Director, Payroll

McDonald's; Hyderabad; On-site; INR 6,000,000 - 8,500,000; Full time

Job summary

McDonald’s in Hyderabad is seeking a Director, Payroll to lead the Employee Services strategy and end-to-end payroll operations across multiple countries. You will partner with senior leaders to drive transformation, standardize services, and ensure robust controls and compliance.

The role requires 16+ years of experience, 8+ years in payroll leadership, and a track record of managing multi-country delivery within a complex global environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance.
• 8+ years relevant experience and 16+ years total experience.
• Experience leading large-scale payroll or HR Shared Services in a global environment.
• Experience managing multi-country payroll operations and diverse regulatory environments.
• Strong track record of process standardization, transformation, and productivity improvements.
• Ability to build, lead, and develop high-performing teams within large, matrixed organizations.
• Deep understanding of global payroll compliance, governance, internal controls, and risk management frameworks.
• Desirable qualifications in payroll, HR, or finance.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the Employee Services strategy with senior leaders to drive transformation.
• Own end-to-end Employee Services operations, ensuring delivery excellence, cost efficiency, and KPIs across markets.
• Build and lead high-performing teams across regions with clear accountability and succession planning.
• Drive adoption of best practices, automation, and process optimisation leveraging technology.
• Ensure compliance with payroll legislation, internal policies, and control frameworks.

Skills

Payroll leadership

Strategy execution

Transformation

Budgeting

Regulatory compliance

Team leadership

Global operations

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance

Payroll professional qualifications (desirable)

Tools

Payroll systems

Job description

Job Description:

About McDonald’s:

One of the world’s largest employers with locations in more than 100 countries, McDonald’s Corporation has corporate opportunities in Hyderabad. Our global offices serve as dynamic innovation and operations hubs, designed to expand McDonald's global talent base and in-house expertise. Our new office in Hyderabad will bring together knowledge across business, technology, analytics, and AI, accelerating our ability to deliver impactful solutions for the business and our customers across the globe.

Department Overview

At McDonald's, we believe that our success begins and ends with our people. We are committed to fostering an inclusive culture where every employee can thrive and contribute their best.

McDonald’s has an exciting opportunity for a Director, Payroll.

The candidate is expected to reside in Hyderabad, India.

Duties

• Lead Strategy & Transformation - Define and execute the Employee Services strategy, partnering with senior business and functional leaders to drive transformation, service standardisation, and alignment with global priorities.

• Operational Ownership & Performance - Own end-to-end Employee Services operations, ensuring delivery excellence, service quality, cost efficiency, and adherence to agreed KPIs and SLAs across all markets in scope.

• Leadership & Organisation Development - Build and lead high-performing teams across regions, establishing clear accountability, strengthening capability, and ensuring robust succession planning and talent development.

• Process, Technology & Continuous Improvement - Drive adoption of best practices, automation, and process optimisation, leveraging technology solutions to enhance service delivery and operational scalability.

• Risk, Compliance & Controls - Ensure full compliance with payroll legislation, internal policies, and control frameworks, proactively identifying and mitigating operational and financial risks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance

• Minimum 8+ years’ relevant experience and overall work experience of 16+ years, including:

• Proven experience leading large-scale Payroll or HR Shared Services operations in a complex global environment.

• Demonstrated accountability for financial management, including budgeting, cost optimization, and operational efficiency.

• Extensive expertise in overseeing payroll operations across multiple countries and diverse regulatory environments.

• Strong track record of managing and optimizing multi-country service delivery and operating models.

• Experience driving process standardization, transformation initiatives, continuous improvement, and productivity enhancements.

• Proven ability to build, lead, and develop high-performing teams within large, matrixed organizations.

• Deep understanding of global payroll compliance, governance, internal controls, and risk management frameworks.

• Relevant professional qualifications (e.g. payroll, HR, finance) desirable

McDonald’s is the world’s leading global foodservice retailer with over 40,000 locations in over 100 countries. Approximately 95% of McDonald’s restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent local business owners. At McDonald’s, we lead through our values centered on inclusivity, service, integrity, community, and family. Here is your chance to get in on something special as we grow our corporate team in India and allow you to grow your career.