Head of APAC Payroll

Thornton Tomasetti; Selangor; On-site; MYR 250,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

Abbott in Malaysia seeks an APAC Head of Payroll to lead a multi-country payroll center of excellence across APAC, delivering compliant, timely payroll and a trusted employee experience.

You will guide a dispersed team, harmonize processes and controls, and partner with HR, Finance and Legal to scale operations while mitigating risk. Strong leadership in global, matrix environments is essential. The role requires strategic vision and service excellence in a healthcare environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years at a people manager level with experience in payroll, HR or shared services.
• Minimum 10 years in payroll, HR or related field.
• Experience working in a global company, with matrix organizations and multiple cultures.
• Experience with payroll systems, contact center technologies, CRM or Service Ticket applications, and Workday System ofRecord or similar.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a multi-country regional payroll organization, providing strategic direction, performance management, and capability building for a geographically dispersed team of payroll professionals.
• Oversee regional payroll activities to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing across countries, in alignment with local legislation, statutory requirements, company policies, and global standards.
• Oversee payroll systems to ensure ongoing adherence to, and operational alignment with, payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls covering pay, benefits, taxes, deductions, incentives, commissions, bonuses, and recordkeeping.
• Serve as the primary regional point of contact and escalation leader for business leaders, HR partners, and employees on highly complex payroll matters.
• Own payroll performance for designated countries within the region, driving consistent, high-quality payroll delivery and using GHRS metrics to identify trends and improve outcomes.

Skills

People management

Payroll systems

Global/matrix experience

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Workday

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

This job description details the main purpose and responsibilities, qualifications, and details for the APAC Head of Payroll.

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The APAC Head of Payroll provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for multi‑country payroll center of excellence across the APAC region, ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely payment of employees in alignment with local legislation and company standards. As the regional payroll leader, this role drives harmonized payroll and service fulfillment models, enabling operational excellence, risk mitigation, and a consistent, high‑quality employee experience. This role manages a team of payroll professionals that play a critical role in supporting business continuity, scalability, and trust by serving as the primary partner for payroll support for designated countries within the region.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and develop a multi‑country regional payroll organization, providing strategic direction, performance management, and capability building for a geographically dispersed team of payroll professionals. Advocate for talent development, succession planning, and engagement while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, service excellence, and continuous improvement aligned with the GHRS vision.
• Oversee regional payroll activities to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing across countries, in alignment with local legislation, statutory requirements, company policies, and global standards. Ensure payroll systems, processes, and controls support regional and global HR strategies, business continuity, and risk mitigation.
• Oversee payroll systems to ensure ongoing adherence to, and operational alignment with, payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls covering pay, benefits, taxes, deductions, incentives, commissions, bonuses, and recordkeeping. Drive regional harmonization of payroll fulfillment activities by standardizing processes, strengthening controls, and partnering with BHR, C&B, Finance, and Legal stakeholders to enhance scalability and operational efficiency.
• Serve as the primary regional point of contact and escalation leader for business leaders, HR partners, and employees on highly complex payroll matters. Anticipate issues, manage risk, and drive timely resolution while maintaining composure in high‑impact situations and delivering an exceptional, concierge‑level customer experience.
• Own payroll performance for designated countries within the region, driving consistent, high‑quality payroll delivery. Apply data, metrics, and the GHRS matrix to identify trends, address root causes, and improve payroll accuracy, efficiency, and service outcomes.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education Level: Bachelors Degree (± 16 years)

Experience Details:

• Minimum 7 years at a people manager level with experience in payroll, HR or shared services.
• Minimum 10 years in payroll, HR or related field.
• Experience working in a global company, with matrix organizations and multiple cultures.
• Experience with payroll systems, contact center technologies, CRM or Service Ticket applications, and Workday System ofRecord or similar.

The base pay for this position is N/A. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

JOB FAMILY: HR Operations
DIVISION: CHR Corporate Human Resources
LOCATION: Malaysia > Selangor : Imazium, No. 8, Jalan SS 21/37
ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS:
WORK SHIFT: Standard
TRAVEL: Not specified
MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: Not Applicable
SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES: Not Applicable

Abbott is about the power of health. For more than 135 years, Abbott has been helping people reach their potential — because better health allows people and communities to achieve more. With a diverse, global network serving customers in more than 160 countries, we create new solutions — across the spectrum of health, around the world, for all stages of life. Whether it’s next‑generation diagnostics, life‑changing devices, science‑based nutrition, or novel reformulations, we are advancing some of the most innovative and revolutionary technologies in healthcare, helping people live their best lives through better health. The people of Abbott come to work each day with relentless energy, enthusiasm and a promise to enhance the health and well‑being of millions of people. They push the boundaries to help manage and treat some of life’s greatest health challenges. We invite you to explore opportunities at Abbott, to see if your talents and career aspirations may fit with our openings.

An equal opportunity employer, Abbott welcomes and encourages diversity in our workforce.