Specialist, Payroll

Payroll Specialist – Sri Lanka & MEA

Role Overview

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for operating payroll as an end-to-end business service across Sri Lanka and an assigned portfolio of Middle East and Africa (MEA) countries, ensuring payroll is delivered accurately, compliantly, and efficiently while continuously improving the employee and stakeholder experience.

Reporting to the Regional Payroll Leader, this role partners with Human Resources, Finance, payroll providers, and other business stakeholders to deliver reliable payroll services, maintain data integrity, resolve employee inquiries, manage operational risks, and identify opportunities to improve payroll performance.

The Payroll Specialist takes ownership of payroll activities across assigned countries, from payroll readiness and input validation through payroll review, approval, post-payroll activities, reconciliations, and issue resolution.

As payroll continues to evolve through automation, analytics, and AI-enabled technologies, this role contributes to building a scalable, data-driven payroll operating model focused on operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Why Join Our Team

Our payroll team is evolving into a modern, strategic capability, and that work has been recognized by the broader payroll community. We have received accolades from the Global Payroll Association and have been featured in industry podcasts and publications for our approach to payroll transformation, optimization, and future readiness.

Key Responsibilities

Deliver the Payroll Service

• Own and coordinate end-to-end payroll activities across Sri Lanka and assigned MEA countries, ensuring payroll is delivered accurately, compliantly, and on time.
• Manage payroll readiness including payroll inputs, employee changes, variable payments, deductions, allowances, leave, terminations, and other payroll transactions.
• Validate payroll data and review payroll outputs to identify and resolve discrepancies prior to payroll finalization.
• Coordinate payroll approvals, funding requirements, and payroll sign-off activities.
• Complete and support post-payroll activities including reconciliations, reporting, statutory requirements, and payroll-related financial activities.
• Manage employee payroll inquiries through ServiceNow, ensuring a high-quality and timely employee experience.
• Partner with payroll providers and internal stakeholders to ensure successful payroll delivery and timely resolution of issues.

Manage Service Performance

• Monitor payroll operations, service commitments, and key performance indicators to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Maintain process documentation and support operational consistency across assigned countries.
• Perform root-cause analysis on recurring issues and coordinate sustainable solutions.
• Support operational reviews with internal stakeholders and payroll providers.

Partner Across the Business

• Build collaborative relationships with Human Resources, Finance, Tax, Benefits, Technology, and payroll providers.
• Support reconciliation activities by helping ensure employee, payroll, and financial data remain accurate and aligned.
• Coordinate resolution of operational issues that impact employees or payroll delivery.
• Contribute to initiatives that improve employee experience, operational efficiency, and enterprise collaboration.
• Provide payroll guidance and support to internal stakeholders within the scope of assigned countries.

Improve and Protect the Service

• Execute operational controls that support payroll accuracy, compliance, and audit readiness.
• Identify operational risks, data quality issues, and process improvement opportunities.
• Support automation, standardization, and technology initiatives that simplify payroll operations.
• Contribute to building a scalable, future-ready payroll operating model.
• Support internal and external payroll audits and ensure required documentation and evidence are maintained.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience delivering or supporting end-to-end payroll operations, ideally within a multinational or outsourced payroll environment.
• Working knowledge of payroll processing, reconciliations, controls, compliance, and payroll-related statutory requirements.
• Experience collaborating with payroll providers and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Experience managing payroll activities across multiple countries or jurisdictions would be advantageous.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail with a commitment to payroll accuracy and data integrity.
• Ability to manage multiple payroll deadlines and priorities in a demanding environment.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Fluency in English.

Preferred Experience

• Experience managing or supporting payroll in Sri Lanka and Middle East and Africa countries.
• Knowledge of Sri Lankan payroll legislation, statutory requirements, and payroll practices.
• Experience working within a regional or global payroll operating model.
• Experience working with outsourced payroll providers.
• Experience using ServiceNow or similar employee case-management technology.