Payroll Manager

Dentsu Apac; Kuala Lumpur; Hybrid; MYR 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global marketing firm is seeking a Payroll Manager (SEA Payroll Cluster Lead) in Kuala Lumpur. You will oversee payroll operations across Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Thailand, ensuring accuracy and compliance. The ideal candidate has at least 8 years of payroll experience, strong leadership skills, and proficiency in Workday. This role offers a flexible hybrid working arrangement and opportunities for career development, making it perfect for detail-oriented leaders ready for impactful work.

Benefits

Flexible hybrid working arrangement

Dedication volunteer leave

Wellness days off

Career Development opportunities

Recognition through awards

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in end-to-end payroll operations, including team management.
• Experience with multi-country payroll across Southeast Asia.
• Proven track record of leading payroll transformation initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Oversee payroll operations across multiple countries in Southeast Asia.
• Lead and coach payroll specialists in the cluster.
• Manage vendor partnerships and performance governance.

Skills

Payroll operations management

Team leadership

Vendor management

Root cause analysis

Workday proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, or related field

Tools

Workday

Job description

Job Description:

Dentsu is a global leader in integrated growth and transformation, driving sustainable solutions and innovation for some of the world's most influential brands. Founded in 1901, dentsu operates in approximately 120 countries with a team of approximately 68,000 employees, and boasts a network of world-class brands, including Carat, Dentsu Creative, dentsu X, iProspect, Merkle, and more. These brands, each with deep expertise in media, creativity, and digital, collaborate to deliver integrated growth solutions that create lasting, meaningful impact.

As we look toward the future, dentsu is focused on Innovating to impact, fostering collaboration, creativity, and cutting-edge technology to drive real, transformative change.

What your typical day will look like:

This role is designed for a seasoned payroll professional who has seen scale, complexity, and transformation, and still finds pride in getting the details right. As the Payroll Manager (SEA Payroll Cluster Lead), you’ll combine deep hands‑on payroll expertise with regional leadership, ensuring payroll runs flawlessly today while shaping how it evolves across Southeast Asia.

You’ll lead governance and transformation across multiple countries, while staying close enough to the work to spot issues early, coach teams effectively, and step in when it matters most.

Core responsibilities include:

• Own and oversee end‑to‑end payroll operations across Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Thailand, remaining hands‑on where needed to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Serve as the regional escalation point for complex payroll matters, leading root cause analysis and personally guiding resolution when required.
• Lead, coach, and support payroll specialists across the cluster, balancing leadership with day‑to‑day operational involvement.
• Manage and optimize vendor partnerships, including performance governance, transitions, and outsourcing strategy.
• Drive payroll harmonization, optimization, and transformation initiatives, while ensuring business continuity and operational resilience.

A bit about you:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
• At least 8 years of experience end to end payroll operations including team management, with deep multi‑country exposure across Southeast Asia and Shared Services or regional payroll hub experience preferred.
• Proficient in Workday, experience in managing payroll with in‑house and outsourcing is an added advantage.
• Proven ability to lead payroll transformation initiatives while staying operationally engaged.
• A grounded, detail‑oriented leader who is comfortable rolling up their sleeves, building trust with teams, and partnering closely with HR, Finance, and senior stakeholders.

What’s in it for you :

• Flexible hybrid working arrangement.
• The opportunity to give back with dedicated volunteer leave and our whole‑company event, One Day for Change.
• 3 whole company Wellness days off per year for you to switch off and take your day, your way.
• Career Development and Learning & Development opportunities, including access to our global online dentsu University.
• Be part of a global network that truly invests in recognising performance with via our Never Before Awards, and social impact, including having a clearly mapped path to becoming net zero.

Innovating to Impact:

At dentsu, our diverse and inclusive culture empowers our employees to bring their whole selves to work, fostering innovation and delivering better outcomes for our people, clients, and communities. This culture is key to driving sustainable, transformative results across the business.

We actively encourage applications from people with disabilities and from individuals of all ages, backgrounds, nationalities, and cultures. If you want to be part of a global network where opportunities are limitless, we look forward to welcoming you.

Next Steps

Sound exactly like the sort of role for you? Apply now!

Location: Kuala Lumpur

Brand: Dentsu Apac

Time Type: Full time

Contract Type: Permanent