Senior Payroll Officer

Six Construct, a subsidiary of the BESIX Group, is the largest Belgian construction company operating in the Middle East. The company combines the efforts of a highly skilled workforce, along with strategic planning and innovative use of technology to overcome the most complex business challenges. Six Construct is a multi-services company that operates in the construction of commercial and residential buildings, sport and leisure facilities, infrastructure and marine-related projects. The company currently employs a workforce of approximately 4,000 in the Middle East, and a total of 10,000 worldwide.

Why This Role Matters

The Senior Payroll Officer is responsible for delivering accurate, compliant, and timely end-to-end payroll operations across the organization. In addition to operational excellence, the role plays a key part in leading the digitalisation and modernisation of payroll processes, ensuring system optimisation, automation, and continuous improvement in line with business growth and governance standards.

What You’ll Drive

Payroll Processing

• Execute end-to-end monthly payroll processing for employees across multiple entities and/or countries (where applicable).
• Ensure accurate calculation and timely disbursement of salaries, allowances, overtime, deductions, bonuses, and end-of-service benefits.
• Process all payroll inputs, including new hires, terminations, salary revisions, promotions, and variable pay.
• Ensure payroll costs are correctly allocated to projects, sites, cost centres, and business units in line with approved structures and Finance requirements

Compliance & Controls

• Ensure payroll compliance with UAE Labour Law and applicable GCC regulations
• Maintain strict compliance with Wage Protection System (WPS)
• Ensure accurate and timely statutory deductions, including pension contributions for UAE and GCC nationals (where applicable).
• Support internal and external audits by preparing payroll documentation, reconciliations, and statutory reports.

Payroll Administration

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date payroll records and employee data within the payroll system.
• Manage payroll-related documentation including employment contracts, salary adjustment letters, certificates, and benefit changes.
• Reconcile payroll outputs and resolve discrepancies in a timely and controlled manner.

Reporting & Analysis

• Prepare and submit monthly payroll reports, reconciliations, and variance analysis to the Finance team.
• Provide payroll-related reporting and insights to HR and Finance stakeholders to support decision-making.

Employee Support

• Act as the primary point of contact for employee payroll-related queries.
• Ensure prompt and professional resolution of payroll discrepancies while maintaining confidentiality and trust.

Payroll Digitalisation & Systems Management

• Lead the digitalisation and modernisation of payroll processes, with a focus on automation, system efficiency, and data accuracy.
• Act as the payroll system subject-matter expert, overseeing system configuration, enhancements, and data integrity.
• Partner with HR, Finance, and IT to support system upgrades, implementations, or migrations.
• Identify system gaps and manual dependencies, proposing and implementing technology-driven solutions to strengthen payroll governance.
• Ensure payroll systems remain compliant with legal requirements and internal controls.

Confidentiality & Data Protection

• Maintain strict confidentiality of payroll and employee information.
• Ensure payroll data is managed in line with internal data protection policies and access controls.

You’re a Great Fit If You Have

Qualification:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, or related field.
• Minimum 5–8 years of payroll experience, preferably within UAE/GCC.
• Strong knowledge of UAE Labour Law, WPS, payroll compliance, and statutory regulations.
• Proven experience managing payroll for large and diverse employee populations, including staff, expatriates, and workers.
• Strong working knowledge of payroll systems/software, with demonstrated experience in payroll system optimisation or process automation.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and numerical skills
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong understanding of payroll compliance and labour law
• Ability to manage strict deadlines and work under pressure
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• High level of integrity, discretion, and accountability
• Digital and systems-oriented mindset with continuous improvement focus

Preferred Requirements

• Hands-on experience using the Horizon payroll system, with demonstrated capability to manage, optimise, and improve payroll system functionality.
• Experience in construction or project-based environments.
• Exposure to multi-country or regional (GCC) payroll.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and payroll reporting tools.
• Experience leading or participating in payroll digitalisation or system optimisation projects.

Why You’ll Enjoy Working with Us

• Competitive Benefits
• Positive Workplace Culture
• Opportunity to work with a leading international construction group
• Exposure to large-scale, high-impact projects in the Middle East
• Collaborative, diverse, and professional work environment
• Career growth and development opportunities