Senior Payroll Advisor, APAC (Contract)

About the Role

We are seeking a highly motivated and autonomous payroll professional to act as the dedicated Country Champion and Subject Matter Expert (SME) for a targeted cluster of 3 to 5 countries. While remaining an individual contributor, you will oversee country-level deliverables, ensure statutory and regulatory compliance, and provide indirect guidance, coaching, and day-to-day support to a small team of payroll processors. Beyond operational delivery, you will lead high-impact payroll transformation, digitalization, and automation initiatives to scale efficiency and elevate the employee experience

• Location: Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
• Work Mode: Flexible office & remote
• Contract: 12 months, renewable

Key Responsibilities

• Direct Country Processing & Operations: Manage end-to-end payroll operations for a cluster of 3 to 5 countries, ensuring timely and accurate delivery.
• Compliance & Governance: Ensure payroll is delivered strictly in compliance with statutory, regulatory, and company requirements, governing robust payroll controls, audits, and risk management.
• Country SME & Stakeholder Advisory: Serve as the regional subject matter expert and trusted point of contact for local HR, Finance, external vendors, and statutory agencies for your assigned countries.
• Project & Automation Leadership: Drive payroll transformation initiatives, process optimization, automation, and system enhancements to scale efficiency and reduce manual workloads.
• Indirect Team Support & Guidance: Provide day-to-day coaching, mentoring, and support to junior team members or processors supporting your cluster, fostering capability development and operational resilience.
• Process Documentation: Maintain and continuously enhance payroll policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), process documentation, and control checklists.

Requirements

• Degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
• At least 8 years of hands-on payroll experience, with solid experience directly executing multi-country payroll operations.
• Demonstrated experience or strong interest in payroll transformation, automation, or digitalization initiatives.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities independently as a hands-on processor while effectively collaborating across teams and guiding others.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Remuneration

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

Consultant in charge

• Kim Tan | kim.tan@hunters-in.com