Payroll Lead

This role owns end-to-end payroll operations for employees across India and the UAE, ensuring every payroll cycle is accurate, compliant, and delivered on time. You will serve as the primary subject matter expert for payroll, workforce compliance, and statutory requirements across both markets. The position combines hands-on payroll governance with process improvement, systems ownership, and vendor management. You will work closely with HR, Finance, Legal, Total Rewards, and external payroll providers to maintain a reliable and scalable payroll function. A major focus will be transforming existing processes through automation, stronger controls, and improved service-provider performance. As an individual contributor, you will have significant ownership and influence over how the payroll function evolves.

• Bring 8+ years of hands-on payroll experience, including proven ownership of end-to-end India payroll processing and statutory compliance.
• Have practical knowledge of payroll practices and requirements across both India and the UAE.
• Hold a bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Finance, HR, or a related field; payroll or labour law certifications such as CPP or an India payroll compliance certification are a plus.
• Demonstrate hands-on experience with payroll and HRIS platforms such as GreytHR, Keka, ADP, or SAP SuccessFactors, with prior Darwinbox experience considered an advantage.
• Possess strong Excel and data-reconciliation skills, with the ability to work accurately with large employee datasets and complex payroll information.
• Bring strong knowledge of payroll controls, reconciliations, statutory requirements, audits, and compliance processes.
• Demonstrate exceptional attention to detail, ownership, and discretion when handling confidential employee compensation and personal data.
• Communicate clearly and confidently while managing multiple stakeholders, vendors, deadlines, and priorities across India and UAE time zones.
• Be comfortable working independently in a fast-paced, multi-entity, or global technology environment where processes are continuously evolving.
• Bring strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a proactive approach to identifying operational gaps and improving payroll processes.