Payroll Manager

Payroll Manager – (Global Scope) - Malaysia

Our client, a pioneering developer and operator of next-generation digital infrastructure, is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to lead payroll operations across 10 countries. This role will ensure payroll is processed accurately, efficiently, and compliantly while managing regional payroll vendors, aligning processes with local regulations, and driving continuous improvement.

The Role

The Payroll Manager will oversee end-to-end payroll operations across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Spain, Finland, and the USA. The successful candidate will ensure compliance with tax and labour regulations, manage external vendors, and partner with internal HR, Finance, and Tax teams to maintain seamless processes. This is a high-impact role requiring strong expertise in payroll governance, system optimisation, and stakeholder management.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead multi-country payroll operations, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and timeliness.
• Manage statutory contributions, tax filings, and labour law adherence in each country.
• Partner with vendors and internal teams to align payroll processes with company standards.
• Oversee payroll reconciliations, reporting, and audit requirements.
• Manage vendor relationships, monitoring performance and resolving escalations.
• Implement payroll automation and process improvements for efficiency and scalability.
• Optimise payroll systems (e.g., Workday, Deel) and ensure data integrity.
• Utilise advanced Excel (PivotTables, VLOOKUP, Macros) for reporting and analysis.
• Support audits, year-end reporting, and compliance with data privacy regulations (GDPR, PDPA, CCPA).

Candidate Profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, HR, or related field.
• 8+ years of payroll experience, with at least 5 years in a multi-country/regional capacity.
• Strong knowledge of payroll, tax laws, and compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
• Proven experience managing vendors and outsourced payroll services.
• Proficiency in payroll/HR systems (e.g., Workday, Deel).
• Advanced Excel skills for data reconciliation and reporting.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and ability to collaborate across geographies.
• Fluency in English; additional languages relevant to supported countries are advantageous.

The Opportunity

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a global leader in digital infrastructure and take ownership of payroll operations across multiple international markets. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in ensuring financial compliance and operational efficiency while contributing to the company’s continued expansion worldwide.