The Team Leader – BAU is responsible for overseeing payroll operations to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll delivery for clients. This role leads a team of payroll specialists, drives process optimization and automation, and ensures service excellence. The Team Leader works closely with the Manager – BAU and cross-functional teams to enhance payroll delivery, compliance, and digital transformation initiatives.
Payroll Operations & Service Delivery
- Lead and supervise payroll specialists delivering multi-regional payroll services
- Oversee end-to-end payroll processing, including data validation, reconciliation, and reporting
- Ensure compliance with local and international tax, labor, and statutory regulations
- Review payroll calculations, deductions, and adjustments prior to final processing
- Ensure adherence to SLAs, payroll calendars, and client requirements
- Proactively identify and resolve payroll discrepancies; conduct root cause analysis
- Prepare and review payroll reports, statutory filings, and audit documentation
- Stay current on regulatory changes and ensure timely implementation
People Leadership & Team Development
- Mentor, coach, and support payroll specialists on best practices and compliance
- Conduct performance reviews, goal setting, and feedback sessions
- Identify skill gaps and implement training and cross-skilling initiatives
- Ensure fair workload distribution and promote collaboration and knowledge sharing
- Support succession planning and career development within the team
Process Improvement & Automation
- Identify operational inefficiencies and drive automation initiatives
- Collaborate with IT and leadership to implement RPA, AI, and digital workflows
- Standardize payroll processes across regions for consistency and scalability
- Develop, maintain, and enforce payroll SOPs
- Support implementation of new payroll systems, tools, and integrations
Data Governance & Compliance
- Ensure payroll data accuracy, confidentiality, and security
- Implement payroll governance and risk mitigation controls
- Conduct regular payroll audits and support regulatory and internal audits
- Work with Compliance and Legal teams on payroll-related regulatory matters
Client & Stakeholder Management
- Act as escalation point for payroll-related issues and client queries
- Support governance meetings, SLA reviews, and service performance discussions
- Assist with client onboarding and transitions
- Collaborate with HR, Finance, IT, and Compliance teams to improve workflows
Performance Monitoring & Reporting
- Track payroll KPIs including accuracy, timeliness, compliance, and SLAs
- Provide regular performance reports and insights to the Manager – BAU
- Support continuous improvement initiatives aligned with business objectives
- Strong leadership and people management skills
- High attention to detail and analytical capability
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Strong problem-solving and time management abilities
- Proficiency in payroll systems, SaaS platforms, ERP/HCM tools, Microsoft Office, and Google Workspace
- In-depth knowledge of payroll compliance and data confidentiality
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, HR, or related field (Master’s preferred)
- 7+ years of experience in global payroll operations, including 2+ years in a leadership role
- Proven experience managing multi-regional payroll and compliance
- Strong background in payroll technology, automation, and systems integrations