Senior Manager, Payroll

Position Summary

Seeking a strategic Regional Payroll Expert to manage payroll operations and compliance in APAC.

The job is essential for ensuring the on-time and accurate processing of payroll and for successfully transitioning to a future-state operational model in line with global/regional transformations. Additionally, it will take charge of the APAC Payroll Roadmap, serving as the strategic representative for payroll, and advocating for payroll needs with senior HR leadership.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Transformation & RFP Leadership

• Establish and manage the future payroll framework, following global guidelines for improving existing payroll procedures.
• Lead APAC input into the RFP process, including requirements gathering, vendor evaluation, and transition planning.
• Provide project management oversight for payroll transformation initiatives, align collaborators to timelines and deliverables, and report progress to executive leadership.
• Act as the key advocate for payroll in APAC, championing payroll needs and leading the regional Payroll Roadmap. Develop cohesive relationships across HR, Benefits, Compensation, Finance, and Business collaborators.

2. Regional Payroll Governance & Compliance

• Align payroll operations with laws and statutory reporting requirements, ensuring all tasks are completed in accordance with statutory deadlines across the APAC region, including Singapore, Australia, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and New Zealand.
• Lead vendor governance reviews, produce performance scorecards, and ensure outsourced providers are held accountable to SLAs and contractual obligations.
• Ensure Standard Operating Procedures remain current with vendor model practices and regulatory changes.
• Maintain and strengthen control frameworks, risk management, and audit readiness.
• Serve as the primary contact for addressing customer concerns related to payroll compliance and delivery issues.

3. Payroll Oversight & Business Continuity

• Direct and control payroll services from vendors and internal sources, maintaining precision, timeliness, and consistency across APAC markets including Singapore, Australia, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and New Zealand.
• Ensure an accurate and timely payroll, including but not limited to base pay, stock compensation, payroll taxes, pension, statutory and supplemental benefits.
• Supervise expatriate and shadow payrolls for mobility cases in collaboration with Mobility Services.
• Validate payroll outputs and sign-off with Finance Managers and Local HR Managers.
• Safeguard business continuity through proactive planning and documentation.

4. Automation & Continuous Improvement

• Lead system automation projects and resolve payroll technology integrations alongside HRIS/IT.
• Monitor vendor performance metrics, produce payroll scorecards, and lead service improvement initiatives in collaboration with providers.
• Take charge of automation and digitization projects to streamline operations, boost scalability, and elevate reporting.
• Champion ongoing payroll optimization initiatives across the region.
• Build frameworks to support onboarding of new countries/entities into APAC payroll operations.
• Identify knowledge gaps and areas of training at the local country level for process improvement and standard methodology.

5. Finance & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with the Finance team on reconciliations, integrating the general ledger, managing accruals, and preparing statutory reports.
• Own month-end close, quarter-end, and year-end processes for APAC entities including reviewing/approving journal entries, account reconciliations, and accruals.
• Collaborate with HR, Master Data Admins, Legal, and Tax to ensure compliance and data integrity.
• Collaborate with Finance and HR collaborators to establish end-to-end payroll process expectations and achieve aligned outcomes.
• Provide expert payroll input on any M&A, expansions, and new entity setup.
• Partner with HRIS/IT to handle payroll platform integrations, troubleshoot problems, and modify technology infrastructure to align with dynamic business needs.

Engaging and Leading Collaborators

• Serve as the senior payroll subject matter expert for APAC, advising HR and Finance leadership on risk, compliance, and enhancement possibilities.
• Foster and uphold integrated connections spanning HR, Benefits, Compensation, Finance, and external vendors to secure timely and accurate results.
• Ask for feedback from interested parties to see opportunities for improving vendor services and proactively manage user problems.
• Foster a culture of outstanding customer service throughout payroll, guaranteeing positive participant experience and satisfaction.
• Collaborate and work with senior collaborators in a matrixed, multinational environment.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Extensive payroll experience exceeding 10 years, encompassing APAC-wide responsibilities and a deep understanding of payroll operations throughout the APAC territory, covering Singapore, Australia, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Hong Kong.
• Proven experience leading payroll transformations, RFPs, and vendor transitions.
• Experience leading large-scale payroll projects and cross-regional initiatives, with strong project management skills.
• Has expertise in managing end-to-end global payroll processes and internal control concepts.
• Proficient understanding of APAC payroll laws and legal obligations.
• Hands-on expertise with HRIS and payroll platforms (Workday, SAP, ADP, Ascender, or similar).
• Proven skill in collaborating across HR and Finance within a global matrix.
• Proficient in collaborating and influencing with senior-level individuals, skilled at resolving conflicts.

Preferred

• Payroll certification (CPP, CIPP, APA) or project management credentials (PMP, PRINCE2), Bachelor’s degree in Finance/Tax/Accounting/HR (or equivalent experience).
• Familiarity with automation tools, payroll analytics, and reporting platforms.
• Fluency in English, other APAC languages is a strong plus (Mandarin or Korean).

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic problem solver with ability to translate vision into action.
• Extensive technical knowledge in payroll adherence and regulations.
• Problem-solver skilled in process re-engineering and automation.
• Confident communicator with executive presence.
• Able to navigate ambiguity and balance regional vs global priorities.
• High integrity, attention to detail, and commitment to confidentiality.