APAC Payroll Manager

About the Role

The APAC Payroll Manager is charged with leading and ensuring the accurate, timely, and compliant payroll services delivery for the Asia-Pacific region. This position oversees governance, internal controls, process enhancements, and collaboration with various business units and external partners to minimize risks while supporting regional expansion and improving employee experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Take full responsibility for payroll operations end-to-end across APAC, including timely processing, delivery, reconciliation, and reporting for both regular and off-cycle payroll runs.
• Develop and sustain a comprehensive payroll governance framework covering internal controls, compliance audits, issue resolution, and risk management.
• Ensure adherence to country-specific payroll laws, tax regulations, mandatory reporting, and year-end payroll processes in all supported jurisdictions.
• Manage vendor and external service provider relationships, ensuring adherence to service levels, compliance, contract obligations, and pursue continuous service delivery improvements.
• Monitor and drive payroll service levels and key performance indicators across both internal teams and external providers to guarantee operational excellence.
• Handle pre- and post-payroll processes, quickly resolve issues, and implement corrective actions aimed at eliminating root causes and enhancing sustainability.
• Lead and mentor a skilled payroll team through goal setting, performance evaluation, succession planning, skills development, and engagement initiatives.
• Collaborate with Finance, HR, Legal, Total Rewards, Technology teams, and external partners to align payroll operations with business goals and regulatory requirements.
• Address complex or escalated payroll challenges by providing expert guidance and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Create, review, and update payroll policies, procedures, documentation, cross-training programs, and business continuity plans to ensure scalable, consistent, and resilient payroll services.
• Analyze payroll data and trends to generate insightful reports and recommendations for People, Finance, and business leadership.
• Lead payroll-related projects including system enhancements and process improvements to boost efficiency, controls, scalability, and employee satisfaction.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

• Proven expertise managing payroll operations across multiple APAC countries with deep knowledge of region-specific payroll legislation, taxation, and employment regulations.
• Demonstrated leadership in building and developing payroll teams within dynamic, fast-paced environments involving change management, process transformation, and business scaling.
• Strong background in payroll governance, internal control frameworks, compliance monitoring, audit practices, and payroll risk mitigation.
• Excellent skills in partnering with cross-functional stakeholders including HR, Finance, Legal, IT, and external vendors, supported by effective communication and influence abilities.
• Analytical mindset with proficiency in payroll reconciliations, reporting, trend analysis, and data-driven operational improvements.
• Experience with payroll system implementations and enhancements along with optimizing service delivery methodologies.
• Familiarity with global payroll software platforms such as ADP Celergo, Workday, or equivalent multinational payroll systems is preferred.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel capabilities and strong knowledge of Office tools including Teams, Outlook, and Word.

About Slalom

Slalom is a human-centric business and technology consultancy focused on delivering real outcomes and value. Operating across 52 offices in 12 countries, we help clients from the Global 1000, mid-market firms, and public sector organizations improve operations, foster growth, and generate value through collaboration and innovation.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Slalom is committed to diversity and inclusion, welcoming applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, disability, age, marital or partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other legally protected characteristics.