Senior Specialist, Payroll

About the Opportunity
The Senior Specialist, APAC Payroll is responsible for owning and delivering accurate, timely, and compliant payroll operations across APAC, with a primary focus on Singapore payroll while providing regional support across other APAC markets.
This role goes beyond operational execution. The Senior Specialist acts as a subject matter expert (SME) for assigned markets, ensuring strong statutory compliance, internal controls, audit readiness, and process governance.
The Senior Specialist partners closely with Payroll Managers, Finance, and People & Culture stakeholders to strengthen payroll accuracy, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement within the APAC shared services model.
While complex regulatory or strategic matters are escalated appropriately, this role independently owns payroll cycles, validates controls, and proactively identifies risks and process enhancement opportunities.
Key Responsibilities
Payroll Ownership & Execution
Independently own end-to-end payroll cycles for Singapore and assigned APAC markets.
Validate payroll inputs, statutory deductions, and gross-to-net calculations with high precision.
Ensure adherence to payroll calendars, cut-offs, and internal control checkpoints.
Review payroll outputs prior to finalization, ensuring statutory accuracy (CPF, IRAS, SHG, SDL).
Oversee off-cycle payroll processing (final pay, bonuses, adjustments).
Act as escalation point for payroll specialists where applicable.
Payroll Compliance & Governance
Ensure full compliance with Singapore statutory requirements and applicable APAC regulations.
Oversee preparation and submission of year-end tax reporting (e.g., IR8A, IR21).
Maintain audit-ready payroll documentation and reconciliation records.
Identify control gaps and recommend risk mitigation strategies.
Support internal and external audit reviews, ensuring documentation completeness and accuracy.
Stakeholder & Regional Collaboration
Serve as key payroll partner to Finance and People & Culture teams.
Handle complex payroll queries and escalations requiring regulatory interpretation.
Support cross-market payroll alignment and regional process standardization.
Provide guidance and knowledge-sharing to junior payroll specialists.
Contribute to regional payroll governance discussions and improvements.
Process Improvement & Systems
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance payroll accuracy and efficiency.
Review reconciliation processes and recommend automation or control enhancements.
Support UAT and system implementation initiatives (regulatory updates, vendor transitions, transformation projects).
Monitor system integrations and proactively mitigate data risks.
What We’re Looking For
4–6 years of payroll operations experience, with strong Singapore payroll expertise.
Proven ability to independently manage full payroll cycles.
Strong understanding of Singapore statutory contributions, tax reporting, and compliance requirements.
Experience in multi-country or regional payroll environments.
Exposure to payroll system implementations or process improvement initiatives is a strong advantage.
Strong understanding of payroll controls and audit requirements.
High ownership mindset with ability to manage payroll in high-pressure environments.
Ability to guide and mentor junior payroll team members.
What We Offer
Ownership of high-impact regional payroll operations.
Exposure to multi-country payroll governance and transformation initiatives.
A dynamic and growing APAC shared services environment.
Professional growth within payroll operations and regional leadership pathways.
A collaborative and international team environment.
What Success Looks Like
Independently owns Singapore payroll cycles with minimal supervision.
Maintains high statutory accuracy and zero high-risk compliance gaps.
Demonstrates strong control awareness and audit readiness.
Serves as a trusted SME for payroll-related queries and regulatory matters.
Proactively identifies process improvement opportunities.
Supports regional payroll scalability and governance alignment.
Is viewed as a stable and reliable escalation point within the team.

Employment type
Full-time

Work arrangement
No