Senior Payroll Specialist for MEA

Senior Payroll Specialist, MEA Job SummaryThe Senior Payroll Specialist is responsible for delivering accurate, timely, and compliant payroll operations across the MEA region. This role focuses on end-to-end payroll coordination, payroll inputs, payroll validations, statutory deductions, vendor follow-up, controls, reporting, and issue resolution to ensure employees are paid correctly and on time.The role acts as a payroll subject matter contact for employees, managers, HR Business Partners, Finance, vendors, and external stakeholders. It requires strong payroll governance, attention to detail, regional coordination, audit readiness, and continuous improvement mindset while ensuring compliance with local statutory requirements and internal payroll controls.Key ResponsibilitiesPayroll ManagementManage and coordinate end-to-end payroll review and processing activities across the MEA region and Gulf countries, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timely delivery.Process, review, and validate payroll changes including compensation updates, promotions, new hires, leavers, deductions, one-time payments, allowances, statutory deductions, and tax-related payroll inputs.Calculate and process retroactive payments related to promotions and other payroll adjustments.Calculate and validate regional allowances, recurring payments, and country-specific payroll components in line with local requirements and company <policy.Review> and validate employee deductions, benefits-related deductions, and other country-specific payroll <adjustments.Review> and validate both employee and company pension fund contributions.Validate payroll input files for non-system, off-cycle, or late payroll inputs after cut-off, including overtime, sick leave adjustments, fleet-related deductions, installment deductions, leaver payments, and exceptional payments.Ensure payroll data, employee master data, and compensation changes are accurately reflected in Workday, payroll systems, and vendor files before payroll finalization.Manage payroll upload requests and mass payment files for bonuses, incentives, allowances, and other one-time payroll transactions.Perform payroll controls, reconciliations, variance checks, and validation reviews to ensure payroll accuracy, completeness, compliance, and audit <readiness.Support> payroll audits, statutory inspections, vendor reviews, payroll compliance checks, and documentation requests across the region.Track payroll issues, investigate root causes, coordinate corrective actions, and ensure timely follow-up through closure.Coordinate with local payroll vendors and internal stakeholders to confirm payroll calendars, cut-offs, funding timelines, statutory submissions, and payment approvals.Payroll, Compensation, and Benefits SupportSupport annual compensation and merit review activities by validating payroll impacts, qualified earnings, retroactive adjustments, and payroll <readiness.Support> promotion and compensation cycles by calculating payroll impacts, validating effective dates, reviewing retroactive payments, and ensuring accurate payroll <processing.Review> payroll treatment for allowances, benefits, and employee entitlements, ensuring alignment with country rules and company policy.Coordinate with benefit owners and relevant internal teams to validate payroll-impacting changes before payroll closure.Administer payroll-related benefits and vendor processes, including pension or savings plan deductions, employer contributions, and related payment coordination where applicable.Payroll Stakeholder and Vendor SupportProvide high-quality payroll support to employees, managers, HR Business Partners, Finance, and vendors by resolving payroll queries accurately and within agreed service levels.Manage payroll cases through ServiceNow and provide clear, professional, and timely responses on salary payments, deductions, allowances, benefits, payslips, and payroll adjustments.Coordinate payroll communication with internal stakeholders and external vendors.Maintain and update the Trusted Source List and other payroll-related governance <documents.Support> payroll-related policy implementation, payroll process updates, and employee communication materials where required.Payroll Systems, Compliance, and ReportingCreate and track purchase requisitions and vendor payment requirements linked to payroll services and statutory or vendor-related payroll payments.Maintain regional payroll calendars, including payroll cut-offs, public holidays, funding dates, statutory submission deadlines, and payment timelines.Participate in root-cause analysis activities in collaboration with HRBPs when required.Prepare payroll reports, monthly reconciliations, variance analysis, headcount-related payroll reporting, and payroll governance dashboards as required.Ensure data integrity, compliance, and proper documentation across payroll processes, payroll controls, statutory submissions, and vendor interactions.QualificationsBachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a related field.Several years of experience in payroll administration, regional payroll operations, payroll governance, or a related role.Strong experience managing payroll operations across MEA, including payroll inputs, controls, vendor coordination, and statutory payroll requirements.Experience with Workday, SAP, and case management systems such as ServiceNow is preferred.Good understanding of payroll controls, statutory deductions, tax, social insurance, pension or savings plans, and regional payroll compliance requirements.Experience working with external payroll vendors and auditors is an advantage.Skills and CompetenciesStrong knowledge of regional payroll processing, payroll controls, statutory deductions, and payroll complianceHigh attention to detail and accuracyStrong analytical and numerical skillsAbility to manage confidential and sensitive employee dataStrong communication and stakeholder management skillsAbility to work under pressure and meet strict deadlinesProblem-solving and root-cause analysis capabilityStrong organizational and coordination skillsProficiency in Microsoft Excel and HR/payroll systemsKey RelationshipsThe role works closely with employees, managers, HR Business Partners, Finance teams, payroll vendors, benefits vendors, auditors, tax and social insurance contacts, and other external service providers across the MEA region and Gulf countries.Success Measures:Success in this role is measured by:Accurate and timely payroll deliveryCompliance with internal controls and statutory requirementsStrong payroll governance across MEA and Gulf countriesHigh-quality employee and stakeholder supportTimely resolution of payroll queries, payroll corrections, and vendor follow-upsAccurate maintenance of payroll data, employee master data, and payroll documentationEffective coordination with vendors and internal teamsStrong audit readiness and documentation standardsWhy AstraZeneca?At AstraZeneca we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration, and always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development. We’re on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of <healthcare.So>, what’s next? Are you already imagining yourself joining our team? Good, because we can’t wait to hear from <you.Date> Posted20-أغسطس-2026Closing Date19-سبتمبر-2026AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.