Monroe Consulting Group, an Executive Recruitment firm, is partnering with an organisation in the Healthcare sector to hire a Senior Payroll Specialist, SEA. This opportunity is based in Malaysia, with regional coverage across Southeast Asia.

Position Overview

The role is responsible for managing end-to-end payroll operations across multiple Southeast Asian countries. It plays a critical role in ensuring compliance, accuracy, and efficiency while supporting regional initiatives and enhancing employee experience.

Key Responsibilities

Manage end-to-end payroll processing for Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
Prepare, validate and submit monthly payroll inputs to external payroll vendors.
Review payroll calculations, statutory deductions, taxes, and benefit-related transactions for accuracy.
Ensure payroll is processed accurately and within established payroll calendars and statutory deadlines.
Coordinate off-cycle payrolls, salary adjustments, bonuses, commissions, allowances, overtime payments, and final settlements.
Process payroll activities relating to new hires, transfers, promotions, salary changes and employee terminations.
Respond to payroll-related enquiries from employees, HR Business Partners and Finance.
Liaise with external payroll vendors to ensure timely and accurate payroll processing.
Monitor payroll deliverables and escalate payroll issues where necessary.
Participate in payroll system enhancements and process improvements.
Ensure payroll complies with country-specific employment legislation, tax regulations and statutory requirements.
Support annual tax filings, statutory reporting and year-end payroll activities.
Prepare payroll documentation required for internal and external audits.
Maintain payroll records in accordance with company policies and compliance standards.
Maintain accurate payroll-related employee master data within HRIS and payroll systems.
Validate employee movements impacting payroll, including hires, exits, promotions and salary revisions.
Support payroll reporting and headcount reconciliation.
Build strong working relationships with HR, Finance, payroll vendors and regional business stakeholders.
Provide professional payroll support while maintaining confidentiality of employee information.
Support Payroll Manager with regional payroll initiatives and special projects.

Key Requirements

Qualifications & Experience
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or related discipline.
Minimum 5 years of payroll experience, preferably in a multinational environment.
Experience managing multi-country payroll across Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia highly preferred.
Good knowledge of payroll legislation, taxation and statutory requirements across Southeast Asia.

Technical / Functional Expertise
Experience working with outsourced payroll vendors (e.g. BIPO, ADP, TMF, BoardRoom or similar).
Experience using HRIS and payroll systems (SAP SuccessFactors experience is an advantage).
Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP and data reconciliation.
Strong attention to detail with high levels of accuracy and confidentiality.
Ability to manage multiple payroll cycles simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.

Soft Skills & Leadership Competencies
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Able to work independently while collaborating effectively within a regional team.
Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise effectively.
Professional integrity and commitment to confidentiality.

Senior Payroll Specialist (SEA)