The Section Manager is responsible for leading and governing end‑to‑end Payroll operations, Compensation & Benefits (C&B) programs, and HR Reporting & Analytics. This role ensures operational excellence, statutory compliance, data integrity, and insightful people analytics to support business and workforce decision‑making. The incumbent manages a team of specialists and partners closely with HR, Finance, and business leaders.
Key Responsibilities1. Payroll Governance & OperationsProvide strategic and operational oversight of monthly payroll processing, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with all statutory and internal requirements.Ensure compliance with local labor laws, tax regulations, and statutory filings (e.g., CPF, income tax, government‑paid leave, and relevant claims).Oversee payroll audits, internal controls, and process reviews to mitigate risk and ensure data integrity.Act as the escalation point for complex payroll issues and liaise with external auditors, authorities, and service providers as required.Drive continuous improvement, automation, and system enhancements related to payroll processes.2. Compensation & Benefits ManagementLead the design, implementation, and administration of compensation structures, salary frameworks, and incentive programs.Oversee annual compensation cycles (salary review, bonuses), including governance, modeling, validation, and reporting.Guide market benchmarking, job evaluation, and grading activities to ensure external competitiveness and internal equity.Manage company benefits programs, vendor relationships, renewals, and cost optimization initiatives.Ensure full compliance with regulatory and governance requirements related to compensation and benefits.3. HR Reporting & People AnalyticsOwn HR dashboards, recurring reports, and ad‑hoc analytics covering headcount, cost, compensation, payroll, and workforce metrics.Translate HR data into meaningful insights to support leadership decision‑making, workforce planning, and cost management.Establish data governance standards to ensure consistency, accuracy, and confidentiality of HR data.Proactively identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities using people analytics.4. Stakeholder PartnershipPartner closely with HR Business Partners, Finance, and business leaders to align payroll, C&B, and analytics with business needs.Support leadership with data‑driven insights for budgeting, manpower planning, and organizational decisions.Provide clear communication to employees and managers on payroll, compensation, and benefits matters.5. People & Team LeadershipLead, coach, and develop a team of payroll, C&B, and analytics professionals.Set clear goals, priorities, and performance expectations for the team.Build a strong control‑minded, analytical, and service‑oriented team culture.
Qualifications & ExperienceEducationBachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or related discipline.Professional certifications in HR, payroll, or compensation are an advantage.Experience8–12 years of progressive HR experience, with strong depth in Payroll and Compensation & Benefits.Proven experience managing teams and complex HR operations in a structured or regulated environment.Hands‑on experience with HRIS and payroll systems (e.g. SAP SuccessFactors) and strong reporting capability.Skills & CompetenciesStrong knowledge of employment legislation, payroll regulations, and compensation governance.Advanced analytical skills with the ability to interpret and present data clearly to senior stakeholders.High attention to detail, strong risk and control mindset.Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and problem‑solving skills.Ability to balance operational execution with strategic and continuous improvement initiatives.