Senior Payroll Specialist

Pilgrim; Mumbai; On-site; INR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Pilgrim in Mumbai is seeking a Senior Executive to independently manage end-to-end payroll, HR operations and statutory compliance. You will ensure timely payroll, audit readiness and closure of audit observations, coordinating with HR Operations, Finance, Legal and external auditors.

The role requires handling joiners, exits, reconciliations and complex statutory requirements across states, with strong Excel and HRMS proficiency to maintain data integrity and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Requires 6+ years in HR operations/payroll/statutory compliance.
• Bachelor’s in Commerce/HR or related field; MBA/PGDM in HR or payroll/compliance certification advantageous.
• Hands-on payroll processing, statutory deductions, reconciliations and full-and-final settlements.

Responsibilities

• End-to-End Payroll Management: own monthly payroll inputs, process payroll in HRMS, perform pre/post payroll checks and ensure timely salary release.
• Payroll Reconciliation & Controls: reconcile payroll with headcount, attendance, bank files and GL; investigate discrepancies with documented controls.
• Incentives & Variable Pay: validate incentive/variable-pay data with business and Finance for accurate payouts.
• Joiners, Exits & Full-and-Final: set up payroll for new joiners and complete exits including recoveries and statutory dues.
• Statutory Compliance: manage calendar for PF, ESI, PT, LWF, TDS (with Finance), Gratuity, Bonus and Shops & Establishments across states with document trails.
• HR Audits & Mandatory Closure: manage internal, statutory and labour-law audits; close all observations with root-cause analysis and CAPAs.
• Employee Queries & Support: resolve payslip/tax/PF/ESI/reimbursements/final settlements; maintain master data and monthly MIS.

Skills

Attention to detail

Ownership

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Deadline management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Commerce, HR, or related field

MBA/PGDM in HR or payroll/compliance certification

Tools

HRMS/Payroll System

Excel (pivot tables, lookups)

Job description

Senior Executive - Payroll & Operations:

We are looking for a detail-oriented professional to independently manage end-to-end payroll, HR operations and statutory compliance for the organization. The role will ensure accurate and timely payroll, robust compliance controls, audit readiness and closure of all audit observations within agreed timelines. The individual will work closely with HR Operations, Finance, Legal, business teams and external auditors.

Responsibilities:

• End-to-End Payroll Management: Own monthly payroll for the organization. Collect and validate attendance, leave, joiner, exit, incentive, reimbursement and deduction inputs; process payroll in the HRMS/payroll system; complete pre- and post-payroll checks; and ensure salary is released accurately and on time.
• Payroll Reconciliation & Controls: Reconcile payroll with headcount, attendance, bank files and the general ledger in coordination with Finance. Review month-on-month variances, investigate discrepancies and ensure timely resolution with documented controls.
• Incentives & Variable Pay: Work with business teams and Finance to validate incentive and variable-pay data and ensure accurate, timely payouts.
• Joiners, Exits & Full-and-Final: Ensure accurate payroll set-up for new joiners and timely, accurate full-and-final settlements for exits, including recoveries and applicable statutory dues.
• Statutory Compliance: Own the statutory compliance calendar and ensure timely computation, payments and filings for PF, ESI, Professional Tax, Labour Welfare Fund, TDS (with Finance), Gratuity, Bonus and applicable Shops & Establishments requirements across states. Maintain challans, returns and supporting records.
• HR Audits & Mandatory Closure: Independently manage internal, statutory and labour-law audits relating to payroll, HR operations and compliance. Ensure 100 of audit observations are tracked to closure within agreed timelines, with root-cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions, documentary evidence and stakeholder sign-off. Escalate overdue and high-risk observations. Audit closure is a core accountability of this role.
• Employee Queries & Support: Resolve employee queries relating to payslips, tax, PF, ESI, reimbursements and full-and-final settlements within defined timelines, with clear communication and documentation. HRMS, Data Integrity & MIS: Maintain accurate employee master data and payroll configurations in the HRMS. Prepare monthly MIS on payroll cost, headcount, statutory compliance, audit observations, ageing of open actions and operational risks; support system testing and process improvements.

Key Requirements:

• Over six years of overall experience in HR operations, payroll and/or statutory compliance, including three to four years of hands-on experience in end-to-end payroll processing.
• Bachelor's degree in Commerce, HR, or a related field; MBA / PGDM in HR or a payroll / compliance certification is an advantage.
• Hands-on experience in end-to-end payroll processing, including statutory deductions, payroll reconciliations, variable pay and full-and-final settlements.
• Strong working knowledge of PF, ESI, Professional Tax, Labour Welfare Fund, Gratuity, Bonus, TDS on salary and Shops & Establishments requirements.
• Proven experience managing or coordinating internal, statutory and/or labour-law audits, with demonstrated ownership of audit observations through to closure.
• Ability to maintain closure evidence and drive corrective and preventive actions is mandatory.
• Experience managing statutory compliance across multiple states or locations will be an advantage.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, reconciliations) and experience with an HRMS / payroll system (e.g., ,DarwinKeka, greytHR, Zoho, SAP, or similar).
• Strong attention to detail, ownership, analytical and communication skills, with the ability to meet tight monthly deadlines and handle confidential data with integrity.