India Payroll Lead

HCL Technologies Limited; Dadri; On-site; INR 4,000,000 - 7,000,000; Full time

Job summary

HCL Technologies Limited is seeking a Group Manager to lead end-to-end payroll operations for India entities, ensuring accurate payroll processing, taxation compliance, and statutory payments. The role emphasizes SAP payroll governance, stakeholder management, and team leadership.

The incumbent will drive operational excellence, standardization, and continuous improvement across payroll functions, partnering with Finance and HR to deliver compliant, timely payroll outcomes.

Qualifications

• MBA/PG in HR, Finance, or Commerce.
• 10-15+ years in Payroll, Taxation, and Statutory Compliance.
• Hands-on SAP Payroll experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end payroll operations for India entities in SAP.
• Ensure accurate salary processing and payroll controls.
• Oversee payroll calendars, inputs, and final sign-off.
• Drive payroll automation, process improvements, and efficiency initiatives.
• Lead payroll accounting closures and variance analyses with Finance.
• Coordinate taxation processes including declarations and Form 16 issuance.
• Ensure statutory compliance for PF, Pension, and other regulations.
• Manage audits and stakeholder relationships across HR and Finance.

Skills

Payroll operations

Stakeholder management

People leadership

Analytical skills

SAP Payroll

Education

MBA / PG in HR or Finance

Tools

SAP Payroll

SAP

Job description

Group Manager - Payroll, Taxation & Statutory Compliance (India)

Location: Noida

Department: HR Shared Services / Payroll Operations

Grade: Group Manager

Company: HCLTech

Job Summary

HCLTech is seeking an experienced and result-oriented Group Manager - Payroll, Taxation & Statutory Compliance to lead end-to-end payroll operations for India entities. The role will be responsible for ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing, payroll accounting, taxation compliance, statutory payments, SAP payroll governance, stakeholder management, and team leadership. The incumbent will drive operational excellence, compliance adherence, process standardization, and continuous improvement initiatives across payroll functions.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Operations

• Manage end-to-end payroll processing for all India entities through SAP.
• Ensure accurate and timely salary processing, including validations and payroll controls.
• Oversee payroll calendars, payroll inputs, and final payroll sign-off.
• Monitor payroll accuracy and compliance with company policies and statutory regulations.
• Drive payroll process improvements, automation, and efficiency initiatives.

Payroll Accounting & Reconciliation

• Review and approve payroll-related GL postings and accounting entries in SAP.
• Ensure reconciliation between payroll inputs, outputs, and finance records.
• Lead monthly payroll accounting closures and variance analysis.
• Review and approve Salary Variance Reports and investigate exceptions.
• Partner with Finance teams to ensure seamless payroll accounting and reporting.

Taxation Management

• Lead employee taxation processes including tax declarations, tax planning support, and compliance.
• Ensure accurate monthly Income Tax reconciliation within SAP.
• Handle complex employee taxation queries and escalations.
• Oversee preparation and filing of quarterly and annual TDS returns (24Q).
• Ensure timely preparation and issuance of Form 16 for all employees.
• Drive compliance with all income tax regulations and policy updates.

Statutory Compliance

• Ensure timely and accurate statutory compliance related to PF, Pension, Labour Welfare Fund, and other applicable regulations.
• Review monthly statutory reconciliations and payment processing.
• Ensure statutory filings and remittances are completed within prescribed timelines.
• Manage audits related to payroll taxation and statutory compliance.
• Coordinate with government authorities and external consultants, when required.

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Lead and mentor a team of payroll and compliance professionals.
• Establish operational KPIs, governance frameworks, and service delivery standards.
• Manage internal and external stakeholder relationships across HR, Finance, Audit, and Business functions.
• Support leadership with payroll analytics, MIS reporting, and decision-making insights.
• Drive employee experience through effective payroll query resolution and service excellence.

Desired Candidate Profile

• MBA / Post Graduate in HR, Finance, Commerce, or related discipline.
• 10-15+ years of experience in Payroll, Taxation, and Statutory Compliance.
• Strong hands-on experience in managing large-scale India payroll operations.
• Expertise in SAP Payroll and payroll accounting processes.
• In-depth knowledge of Income Tax, TDS, PF, Pension, and Indian labor compliances.
• Experience handling payroll audits and compliance reviews.
• Strong analytical, stakeholder management, and people leadership skills.
• Proven experience managing large teams in a shared services or corporate environment.