Manager / Senior Manager (Total Rewards, Performance Management & Payroll)

Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA); Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) seeks a Manager/Senior Manager to lead Total Rewards, Performance Management and Payroll. You will shape people policies, govern governance across rewards, payroll and organisation design, and drive data-informed HR solutions.

You will work with senior leaders and partners to implement programmes in line with public service standards, ensuring data integrity and efficient processes in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical and numerical skills with the ability to interpret data and identify trends.
• Experience designing and implementing policies and frameworks with strategic alignment.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and complex stakeholder environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end policy development and governance across HR domains (performance, rewards, payroll, org design).
• Drive performance management frameworks and annual appraisal processes.
• Develop and administer total rewards strategies including salary structures, benefits, bonuses, and leave policies.
• Oversee payroll governance: validation, processing, billing, reconciliation, and vendor management.
• Lead organisation design and job evaluation initiatives.
• Leverage HR analytics to evaluate policy effectiveness and guide decisions.
• Collaborate with internal/external partners to optimize HR systems (Workday) and drive implementations.
• Build partnerships with senior management and external vendors to deliver HR initiatives.
• Undertake additional duties supporting HR priorities.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Numerical skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

HR analytics

Workday

Policy development

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR / Business / Public Policy / Economics / Finance / Data Analytics

Tools

Workday

Job description

What the role is

As a Manager / Senior Manager (Total Rewards, Performance Management & Payroll), you will play a strategic HR role in shaping and delivering the organisation's people policies and practices across total rewards, performance management, payroll and organisation design. You will drive the end-to-end lifecycle of these functions—from policy formulation and governance to implementation, operations and continuous improvement—to support organisational priorities and an exceptional employee experience.

What the role is

Working closely with senior leaders, divisions and external partners, you will translate policy intent into practical, well-governed and effective HR solutions. You will also leverage data and insights to inform decision‑making, strengthen HR processes and ensure that programmes are implemented consistently, accurately and in line with organisational and public service requirements.

This role requires strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, sound judgement, and a keen eye for detail. You should be comfortable working with data, HR systems (including Workday), and multiple stakeholders and vendors to drive outcomes in a dynamic and evolving environment.

You will thrive in a fast‑paced environment where you are expected to manage multiple priorities, navigate complexity, and balance strategic thinking with operational excellence.

What you will be working on

• Lead end‑to‑end policy development and governance across key HR domains, including performance management, total rewards, payroll and organisation design—from policy formulation and implementation to governance, continuous review and process improvement.
• Drive performance management frameworks and processes, including the annual appraisal cycle, performance calibration, promotion exercises, performance improvement processes and related policy reviews, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives and Public Service guidelines.
• Develop and administer total rewards strategies and programmes, including scheme of service, salary structures, compensation and benefits, bonuses, allowances and leave policies, to ensure market competitiveness, internal equity and sound governance.
• Oversee payroll governance and operations, including payroll validation, monthly payroll processing, billing and reconciliation, vendor management, resolution of complex payroll matters, and compliance with statutory and organisational requirements while safeguarding the confidentiality of employee information.
• Lead organisation design and job evaluation initiatives, including organisational restructuring, redesignation exercises, establishment reviews and job evaluation, to ensure organisational structures remain fit for purpose and aligned with workforce and business needs.
• Leverage HR analytics and workforce insights to evaluate the effectiveness of people policies and programmes, identify trends, conduct benchmarking and provide evidence‑based recommendations to support strategic HR and management decision‑making.
• Partner internal and external stakeholders to optimise HR systems and digital solutions (including Workday), drive system enhancements, ensure data integrity, and support the successful implementation of HR initiatives and process improvements.
• Build strong partnerships with senior management, divisions, government agencies and external vendors to provide strategic HR advice, manage cross‑functional projects and drive successful implementation of people initiatives.
• Undertake other duties and projects as assigned to support organisational and Human Resource Division priorities.

What we are looking for

• A tertiary qualification in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Policy, Economics, Finance, Data Analytics, or a related discipline.
• At least 4–7 years of relevant experience in policy development, HR, corporate planning, strategy, compensation and benefits, organisation design, finance, workforce planning or other related functions.
• Experience in the Singapore Public Service or a large, complex organisation will be an advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to design, review and implement policies and frameworks, while balancing strategic objectives with operational feasibility.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills, with the ability to interpret complex data, identify trends and translate insights into practical recommendations.
• Comfortable working with large datasets and HR systems (e.g. Workday), with experience in data analysis, reporting and ensuring data integrity across multiple systems.
• Strong project management and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across different functions, seniority levels, agencies and external vendors.
• Meticulous, resourceful and solutions‑oriented, with strong judgement, attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• A continuous improvement mindset, with the ability to review processes, leverage technology and drive operational excellence.

As part of the shortlisting process for this role, candidates may be required to complete a medical declaration and/or undergo further assessment.