Payroll Executive

Dragon Cruises (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd; Johor Bahru; On-site; MYR 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cruise company in Johor Bahru is seeking a Payroll Executive to manage end-to-end payroll operations. The ideal candidate should have 2–5 years of payroll experience, preferably in the cruise or hospitality sectors, ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing. Responsibilities include compliance with labor laws, HR collaboration, and maintaining payroll systems. Ideal candidates will demonstrate high attention to detail, strong analytical skills, and have a relevant degree. This role is crucial for maintaining payroll accuracy and compliance in an international setting.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years of payroll experience, ideally in cruise, marine, or hospitality industries.
• Familiarity with international crew payroll and maritime statutory compliance.
• Experience in high-volume payroll and complex pay structures is a strong advantage.

Responsibilities

• Manage full-cycle payroll for cruise and hospitality employees.
• Ensure compliance with international labor laws and local taxation.
• Work closely with HR on onboarding and benefits administration.
• Identify improvements for payroll process efficiency.

Skills

Strong knowledge of payroll systems

Attention to detail

Proficiency in MS Office

Strong analytical skills

Ability to work collaboratively

Education

Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in HR, Accounting, Finance

Tools

Payroll software

HRIS

Job description

Dragon Cruises (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd – Johor Bahru, Johor

We are seeking a highly skilled Payroll Executive to manage end-to-end payroll operations for our cruise and hospitality workforce. The role ensures accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing for onboard and onshore employees, while working closely with HR on onboarding, benefits administration, and workforce reporting. Experience in the cruise, marine, or hospitality industries is strongly preferred due to exposure to international staffing, multicultural teams, complex pay structures, and variable allowances. The ideal candidate will demonstrate precision, confidentiality, and a proactive approach to payroll and HR operations.

Key Responsibilities

1. Payroll Processing & Administration

• Manage full-cycle payroll for cruise, hospitality, and corporate employees.
• Process salaries, allowances, overtime, bonuses, commissions, deductions, and arrears.
• Verify attendance, leave balances, and onboard/offshore working hours before payroll processing.
• Maintain accurate payroll records for new hires, terminations, promotions, and salary revisions.
• Generate pay slips, payroll summaries, and HR/Finance reports.
• Ensure timely disbursement through banking or approved payment methods.

2. Statutory Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure compliance with international labor laws, maritime regulations, local taxation, and statutory contributions (Malaysia & Singapore).
• Prepare and submit statutory filings such as PF, ESI, taxes, and social security.
• Reconcile payroll accounts and provide reports for audits.

3. HR Collaboration

• Work closely with HR on onboarding, benefits administration, leave management, and crew management systems.
• Respond to payroll-related employee queries promptly and confidentially.
• Provide insights on payroll costs, workforce trends, and HR impacts.
• Support HR in performance management and engagement programs for cruise and hospitality staff.

4. Process Improvement & Systems Management

• Identify and implement payroll process improvements for efficiency and accuracy.
• Maintain and update payroll software, HRIS systems, and reporting tools.
• Ensure accurate reconciliation and integration between HR, Finance, and Payroll systems.

Key Skills

• Strong knowledge of payroll systems, labor laws, statutory compliance, and maritime/cruise payroll regulations (Malaysia & Singapore labour law).
• High accuracy, attention to detail, and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Proficiency in MS Office, payroll software, HRIS, and crew management systems.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with HR, Finance, and operational teams.

Experience & Qualifications

• Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in HR, Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 2–5 years of payroll experience, ideally in cruise, marine, or hospitality industries.
• Familiarity with international crew payroll, multicultural workforce management, and maritime statutory compliance.
• Experience in high-volume payroll and complex pay structures is a strong advantage.