: Compensation, Benefits & Payroll Specialist

Industry: Insurance

Location: Remote, based anywhere in India

Employment: Full-time; contract issued through the client's Cochin GCC office

Reporting to: Head of HR – Abu Dhabi/Dubai

Experience: 5–9 years

Indicative fixed CTC: INR 18 lakhs per annum

Travel: Periodic travel to Abu Dhabi may be required

About the role

Connecting Minds HR Services is hiring a Compensation, Benefits & Payroll Specialist for a client in the insurance industry. This is a hands-on role for someone who can independently manage compensation and benefits processes, take ownership of monthly payroll, and support the implementation of PeopleStrong HRMS.

The role requires strong numerical skills, attention to detail and the ability to work closely with HR, Finance and other stakeholders across India and the UAE.

Key responsibilities

- Manage annual salary reviews and bonus/STIP cycles, including eligibility checks, budget modelling, calculations, approvals and payroll reconciliation.
- Maintain salary structures, grades, allowances and benefit eligibility rules. Prepare compensation analysis, cost forecasts and management reports.
- Own the monthly payroll process, including new hires, leavers, salary changes, allowances, deductions, arrears and final settlements.
- Review payroll variances, investigate exceptions, maintain approval records and reconcile payroll data with HR and Finance records.
- Support UAE payroll requirements, including WPS processing and end-of-service benefit calculations.




- Act as the HR functional lead for compensation and benefits during the PeopleStrong HRMS implementation. Support requirements gathering, data migration, UAT, parallel payroll runs and go-live.
- Maintain accurate, confidential and audit-ready compensation and payroll records.
- Support remuneration reporting and controls applicable to a regulated insurance business.

Candidate requirements

- 5–9 years of specialist experience in Compensation & Benefits or Total Rewards, preferably including experience in insurance, banking or another regulated financial services organisation.
- Hands-on experience running salary review and bonus cycles, administering benefits and building compensation models.
- Demonstrated ownership of monthly payroll, including checks, reconciliations and final settlements.
- Experience with PeopleStrong payroll and compensation/benefits processes, particularly implementation, UAT, data migration or parallel runs.
- Advanced Excel skills and strong analytical ability.
- Ability to work independently, manage sensitive information and communicate clearly with stakeholders across India and the UAE.

Preferred: Experience with UAE payroll, WPS, end-of-service benefits, and CBUAE remuneration requirements.

How to apply

Please send your updated CV to [email protected] with the subject line Compensation, Perks & Payroll Specialist. Include your current location, current and expected fixed CTC, and notice period.

📌 Compensation, Benefits & Payroll Specialist (Indi)
🏢 Connecting Minds HR Services
📍 Indi