Payroll Senior Specialist, HR Services

AstraZeneca; Petaling Jaya; On-site; MYR 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global biopharmaceutical company located in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, is seeking an experienced payroll professional to manage payroll operations for a large population. This role requires a Bachelor's degree and 5-8 years of HR generalist and payroll experience. Ideal candidates will have excellent understanding of taxation schemes and strong communication skills. You will be responsible for ensuring compliance with payroll processes and collaborating with various teams to enhance operational efficiency. Join a company committed to diversity and professional growth.

Qualifications

• 5-8 years of HR generalist and payroll experience.
• Excellent understanding of insurance and taxation schemes.
• Ability to influence leaders and work collaboratively.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage payroll activities for the month.
• Coordinate with team for monthly payroll inputs.
• Ensure timely compliance with tax and statutory requirements.

Skills

HR generalist experience

Payroll management

Taxation schemes understanding

Strong communication skills

Collaboration with large teams

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in any field

Job description

AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven BioPharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious disease. But we’re more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. We are trusted partners who are connected and integrated across the global enterprise, working closely with all functions from Commercial to Manufacturing. It opens up greater development opportunities for more responsibility on a global scale.

Join a team that supports the delivery of life-changing medicines for patients by enabling the rest of the business to run effectively and harness our transformative science. We’re on a journey of growth and evolution – to find better ways to translate value for the business and our patients.

Working within the HR Services function, this role will be responsible for handling payroll operation and related systems for a large population. This role operates largely independently, responsible for implementing payroll procedures for local/international assignees as laid down, either manually or on an information technology system. Will ensure that the standards of accuracy and the timing requirements of the payroll(s) are met. The job involves taxation, social insurance and statutory compliance. Will perform a second-tier query resolution and handle any non-routine queries from employees and line managers.

Accountabilities

• Planning the payroll activities for the month and monitor on the execution of the planned activities.
• Manage workflow to ensure all payroll transactions are processed accurately & timely.
• Coordinate with team and other stakeholders for the monthly payroll inputs.
• Independently review payroll reports and reconciliations.
• Propose improvement plans for the whole process.
• Liaison with all stakeholders, focusing on strengthening relationships.
• Develop and maintain vendor relationships, ensuring effective coordination.
• Coordinate with peers and collaborators for seamless operations.
• Plan payroll and bonus activities and monitor the execution of planned activities for employees, including international assignees.
• Coordinate with the Global Payroll team or the external vendor for International Assignees Payroll input.
• Compile summaries of earnings, taxes, social insurance, other deductions, and non-taxable wages.
• Understand local tax and social insurance requirements of employers.
• Ensure statutory payments are remitted within stipulated cut-off dates.
• Ensure statutory monthly/annual filings are completed on time.
• Plan year-end adjustments by coordinating with payroll vendors for employees for final tax computation.
• Handle statutory audits and internal, risk, and compliance audits, including adherence to company policies.
• Maintain employee confidence by keeping payroll and benefits information confidential.
• Conduct monthly review meetings with vendors and stakeholders.
• Develop ad hoc financial and operational reporting as needed.
• Interpret policies and procedures to address employee queries.
• Participate in special projects as required.

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in any field.
• Minimum 5 - 8 years HR generalist and payroll experience.
• Excellent understanding of insurance and taxation schemes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to influence leaders with gravitas to act as a trusted advisor.
• Ability to work collaboratively with large teams.
• Experience of working in a multi-national organisation.
• Experience in Philippines, Australia and New Zealand payroll will be added advantage.

At AstraZeneca we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration, and always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development. We’re on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare.

AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer. We will consider all qualified applicants for employment without discrimination on grounds of disability, sex or sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity leave status, race or national or ethnic origin, age, religion or belief, gender identity or re-assignment, marital or civil partnership status, protected veteran status (if applicable) or any other characteristic protected by law. We only employ individuals with the right to work in the country/ies where the role is advertised.

Date Posted

16-Dec-2025

Closing Date

15-Jan-2026

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.