Senior Payroll Manager (APAC)

hudson singapore; Singapore; On-site; SGD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Hudson Singapore is seeking an experienced Senior Payroll Manager (APAC) to lead regional payroll operations across Asia Pacific, including governance, outsourcing partnerships, and compliance. The role focuses on transforming processes, standardizing practices, and building organizational capability through strong leadership and development.

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 10 years in regional payroll with 3–4 years in management, deep knowledge of payroll regulations, SOX controls,

Qualifications

• Degree with minimum 10 years of regional payroll experience in an MNC or SSC environment.
• In-depth knowledge of payroll principles, statutory regulations, SOX and internal controls.
• Experience managing outsourced payroll providers and vendor governance.
• Strong regional payroll leadership across multiple Asia-Pacific countries.
• Hands-on RSU/equity administration and executive remuneration reporting experience.
• Proven vendor management capabilities and service-delivery oversight.
• Stakeholder management and senior leadership partnering skills.
• Experience driving payroll transformation, system implementations and process improvements.
• Ability to navigate complex regulatory environments and large-scale payroll initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead payroll operations across APAC countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, China, Japan and Korea.
• Oversee outsourced payroll partnerships, vendor governance, performance management, and risk management.
• Drive regional payroll strategy, standardization, automation, and scalable operating models.
• Coordinate payroll-related financial reporting, including executive payroll, equity administration, proxy disclosures, accruals, and statutory reporting.
• Lead payroll transformation projects, vendor transitions, and process optimization.
• Provide strategic leadership for APAC payroll with hands-on involvement in reviews, audits, escalations, and complex payroll matters.

Job description

Our client is looking for an experienced Senior Payroll Manager (APAC) to lead regional payroll operations, providing oversight of payroll governance, vendor performance, compliance, operational controls, and process improvement initiatives. As the regional payroll Subject Matter Expert (SME), the role partners with key stakeholders to ensure accurate and compliant payroll delivery, drive operational excellence, and build organizational capability through strong team leadership and development.

You will be:

• Leading payroll operations across APAC countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, China, Japan, and Korea.
• Providing strategic oversight of outsourced payroll partnerships, driving vendor governance, service performance, risk management, and continuous improvement to ensure operational excellence and business continuity
• Driving regional payroll strategy and transformation through process standardization, automation, system enhancements, and scalable operating models that enhance efficiency, compliance, and employee experience
• Overseeing payroll-related compensation and financial reporting activities, including executive payroll, equity administration, proxy disclosures, accruals, and statutory reporting, partnering with HR, Finance, and Global Compensation & Benefits to ensure accuracy, compliance, and governance
• Leading payroll-related projects and strategic initiatives, including payroll transformation, vendor transitions, and process optimization to support evolving business and organizational needs
• Providing strategic leadership for payroll operations across Asia Pacific while maintaining hands-on involvement in critical reviews, controls, audits, escalations, and complex payroll matters to ensure accuracy, compliance, and operational excellence

The ideal candidate should have:

• Degree with minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in regional payroll operations, with at least 3–4 years in a managerial or team leadership capacity, within a multinational corporation (MNC) or shared services center (SSC) environment. Experience managing payroll across multiple Asia countries is preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of payroll principles, statutory regulations and compliance frameworks including SOX and internal controls. Knowledge of payroll governance, risk management, and data privacy requirements is essential.
• Experience managing outsourced payroll providers, including vendor governance, service delivery, performance management, and issue resolution.
• Strong regional payroll leadership experience across multiple countries, with the ability to manage complex payroll operations in a multinational environment.
• Hands-on experience with RSU/equity administration and executive remuneration reporting, preferably within a US-listed or similarly complex publicly listed company environment.
• Proven vendor management capabilities, including oversight of payroll providers, governance, service delivery, and issue resolution.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to partner effectively with senior leaders, HR, Finance, Tax, Legal, and external vendors.
• Demonstrated payroll transformation and project leadership experience, including system implementations, process improvements, outsourcing transitions, or operating model enhancements.
• Ability to operate in complex and evolving environments, with examples of managing significant challenges, organizational change, regulatory requirements, or large-scale payroll initiatives.
• Strong leadership and people management capabilities, beyond payroll operations, with evidence of leading teams, driving accountability, and influencing outcomes across functions.
• Executive presence and business partnership mindset, capable of engaging senior leadership and supporting strategic payroll-related decisions.
• Prior experience to multiple/off-cycle payroll runs for direct labours, with exposure to reviewing and managing of payroll for clocking in employees

Due to the overwhelming volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.