Payroll Lead - Conglomerate (15-30 yrs)

About the Client:

We are hiring for a leading, publicly listed conglomerate with a strong presence across steel, energy, infrastructure, and cement industries. This organization is renowned for its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and large-scale impact on India's economic growth. With a huge workforce and operations spanning multiple business verticals, the company is at the forefront of nation-building and industrial excellence.

Job Summary:

We are looking for a highly experienced Payroll Leader to oversee payroll processing and compliance for 35,000+ employees across 100+ legal entities. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in India payroll, tax regulations, payroll compliances, and automation. The role requires strategic leadership, process optimization, and stakeholder management across HR, Finance, and Business Units.

Key Responsibilities:

- Lead end-to-end payroll processing for a large workforce, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with statutory requirements.

- Manage payroll compliances (PF, ESI, PT, LWF, Gratuity, Income Tax, etc.) and liaise with regulatory authorities.

- Oversee payroll system configuration, issue resolution, and troubleshooting-preferably with SAP Payroll module experience.

- Develop and maintain strong internal controls, checks, and validations to ensure error-free payroll processing.

- Manage Full & Final settlements (FnF), employee benefits, and statutory deductions.

- Handle employee taxation, ESOP calculations, and complex payroll structures.

- Lead payroll audits and ensure adherence to internal and external compliance standards.

- Drive payroll transformation initiatives, automation, and process improvements to enhance efficiency and reduce manual interventions.

- Collaborate closely with HR Business Partners, Finance teams, and Business Leaders to align payroll strategies with company objectives.

- Ensure smooth payroll processing during new hires, exits, and organizational changes.

- Work with external vendors and payroll service providers to manage outsourced payroll functions if applicable.

Key Qualifications & Experience:

- 10+ years of experience in India payroll management (preferably in a large, multi-entity organization).

- Strong knowledge of India payroll compliances including tax laws, social security contributions, and labor regulations.

- Hands-on experience with payroll software (SAP Payroll preferred) and Excel expertise for payroll analytics.

- Proven ability to manage high-volume payroll and implement process improvements.

- Experience in ESOP calculations, employee taxation, and statutory filings.

- Excellent stakeholder management skills and ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.

- Strong leadership skills with experience in managing payroll teams.

- Exposure to global payroll is a plus but not mandatory.

Preferred Skills:

- India payroll compliance expertise

- SAP Payroll module (configuration & troubleshooting)

- Process automation & digital transformation in payroll

- ESOP calculations & tax implications

- End-to-end payroll cycle management

- Strong analytical & problem-solving skills