations — and communicate impacts internally. Support visa and work permit processes for placed contractors in partnership with the delivery team. Act as first point of contact for compliance and payroll queries from clients, contractors, and external bodies. Stakeholder Management Build trusted relationships with co-founders, commercial leads, delivery managers, and external legal counsel. Communicate compliance requirements clearly and without jargon to internal teams who are not compliance specialists. Represent Socium's compliance position confidently in client and contractor conversations, building confidence that we operate to the highest standards. What We're Looking For Essential 3–5 years' HR compliance and payroll experience within staff augmentation, contracting or equivalent staffing agency — this is non-negotiable. Demonstrable track record of designing and embedding repeatable compliance processes that scaled with a growing business. Proven ability to select and implement compliance and contract management technology — you have done this before and can show the outcomes. Experience managing stakeholders at all levels: founders, commercial teams, contractors, clients, and regulatory bodies. Solid working knowledge of UAE commercial and employment law Bachelor's degree in from a European institution. Experience working within an international business — you are comfortable navigating multi-jurisdiction complexity and cross-cultural working environments. Preferred Prior experience in a scale-up or high-growth environment where you have had to build rather than inherit. The Person We are looking for someone who thrives in a fast-moving commercial environment and understands that compliance done well is a business enabler, not a blocker. You will be self-directed and highly organised, comfortable writing the playbook rather than following one, and credible enough to push back on senior stakeholders when the risk warrants it. You take pride in the detail and communicate it with clarity. What We Offer A highly visible role with direct access to the co-founders/MD’s and real influence over how the business operates. Competitive tax-free salary commensurate with experience. The opportunity to build and own a compliance function from the ground up in one of the world's most dynamic business hubs. A fast-paced, entrepreneurial culture where initiative is rewarded and bureaucracy is minimal. Visa sponsorship and relocation support for the right candidate.