Senior Payroll Transformation Specialist

Joining Razer will place you on a global mission to revolutionize the way the world games. Razer is a place to do great work , offering you the opportunity to make an impact globally while working across a global team located across 5 continents. Razer is also a great place to work, providing you the unique, gamer-centric #LifeAtRazer experience that will put you in an accelerated growth, both personally and professionally. Job Responsibilities : The Payroll Automation & Transformation Specialist is responsible for the accurate, timely, and compliant delivery of payroll across multiple Asia Pacific (APAC) countries, working primarily through third-party payroll vendors, while directly managing end-to-end in-house payroll processing for Malaysia. This role also leads payroll-related audit activities — including SOX compliance, statutory audits, and other entity-level audits — and drives continuous improvement of payroll processes, controls, and systems across the region, with a strong focus on leveraging AI, automation, and digital tools (e.g., RPA, intelligent document processing, AI-assisted validation and analytics) to modernise payroll delivery and improve accuracy, speed, and cost efficiency. 1. Payroll Malaysia In-House Payroll • Own end-to-end processing of Malaysia payroll in-house, including new hires, terminations, salary changes, allowances, bonuses, and deductions , applying RPA and automated workflows to reduce manual touchpoints wherever possible . • Calculate and process statutory contributions (EPF, SOCSO, EIS, PCB/MTD) and ensure timely remittance and filing. • Prepare and reconcile payroll journal entries, GL postings, and payroll-related balance sheet accounts. • Manage year-end tax reporting (e.g., EA forms) and other statutory filings for Malaysia. • Ensure full compliance with the Employment Act and other applicable Malaysian labor regulations. Rest of APAC (excl SG) Payroll Operations (Vendor-Managed) • Act as the primary point of contact and relationship owner for outsourced payroll vendors across assigned APAC countries. • Review and validate payroll inputs, calculations, and outputs (salary, statutory contributions, tax filings, benefits deductions) submitted by vendors for accuracy and compliance with local regulations , leveraging AI-assisted data validation and anomaly detection tools where available to strengthen quality checks . • Coordinate monthly payroll cycles with vendors, ensuring adherence to agreed SLAs and internal deadlines. • Manage escalations, discrepancies, and query resolution between vendors, employees, and internal stakeholders. • Monitor vendor performance against KPIs/SLAs and participate in periodic vendor reviews and contract renewals. • Stay current on statutory and regulatory changes (e.g., tax, social security, employment law) across APAC jurisdictions and ensure vendors implement required changes. 2. Audit & Compliance Management • Lead and coordinate SOX audit requirements related to payroll processes, including control documentation, walkthroughs, and remediation of findings. • Manage statutory and external/internal audits for all applicable entities across APAC, acting as the key liaison between auditors, vendors, and internal teams. • Prepare audit schedules, supporting documentation, and evidence for payroll-related controls and transactions , using automation and AI-assisted tools to accelerate evidence gathering and strengthen audit trail accuracy . • Track audit findings and action items through to closure, ensuring timely remediation and process updates. • Maintain payroll process documentation, SOPs, and control matrices to support audit readiness at all times . 3. Process Improvement & AI Transformation • Identify inefficiencies, risks, and gaps in current payroll processes and controls across the region. • Lead the exploration, design, and rollout of AI-driven and automation solutions (e.g., AI-assisted data validation, anomaly detection, generative AI/ chatbots for employee payroll queries, intelligent document processing, RPA , predictive analytics for payroll cost forecasting ) to improve payroll accuracy, speed, and cost efficiency. • Evaluate emerging AI/automation tools and vendor capabilities, building business cases and roadmaps for adoption across APAC payroll operations. • Partner with HR, Finance, IT, and vendors to streamline payroll workflows, system integrations (e.g., HRIS-payroll interfaces), and data flows to support AI-enabled processes. • Develop and maintain payroll process documentation, checklists, and control frameworks, including updates needed to support new AI/automation tools. • Support system implementations, upgrades, or vendor transitions as needed. • Lead or contribute to other payroll, HR, or finance transformation projects as assigned, acting as a flexible resource for cross-functional initiatives beyond core payroll operations. 4. Reporting & Stakeholder Management • Prepare monthly, quarterly, and ad hoc payroll reports and reconciliations for management and finance teams , increasingly leveraging AI-powered analytics and dashboards to surface trends and insights . • Provide payroll data and analysis to support budgeting, forecasting, and headcount reporting. • Build strong working relationships with in-country HR, Finance, vendors, and regulatory bodies as needed. Pre-Requisites : • A specialist with at least 4 years of regional payroll experience gained, preferably in a multi-country environment . • Hands-on experience with Malaysia payroll processing (EPF, SOCSO, EIS, PCB) is required. • Experience managing outsourced payroll vendors across multiple jurisdictions. • Prior experience supporting SOX, statutory, or internal/external audits is highly preferred. • Experience in payroll process improvement, automation, or AI-enabled transformation projects is highly preferred. • Exposure to RPA, AI tools, or data analytics platforms applied to HR/payr…