Payroll Specialist / Deputy Manager

ROLE SUMMARY

The Payroll Specialist / Deputy Manager for Thailand, Malaysia and Philippines is responsible for the accurate, timely and compliant delivery and governance of payroll within a shared services payroll environment. Acting as the country Payroll SME, the role oversees payroll providers, validates payroll inputs and outputs, ensures statutory and tax compliance, maintains effective payroll controls, and supports payroll-related queries and continuous improvement.

The role partners closely with HR, Finance and external service providers to ensure payroll is delivered accurately, compliantly and in line with country-specific labor, tax, social security and employment regulations as well as established processes, controls and payroll calendars while delivering a high-quality employee payroll experience.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

The role encompasses the following core responsibilities across Thailand, Malaysia and Philippines, with additional country-specific requirements outlined below to reflect local payroll, statutory and regulatory requirements.

Core / Shared Responsibilities

• Own and coordinate the end-to-end payroll cycle, including payroll calendars, cut-offs, data collection, validation and timely submission for processing.
• Validate payroll inputs and outputs, including employee movements, compensation changes, allowances, bonuses/incentives, deductions, benefits and other payroll-impacting transactions.
• Review payroll results, reconciliations, variance and exception reports, investigate discrepancies and coordinate timely corrections prior to final approval.
• Govern payroll vendors , ensuring delivery against agreed payroll calendars, service levels, quality standards and internal controls.
• Ensure compliance with applicable country-specific payroll, tax, social security, employment and statutory requirements including monitoring regulatory changes and coordinating required process or system updates.
• Coordinate payroll funding, payments with Finance team.
• Maintain effective payroll controls, audit trails and documentation, and support internal, external and statutory audits while ensuring confidentiality and protection of employee payroll data.
• Identify and support opportunities for payroll process improvement, standardization, automation and system enhancement.
• Manage and resolve employee payroll queries, coordinating with HR, Finance and payroll providers on complex or country-specific matters.
• Strong practical knowledge of payroll, statutory and tax requirements in the applicable country including employment-related contributions and reporting requirements.
• Experience managing payroll through an external payroll provider and/or shared services environment, including reviewing payroll outputs and resolving discrepancies.
• Experience with payroll reconciliations, statutory submissions, year-end payroll activities, and supporting payroll audits and internal controls.
• Strong numerical and analytical capability with demonstrated ability to investigate discrepancies and analyze large payroll datasets.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including formulas, reconciliation and data analysis.
• Strong understanding of payroll controls, confidentiality and employee-data protection.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple payroll deadlines and priorities independently.