Assistant Manager-Payroll

Location: Mumbai

Function: HD Finance
Requisition ID: 1036601

The team:

The payroll team is responsible for processing employee salaries, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely disbursement every pay cycle. The team manages all statutory obligations including PF, ESIC, PT, income tax, and other regulatory filings ensuring full adherence to government guidelines. The payroll team acts as the primary support channel for employees’ compensation-related queries, offering clear guidance and prompt resolutions. They maintain high standards of data accuracy and confidentiality, managing sensitive employee and financial information with utmost responsibility. Payroll works closely with HR, Finance, and compliance teams to ensure seamless processes, accurate inputs, and continuous improvements in payroll efficiency.

The role:

The Assistant Manager - Payroll will support end-to-end payroll operations for India entities, ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely payroll delivery. This role requires strong hands-on experience in India payroll processing, statutory compliance, payroll accounting, and audits, along with the ability to partner closely with the Payroll Manager, HR, Finance, and external vendors. The incumbent will play a critical role in maintaining payroll governance, supporting system enhancements, and driving operational efficiency.

Key Responsibilities:

• Payroll Operations & Delivery
  • Execute and manage end-to-end India payroll processing for multiple entities, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.
  • Handle day-to-day payroll activities including salary processing, arrears, bonus, reimbursements, final settlements, and statutory deductions.
  • Ensure accurate processing of base pay, variable pay, statutory benefits, supplemental benefits, and payroll taxes.
  • Validate payroll inputs, review outputs, and resolve discrepancies proactively.
• Compliance, Controls & Audit
  • Ensure full compliance with Indian statutory requirements including PF, ESI, PT, LWF, TDS, gratuity, bonus, leave encashment, and other applicable labor laws.
  • Support SOX controls, internal controls, and payroll governance standards.
  • Prepare payroll reconciliations and support internal and external audits.
  • Maintain payroll documentation, statutory registers, and compliance calendars.
• Payroll Accounting & Reporting
  • Perform payroll-related accounting activities, including GL reconciliations, accruals, and variance analysis.
  • Coordinate with Finance to ensure accurate posting of payroll entries and timely month-end close.
  • Prepare payroll MIS, management reports, statutory reports, and dashboards.
  • Analyze payroll data to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Systems, Process Improvement & Automation
  • Support payroll system operations and enhancements (ADP, Workday, Oracle or similar).
  • Assist in payroll system migrations, integrations, and testing, ensuring data accuracy and process continuity.
  • Identify process gaps and support automation and standardization initiatives.
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of payroll legislation, system changes, and best practices.
• Stakeholder & Vendor Management
  • Act as a key point of contact for HR, Finance, and external payroll vendors.
  • Support vendor governance, SLA adherence, and issue resolution.
  • Respond to employee payroll queries professionally and within defined SLAs.
• Team & Managerial Support
  • Support the Payroll Manager in overseeing payroll operations and ensuring business continuity.
  • Mentor junior team members and provide functional guidance.
  • Act as a backup to the Payroll Manager when required.

What You'll Bring:

Qualifications & Experience

• 7–12 years of progressive experience in India payroll operations.
• Strong hands-on experience with Indian payroll compliance and statutory filings.
• Solid exposure to payroll accounting, reconciliations, and audits.
• Experience supporting SOX controls and internal governance frameworks.
• Familiarity with payroll systems such as ADP, Workday, SAP, Oracle or equivalent.
• Advanced Excel and MS Office skills with ability to manage large datasets.
• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, HR, Business, or related field.
• Payroll or compliance certifications are an added advantage.

Skills & Attributes

• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and analytical skills.
• Hands-on, execution-focused, and solution-oriented mindset.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proactive, adaptable, and comfortable working with ambiguity.
• High level of integrity and commitment to confidentiality.