Manager – Rewards, Payroll & HR Systems (Bangladesh)

Lead the local Rewards, payroll and HR systems function for DP World's New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) in Chattogram. The role will support compensation planning, manpower budgeting, salary reviews, increments, variable pay and bonus administration, while ensuring payroll and HR systems readiness ahead of terminal takeover and smooth operations thereafter. The position will serve as the local Rewards focal point, working closely with Regional Rewards on compensation policies, structures and approvals.
All Rewards and compensation-related activities will be undertaken in close coordination with Regional Rewards and in accordance with approved Group and Regional frameworks, governance and approval requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage local Rewards activities, including compensation analysis, salary benchmarking, offer preparation, salary reviews, annual increments, allowances and benefits administration in close coordination with Regional Rewards and subject to the applicable approval framework.
• Coordinate annual variable pay/performance bonus and incentive calculations with Regional Rewards, ensuring accuracy and alignment with approved schemes and eligibility criteria.
• Develop and monitor annual manpower budgets, workforce cost forecasts and headcount-related financial projections in coordination with HR, Finance and Operations and Regional Rewards, where compensation assumptions are involved.
• Support the implementation and periodic review of compensation structures, salary scales and benefits under the guidance of Regional Rewards.
• Set up and manage end-to-end payroll for direct employees, covering salaries, wages, overtime, allowances, bonuses, deductions, statutory payments and final settlements.
• Lead payroll and HR systems readiness ahead of terminal takeover, including employee data migration, validation, system configuration, testing, parallel payroll and go-live preparation.
• Configure and manage HRIS, payroll, attendance, leave and employee master data systems, including Darwinbox/HRMS and related interfaces.
• Establish payroll controls, approval workflows, reconciliations and audit trails, ensuring accurate integration of attendance, shifts, overtime and variable payments.
• Ensure compliance with Bangladesh labour laws, individual income tax requirements and applicable statutory obligations relating to compensation and payroll.
• Prepare regular manpower cost, payroll, overtime, compensation and budget-versus-actual dashboards for management.
• Coordinate with Regional Rewards, HR, Finance, IT, Operations and external vendors to ensure effective implementation and resolution of operational issues.
• Support workforce cost validation, reconciliation and payment verification for outsourced manpower, where applicable, without assuming their employer or payroll responsibilities.
• Drive post-go-live stabilisation and continuous improvement of Rewards, payroll and HR system processes.

Candidate Profile

• 7+ years' experience in Rewards/Compensation & Benefits, payroll and HR systems, preferably in a large industrial, manufacturing, logistics, port or 24/7 operational environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related discipline from a recognized university.
• Professional certifications in Compensation & Benefits, Total Rewards, Payroll Management, or HR Analytics (such as GRP, CCP, or equivalent) would be an added advantage.
• Relevant training or certification in HRIS, payroll systems, advanced Excel, or workforce financial modelling is desirable.
• Strong practical experience in compensation analysis, salary benchmarking, annual increments, variable pay/bonus administration and manpower budgeting.
• Sound knowledge of Bangladesh payroll, individual income tax, labour laws, statutory benefits and compliance requirements.
• Proven experience managing payroll and HRIS for a sizeable workforce, preferably including system implementation, data migration and payroll testing.
• Experience with Darwinbox or comparable HRIS/payroll platform is preferred.
• Advanced Excel, financial modelling and analytical skills, with experience in workforce cost forecasting, budgeting and management reporting.

Skills and Abilities

• A hands-on Rewards and payroll professional. 
• Strong experience in compensation administration, manpower budgeting, annual increments, variable pay and payroll operations, supported by practical HR systems knowledge.
• Capable of independently managing local Rewards and payroll requirements.
• Able to coordinate all compensation structure, salary reviews, offers, benefits, performance bonuses and incentive matters with Regional Rewards and following the applicable approval framework.