Team Lead BAU Middle East full time

The Team Lead BAU is responsible for leading payroll operations across the Middle East, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing while delivering exceptional client service. The role manages payroll specialists, drives operational excellence, process automation, compliance, and continuous improvement, while collaborating with Finance, HR, IT, Compliance, and client stakeholders.

• Lead and supervise payroll specialists across multiple countries.
• Oversee end-to-end payroll processing, reconciliation, reporting, and payroll validation.
• Ensure compliance with labor laws, tax regulations, and statutory requirements.
• Review payroll calculations, deductions, and adjustments before payroll release.
• Coordinate payroll inputs with HR, Finance, and external stakeholders.
• Ensure payroll deadlines and SLA commitments are consistently achieved.
• Resolve payroll discrepancies through root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Prepare payroll reports, statutory filings, and audit documentation.

• Mentor, coach, and develop payroll specialists.
• Conduct performance reviews and identify training needs.
• Promote collaboration, knowledge sharing, succession planning, and employee engagement.
• Balance workloads and support career development.

• Identify process inefficiencies and implement automation initiatives.
• Collaborate with IT to introduce AI, RPA, and digital payroll solutions.
• Standardize payroll processes and maintain SOPs.
• Support implementation of payroll technologies, HRIS, ERP, and system integrations.
• Use payroll analytics to improve productivity, forecasting, and operational performance.

• Ensure compliance with payroll legislation, company policies, and governance standards.
• Conduct payroll audits and maintain audit-ready documentation.
• Protect payroll data confidentiality and strengthen internal controls.
• Partner with Compliance and Legal teams to address regulatory requirements.

• Act as the primary contact for payroll-related client and internal inquiries.
• Resolve escalations while maintaining high service standards.
• Support client onboarding, governance meetings, SLA reviews, and service improvements.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, IT, and Compliance to optimize payroll operations.

• Monitor KPIs including payroll accuracy, SLA performance, compliance, productivity, and processing times.
• Produce management reports with operational insights and recommendations.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives aligned with business objectives.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, HR, or related field (Master's preferred).
• Minimum 7 years of global payroll outsourcing experience, including 2+ years in a leadership role.
• Experience managing multi-country payroll operations.
• Strong knowledge of payroll compliance, ERP/HCM/payroll systems, SaaS platforms, and FinTech integrations.
• Excellent leadership, analytical, communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• High attention to detail, confidentiality, and customer service orientation.

• Achieve 98% payroll accuracy within six months.
• Reduce payroll processing time by 15%.
• Maintain 100% payroll compliance.
• Reduce employee attrition below 15%.
• Train 100% of payroll staff on compliance and automation.
• Automate key payroll processes within 12 months.
• Reduce payroll issue resolution time by 25%.
• Improve team productivity by 20%.
• Reduce payroll-related escalations by 30% through stronger cross-functional collaboration.
• Achieve 95%+ client satisfaction through proactive service improvements.