Payroll Risk & Compliance Lead - APAC

Remote; Malaysia; Remote; MYR 171,000 - 388,000; Full time

Job summary

A global company is seeking a Payroll Risk & Compliance Lead responsible for ensuring payroll compliance within the APAC region. This role requires expertise in payroll legislation and the ability to lead audits, engage with regulatory authorities, and drive strategic improvements across payroll operations. The ideal candidate should have strong analytical and communication skills, and a proven track record in compliance management. Competitive compensation and flexible working arrangements are offered.

Benefits

Budget for local in-person social events

Flexible working hours

Qualifications

• Proven track record in managing regulatory compliance.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, international environment.

Responsibilities

• Be the technical lead on payroll compliance for APAC.
• Lead country-specific payroll audits and identify areas for improvement.
• Drive process improvements and automation to enhance payroll efficiency.

Skills

Deep expertise in payroll legislation

Experience in payroll compliance

Strong analytical skills

Excellent communication skills

Proactive and strategic mindset

Experience in leading process improvements

Fluency in English

Job description

What this job can offer you

This is an exciting opportunity to take a leading role in payroll compliance in the APAC region, with a primary focus on APAC. As Payroll Risk & Compliance Lead, you will act as the subject matter expert for payroll and employment legislation in your region, ensuring full compliance while driving strategic improvements across processes, policies, and systems.

You will lead audits, proactively identify risks, and collaborate with internal teams to enhance payroll accuracy and efficiency. As a trusted advisor, you will support the Payroll Operations team and other key stakeholders by providing expert guidance on compliance matters. You will also play a key role in resolving regulatory challenges, managing internal audits, and driving high-impact projects that improve our global payroll capabilities.

What you bring

• Deep expertise in payroll legislation, employment tax, and social security regulations in APAC.
• Experience in payroll compliance, payroll operations, or payroll audit within a multinational environment.
• Proven track record in managing regulatory compliance, handling authority audits, and resolving payroll-related compliance issues.
• Strong analytical skills, with experience in data analysis, reconciliations, and risk identification.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to explain complex regulatory topics clearly and effectively.
• Proactive and strategic mindset, capable of identifying opportunities for improvement and driving meaningful change.
• Experience in leading process improvements, including automation, system enhancements, and operational efficiencies.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, international, and largely asynchronous environment.
• Fluency in English.

Key Responsibilities

• Be the technical lead on payroll and employment legislation for APAC, ensuring compliance with wage tax laws, social security regulations, and employment policies.
• Lead country-specific payroll audits, identifying risks, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement, and drive solutions through to implementation.
• Resolve compliance matters efficiently, engaging with tax authorities, legal advisors, and internal teams to address audits, disputes, and inquiries.
• Act as a strategic advisor to Payroll Operations and Product teams, ensuring our payroll processes remain robust and scalable.
• Drive process improvements and automation, optimising workflows to enhance payroll accuracy and efficiency.
• Lead and support high-impact projects, influencing the development of payroll processes, compliance frameworks, and operational strategies.
• Deliver training and support on compliance matters to payroll and cross-functional teams.

Remote Compensation Philosophy

Remote's Total Rewards philosophy is to ensure fair, unbiased compensation and fair equity pay along with competitive benefits in all locations in which we operate. We do not engage in cheap-labor practices and pay above in-location rates. We hope to inspire other companies to support global talent-hiring and bring local wealth to developing countries.

At a glance, our salary bands seem wide. We use geo ranges to consider geographic pay differentials as part of our global compensation strategy to remain competitive while hiring globally.

The base salary range for this full-time position is between $40,700 USD and $91,650 USD. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level and location, and our job titles may span more than one career level. The actual base pay for the successful candidate in this role is dependent upon many factors such as location, transferable or job-related skills, work experience, relevant training, business needs, and market demands. The base salary range may be subject to change.

Practicals

• You'll report to: Manager, Global Payroll Strategy & Compliance
• Team: Global Payroll Risk and Compliance

Our full benefits and perks are explained in our handbook at remote.com/r/benefits. As a global company, each country works differently, but some benefits/perks are for all Remoters:

• Budget for local in-person social events or co-working spaces

How you’ll plan your day (and life)

We work asynchronously at Remote, which means you can plan your schedule around your life and not around meetings.

You will be empowered to take ownership and be proactive. When in doubt you will default to action instead of waiting. Your life-work balance is important and you will be encouraged to put yourself and your family first, and fit work around your needs.

If that sounds like something you want, apply now!

Voluntary Self-Identification Questions

Remote is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and believes in reflecting diverse backgrounds, identities, and experiences. The information collected here is voluntary, anonymous, and used to inform our hiring strategies. Participation has no impact on hiring outcomes.

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• Please confirm you consent your self-identification data to be processed for the listed purposes

Visit the Remote Handbook to read more about how diversity, equity, and inclusion are a part of Remote.