Rewards Manager

Job DescriptionManager – Total RewardsLocation: Abu Dhabi, UAEDivision: PeopleDepartment: People Operations & StrategyReports to: Director – People Operations & StrategyRole Level: ManagerDirect Reports: 1Role PurposeThe Manager – Total Rewards is responsible for developing, implementing, and governing the organization's Total Rewards strategy to ensure competitive, equitable, and performance-driven compensation and benefits programs.The role oversees compensation structures, job evaluation, grading, benefits, and rewards governance while providing strategic insights to support workforce planning, talent attraction, employee retention, and organizational performance. Working closely with business leaders, HR Business Partners, and Finance, the Manager ensures Total Rewards programs remain market competitive, financially sustainable, and aligned with the organization's strategic objectives.Key ResponsibilitiesTotal Rewards StrategyDevelop and continuously enhance the organization's Total Rewards strategy in alignment with business objectives and workforce priorities.Ensure compensation and benefits programs support talent attraction, retention, engagement, and organizational performance.Provide strategic recommendations on compensation, incentives, and benefits to senior leadership.Compensation ManagementDesign, implement, and maintain salary structures, pay grades, and compensation frameworks across the organization.Lead annual compensation reviews, including merit increases, promotions, market adjustments, and salary planning.Conduct salary benchmarking using reputable market surveys to ensure external competitiveness and internal equity.Develop compensation proposals and business cases for leadership approval.Job Evaluation & Organization DesignLead job evaluation and grading processes using recognized methodologies such as HAY, Mercer, or equivalent frameworks.Ensure consistency and governance of job architecture across all business functions.Review and approve job grading recommendations.Maintain governance over job descriptions, grading structures, and organizational hierarchy.Benefits ManagementDesign, review, and continuously improve employee benefits programs, including medical insurance, retirement plans, allowances, leave benefits, wellness initiatives, and recognition programs.Evaluate benefit utilization, market competitiveness, vendor performance, and overall return on investment.Partner with external providers to negotiate competitive benefit offerings.Employee Value Proposition (EVP)Partner with Talent Acquisition, HR Business Partners, and Corporate Communications to develop and enhance the organization's Employee Value Proposition.Ensure Total Rewards programs effectively support employer branding and employee engagement initiatives.Analytics & Workforce InsightsDevelop dashboards and executive reports covering compensation trends, pay equity, turnover costs, benefits utilization, and workforce analytics.Perform financial modelling, forecasting, and scenario analysis to support workforce planning and budgeting.Provide data-driven recommendations to leadership on Total Rewards strategy.Governance, Compliance & RiskDevelop, maintain, and govern Total Rewards policies, procedures, and guidelines.Ensure compliance with UAE Labour Law, internal governance standards, and regulatory requirements.Lead internal and external audits related to compensation, payroll governance, benefits, and rewards.Maintain robust controls to ensure consistent and compliant application of Total Rewards policies.Stakeholder ManagementAct as the subject matter expert on Total Rewards, advising HR Business Partners, Finance, and business leaders on compensation, grading, and benefits matters.Build trusted relationships across the organization to support business decision-making and organizational transformation.LeadershipLead, coach, and develop the Total Rewards team.Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and customer-focused service delivery.Drive innovation and process improvements within the Total Rewards function.Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)Completion of annual salary benchmarking exercisesSuccessful delivery of annual compensation review cycleJob evaluation turnaround time (SLA)Employee benefits utilization and satisfactionTotal Rewards data accuracyPolicy compliance and audit outcomesMarket competitiveness of compensation structuresBudget adherence for Total Rewards programsEmployee Value Proposition initiatives deliveredQualificationsBachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related discipline.CIPD Level 5 or Level 7, GRP (Global Remuneration Professional), or equivalent Total Rewards certification is preferred.Experience8–12 years of progressive experience in Total Rewards, Compensation & Benefits, or Rewards Strategy.Strong experience in job evaluation, salary benchmarking, grading frameworks, and benefits design.Experience leading annual compensation review cycles within large, complex organizations.Strong knowledge of compensation governance, workforce analytics, and Total Rewards strategy.Experience using HRIS platforms such as SAP, Oracle, or SuccessFactors.Experience within industrial, manufacturing, energy, or similarly complex organizations is preferred.Leadership CompetenciesStrategic ThinkingLeading Change & Continuous ImprovementBuilding Relationships & CollaborationInfluencing & Stakeholder ManagementAccountability & Decision MakingEmotional IntelligenceBusiness AcumenResults OrientationFunctional CompetenciesTotal Rewards StrategyCompensation & BenefitsSalary BenchmarkingJob Evaluation & GradingOrganization DesignEmployee Value Proposition (EVP)HR Analytics & Workforce PlanningFinancial Modelling & Cost AnalysisRewards GovernanceHR Policies & ComplianceHRIS & Data ManagementVendor & Benefits ManagementWorking RelationshipsInternalDirector – People Operations & StrategyHR Business PartnersTalent AcquisitionFinancePayrollExecutive Leadership TeamDepartment HeadsInternal AuditExternalCompensation Survey ProvidersBenefits ProvidersInsurance CompaniesHR ConsultantsRegulatory AuthoritiesExternal Auditors