The Senior Payroll Manager plays a critical leadership role within the Global Business Service Center, overseeing multicountry payroll operations while driving strategic initiatives that enhance efficiency, accuracy, and governance. This role is responsible not only for ensuring endtoend payroll delivery but also for leading continuous improvement efforts, strengthening global payroll controls, and serving as the organization's primary escalation point and subject matter expert (SME) for complex payroll matters. The Senior Payroll Manager partners closely with HR, Finance, IT, auditors, and external providers to safeguard compliance, champion process excellence, and deliver a worldclass employee experience.
Main Responsibilities
Payroll Operations Leadership
- Lead and oversee the execution of accurate and timely payroll for multiple countries within the GBS scope.
- Ensure compliance with local statutory requirements, company policies, and audit standards.
- Manage complex payroll matters including expatriate payroll, global mobility, equity compensation, bonuses, and year-end processes.
- Implement strong quality controls to ensure data accuracy and payroll integrity.
Service Delivery & Process Excellence
- Drive standardization, harmonization, and automation of payroll processes across countries.
- Establish and monitor KPIs, SLAs, and service quality metrics.
- Champion lean, Six Sigma, or process improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and reduce errors.
- Implement best practices aligned with global GBS operating models.
Stakeholder & Vendor Management
- Serve as the key contact point for HR, Finance, external auditors, tax authorities, and third-party payroll providers.
- Oversee vendor performance, service-level adherence, contract compliance, and cost management.
- Collaborate with HR Business Partners, Total Rewards, and Finance teams on compensation cycles and year-end activities.
Compliance, Risk & Controls
- Ensure payroll operations comply with all tax laws, employment legislation, and corporate governance requirements.
- Lead internal and external audits, ensuring timely and accurate documentation and remediation.
- Implement robust risk management and internal controls across payroll operations.
Systems & Data Governance
- Oversee payroll system administration (SAP/other) and integrations with HRIS and Finance systems.
- Partner with IT and HR Technology teams on system enhancements, testing, and data integrity.
- Ensure secure handling of confidential employee data in accordance with GDPR / PDPA / data privacy regulations.
Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing Payroll team within the GBS structure.
- Drive a culture of accountability, collaboration, and customer focus.
- Manage workforce planning, succession planning, and capability building for the payroll function.
Project Management
- Lead projects for payroll centralization, process redesign, or implementation of new governance models.
- Monitor operational metrics, trends, and insights to improve service quality and efficiency.
- Communicate proactively with stakeholders on payroll risks, changes, timelines, and performance.
- Support transition projects, including country onboarding into the GBS payroll model.
Experience and Education
- Bachelor's degree required.
- 12+ years of HR or payroll experience in a multinational or Global services environment. Prior leadership experience in a GBS / SSC environment is a plus.
- Strong experience managing outsourced payroll models with thirdparty global vendors.
- Knowledge of transformation projects (system implementation, outsourcing, process transitions).
Specific Skill and Knowledge
- Good working knowledge of applicable labor laws and regulations related to HR functions
- Solid knowledge with HRIS and HCM software such as SAP SuccessFactors or related HR Systems.
- Strong organizational and negotiation skills.
- Strong stakeholders management skills.
- Strong communication skills and high service orientation.
- High degree of flexibility, reliability and commitment.
- Deep understanding of payroll governance, compliance, and vendor management.
- Strong analytical skills to interpret payroll data and performance metrics.
- High service orientation, resilience, and ability to operate in a dynamic GBS environment.
- Strong communication skills: proficiency in English required, additional languages preferred.
- Effective team leadership and retention.
