Senior Manager, Payroll

Overview Senior Manager, Payroll role at Sony Interactive Entertainment Position Summary: Seeking a strategic Regional Payroll Expert to manage payroll operations and compliance in APAC. The role is essential for ensuring on-time and accurate payroll processing and for transitioning to a future-state operational model in line with global/regional transformations. The position will lead the APAC Payroll Roadmap and serve as the strategic representative for payroll, advocating for payroll needs with senior HR leadership. Responsibilities Strategic Transformation & RFP Leadership: establish and manage the future payroll framework, following global guidelines for improving existing payroll procedures. Lead APAC input into the RFP process, including requirements gathering, vendor evaluation, and transition planning. Provide project management oversight for payroll transformation initiatives, align collaborators to timelines and deliverables, and report progress to executive leadership. Act as the key advocate for payroll in APAC, championing payroll needs and leading the regional Payroll Roadmap. Develop cohesive relationships across HR, Benefits, Compensation, Finance, and Business collaborators. Regional Payroll Governance & Compliance: align payroll operations with laws and statutory reporting requirements, ensuring tasks are completed by statutory deadlines across APAC (Singapore, Australia, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and New Zealand). Lead vendor governance reviews, produce performance scorecards, and ensure outsourced providers are held accountable to SLAs and contractual obligations. Ensure SOPs remain current with vendor model practices and regulatory changes; maintain and strengthen control frameworks, risk management, and audit readiness. Serve as primary contact for payroll compliance and delivery issues. Payroll Oversight & Business Continuity: direct and control payroll services from vendors and internal sources, ensuring precision, timeliness, and consistency across APAC markets including Singapore, Australia, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and New Zealand. Ensure accurate and timely payroll including base pay, stock compensation, payroll taxes, pension, and statutory and supplemental benefits; supervise expatriate and shadow payrolls for mobility cases with Mobility Services; validate outputs with Finance Managers and Local HR Managers. Safeguard business continuity through proactive planning and documentation. Automation & Continuous Improvement: lead system automation projects, resolve payroll technology integrations with HRIS/IT; monitor vendor performance metrics and lead service improvement initiatives; drive automation and digitization to streamline operations and enhance reporting; champion ongoing payroll optimization across the region; build frameworks to onboard new countries/entities; identify knowledge gaps and training needs at country level. Finance & Cross-Functional Collaboration: collaborate with Finance on reconciliations, GL integration, accruals, and statutory reports; own month-end, quarter-end, and year-end processes for APAC entities; collaborate with HR, Master Data Admins, Legal, and Tax to ensure compliance and data integrity; provide payroll input on M&A, expansions, and new entity setup; partner with HRIS/IT to handle payroll platform integrations and troubleshoot. Engaging and Leading Collaborators Serve as the senior payroll subject matter expert for APAC, advising HR and Finance leadership on risk, compliance, and enhancement opportunities. Foster integrated connections across HR, Benefits, Compensation, Finance, and external vendors to ensure timely and accurate results. Solicit feedback and proactively manage user issues; promote a culture of outstanding customer service in payroll to ensure positive participant experience. Collaborate with senior stakeholders in a matrixed, multinational environment. Qualifications Essential Extensive payroll experience (>10 years) with APAC-wide responsibilities and deep understanding of payroll operations across APAC (Singapore, Australia, Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia). Proven experience leading payroll transformations, RFPs, and vendor transitions. Experience leading large-scale payroll projects and cross-regional initiatives with strong project management skills. Expertise in end-to-end global payroll processes and internal control concepts. Proficient understanding of APAC payroll laws and legal obligations. Hands-on experience with HRIS and payroll platforms (Workday, SAP, ADP, Ascender, or similar). Proven ability to collaborate across HR and Finance within a global matrix; skilled at engaging with senior leadership and resolving conflicts. Preferred Payroll certification (CPP, CIPP, APA) or project management credentials (PMP, PRINCE2); Bachelor’s degree in Finance/Tax/Accounting/HR or equivalent experience. Familiarity with automation tools, payroll analytics, and reporting platforms. Fluency in English; other APAC languages (Mandarin or Korean) a strong plus. Skills & Competencies Strategic problem solver with the ability to translate vision into action. Extensive technical knowledge of payroll adherence and regulations. Process re-engineering and automation capability. Confident communicator with executive presence. Ability to navigate ambiguity and balance regional vs global priorities. High integrity, attention to detail, and commitment to confidentiality. Equal Opportunity Equal Opportunity Statement: Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, race, religion, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, maternity or parental status, or legally protected category. We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond. PlayStation is a Fair Chance employer and qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment. Job details Seniority level: Not Applicable Employment type: Full-time Job function: Human Resources Industries: Software Development, Consumer Services, and Entertainment Providers #J-18808-Ljbffr