Senior Payroll Specialist, APAC

Hunters International Sdn Bhd; Petaling Jaya; Hybrid; MYR 78,000 - 112,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Completion bonus

Other benefits

Job summary

Hunters International Sdn Bhd in Petaling Jaya is seeking an experienced payroll leader to manage end-to-end payroll operations across APAC, driving transformation and process excellence.

You will partner with HR, Finance, and external vendors to deliver accurate, compliant payroll, implement automation, and support regional projects.

Qualifications

• Degree in HR, Finance, or related field.
• 8+ years in payroll operations, multi-country preferred.
• Strong analytical and project management skills.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with payroll automation is a plus.

Responsibilities

• End-to-End Payroll Delivery: Manage accurate, timely multi-country payroll processing in APAC.
• Stakeholder & Vendor Engagement: Serve HR, Finance, vendors, and external agencies to ensure service excellence.
• Governance, Compliance & Controls: Maintain payroll controls, audits, reconciliations, risk mgmt.
• Transformation & Automation: Lead payroll transformation, automation, and digitalization initiatives.
• System Implementations & Projects: Support payroll tech upgrades, integrations, regional/global projects.
• Change Management: Lead stakeholder communications, training, and adoption planning.
• Documentation & Policies: Create/update payroll SOPs, policies, and control checklists.
• Process Standardization: Identify opportunities to standardize workflows and reduce risk.
• SME & Coaching: Troubleshoot issues, mentor junior staff, build capability.
• Cross-Regional Collaboration: Work with regional teams for resilience and learning.

Skills

Payroll management

APAC experience

Stakeholder management

Process improvement

Automation

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Finance

Job description

About the company:

Our client is leading the digital transformation of energy management and automation.

Location:

Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Work Mode: Hybrid
Contract: 12 month

About the Role

Manage end-to-end payroll operations across a cluster of countries (APAC), while driving payroll transformation, digitalization, and process excellence initiatives. This role partners with regional stakeholders to deliver timely, accurate, compliant, employee-centered payroll services and support ongoing organizational change.

Key Responsibilities

• End-to-End Payroll Delivery: Manage accurate, timely, and compliant multi-country payroll processing, checking, and delivery in line with statutory and company standards.
• Stakeholder & Vendor Engagement: Act as a trusted payroll advisor and primary contact for HR, Finance, vendors, and external agencies to ensure service excellence and issue resolution.
• Governance, Compliance & Controls: Govern payroll controls, compliance requirements, audits, reconciliations, and risk management to maintain a robust control environment.
• Transformation & Automation: Lead payroll transformation, process optimization, automation, and digitalization to improve operational efficiency, scalability, and employee experience.
• System Implementations & Projects: Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to support payroll system implementations, technology enhancements, integrations, and regional/global projects (including acquisitions, transitions, and new country deployments).
• Change Management: Drive change management activities, including stakeholder engagement, communication planning, training, and adoption strategies.
• Documentation & Policies: Develop, maintain, and enhance payroll policies, standard operating procedures, documentation, control checklists, and knowledge repositories.
• Process Standardization: Identify opportunities to standardize workflows, strengthen governance, reduce operational risks, and embed industry best practices.
• Subject Matter Expertise & Coaching: Serve as a process SME by troubleshooting complex issues, coaching junior team members, and fostering capability development.
• Cross-Regional Collaboration: Collaborate with teammates across regions to ensure operational resilience, business continuity, and a culture of continuous learning.

Requirements

• Degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
• At least 8 years of payroll experience.
• Experience in payroll operations, preferably in multiple countries.
• Solid understanding of payroll processes, compliance, and controls.
• Effective analytical, project management, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to solve problems and collaborate effectively across teams.
• Able to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience in payroll transformation or automation is an advantage.

Remuneration

• Basic salary: RM7,000 - RM10,000
• Completion bonus
• Other benefits