Payroll Manager - India

We are looking for an exceptional and detail-driven India Payroll Manager responsible for leading payroll operations for India within an outsourced payroll delivery model, this role reports into Global Payroll Director. This role ensures accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing while driving operational excellence, strong vendor governance, and continuous process improvement.

The position partners closely with employees and key internal stakeholders including HR, Finance, Tax, Legal, and Business Systems to support payroll delivery, resolve issues, and ensure accurate payroll accounting and reporting. This role reports directly to the Director of Global Payroll.

The India Payroll Manager also supports regional and global payroll initiatives as needed, ensures compliance with local labor and tax regulations, and contributes to a positive and consistent employee payroll experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end India payroll operations, ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant payroll processing in accordance with local statutory requirements and company policies.
• Oversee outsourced payroll providers, ensuring adherence to contractual obligations and Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
• Review and validate payroll results, including absenteeism, leave entitlements, and gratuity in accordance with India labor laws.
• Drive payroll process optimization by identifying inefficiencies, strengthening internal controls, and improving accuracy, timeliness, and scalability.
• Partner with Finance and Accounting teams to ensure payroll costs, accruals, and statutory liabilities are accurately recorded and reported.
• Provide payroll data and analysis to support financial reporting and management reporting requirements.
• Manage periodic and year-end payroll and tax processes, including statutory filings, tax reconciliations, and adjustments.
• Act as the primary point of contact for third parties including payroll vendors, tax authorities and provident fund authorities.
• Support global payroll projects such as system enhancements, vendor transitions, and payroll standardization initiatives.
• Maintain strong partnerships with Global Payroll, HR, Tax, Legal, Finance, and Stock Team  teams to ensure alignment and compliance.
• Respond to employee payroll inquiries with accuracy, professionalism, and a strong service-oriented mindset.
• Perform ad-hoc payroll activities as required, including  and regulatory changes.

• Eager to learn and support payroll operations across APAC and global regions.

Education, Knowledge & Experience

• 5+ years of hands-on payroll experience managing India payroll in a corporate or multinational environment.
• Strong working knowledge of Indian labor laws, income tax, provident fund, professional tax, gratuity, and statutory compliance.
• Experience managing outsourced payroll service providers preferred.
• Solid understanding of payroll accounting principles and payroll-to-GL reconciliation processes.
• Experience designing and maintaining internal controls to mitigate payroll and compliance risk.
• Exposure to year-end payroll processes, including tax declarations, proofs, and Form 16 reporting.
• Familiarity with payroll vendors such as UKG, Nexdigm or CloudPay is preferred.
• Experience with Workday HCM and financial accounting systems is strongly preferred.
• Strong analytical skills with advanced proficiency in Excel for payroll reporting and analysis.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• University degree or equivalent relevant work experience