Compensation & Benefits Manager

Ghobash Group capitalizes on opportunities within promising industry sectors by either acquiring existing companies or establishing new businesses. Aligned with the needs of a growing portfolio, the Group established Aban Investment to administer a host of centralized business functions (finance, legal, HR, marketing, etc.) all aimed at delivering greater cost efficiencies, value and best practices to each of its business units.

The Compensation & Benefits Manager plays a key role in shaping, managing, and executing total rewards strategies across the Ghobash Group. The role leads compensation benchmarking, job evaluation, grading structures, and the design of short‑ and long‑term incentive programs across multiple business verticals. It functions as a Center of Excellence ensuring internal equity, market competitiveness, and compliance with labor regulations.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic C&B Management

• Develop and implement a holistic Total Rewards strategy aligned with Group vision.
• Lead annual salary and benefits benchmarking using Korn Ferry Pay or similar tools.
• Manage job evaluation methodology, grading matrices, and salary structures.

Incentive Design & Performance Rewards

• Design and govern STIP, LTIP, commissions, performance bonuses, and retention programs.
• Develop governance frameworks and policies for compensation programs.

Compliance & Advisory

• Ensure compliance with UAE Labor Law, GCC regulations, and local rules in India, Indonesia, and East Africa.
• Provide expert advice to HRBPs and leadership on compensation trends and merit cycles.
• Prepare submissions for Executive Management/Remuneration Committee.

Financial Planning & Analytics

• Lead compensation planning in the annual budget cycle.
• Provide salary/bonus forecasts and compensation cost analyses.
• Generate insights on pay trends, gender pay equity, and attrition costs using HR data.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Finance, Business, or related field (required)
• Certifications such as CIPD or SHRM (preferred)

Experience

• 8+ years’ experience in compensation, benefits, and payroll, including benchmarking and grading systems
• Experience in a Group‑level or multi‑industry UAE organization (preferred)

Skills & Abilities

• Strong data analysis and advanced analytical skills
• Executive reporting and presentation capability
• Deep understanding of reward programs and systems
• Familiarity with Korn Ferry / Mercer benchmarking frameworks (preferred)
• Experience designing and implementing STIP, LTIP, or executive variable pay programs (preferred)

Competencies

• Strategic Thinking
• Leadership
• Business & Financial Acumen
• Results Orientation
• Problem Solving & Decision Making
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills
• Innovation & Influencing
• People Management
• Technical competencies: payroll compliance, job evaluation, incentive design, total rewards strategy, HRIS, analytics, labor law knowledge, budgeting, policy governance

• Manage compensation budgets and cost‑effective reward structures
• Ensure compensation data accuracy and governance
• Strengthen HR reporting through analytics
• Contribute to employee satisfaction through fair and competitive programs
• Build HR’s reputation as a strategic business partner