Deputy Manager - Payroll & HR Operations

Role Overview :

We are looking for a detail-oriented and hands-on Deputy Manager Payroll & HR Operations to manage end-to-end payroll processing, statutory compliance, employee lifecycle processes, HRMS, employee benefits, audits, vendor management, and HR operations for a medium to large employee base. The ideal candidate should have strong expertise in Indian Payroll, Advanced Excel, Power BI, HRMS, statutory compliance, employee benefits, audit coordination, and HR operations, with the ability to manage multiple stakeholders and deliver accurate and timely outputs within defined timelines.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Management

• Manage end-to-end monthly payroll processing, including salary computation, incentives, reimbursements, arrears, deductions, and full & final settlement.
• Manage payroll inputs, validation, payroll processing, payroll closure, and reconciliation with Finance.
• Ensure accuracy and confidentiality of payroll data and employee records.
• Handle employee payroll-related queries and resolve discrepancies within defined timelines.
• Prepare payroll MIS, analytics, dashboards, and management reports.
• Analyze payroll data to identify errors, trends, and opportunities for process improvement and cost optimization.

Statutory Compliance & Audit

• Ensure compliance with applicable Indian payroll statutory requirements, including PF, ESIC, Professional Tax, LWF, TDS, Gratuity, Bonus, and other applicable labour laws.
• Prepare and file statutory returns, challans, and related documentation within prescribed timelines.
• Handle internal and external payroll/HR audits.
• Prepare audit data, supporting documents, reconciliations, and reports.
• Coordinate with internal/external auditors and provide timely responses to audit queries.
• Track and resolve audit observations and ensure appropriate closure.

Employee Benefits Management

• Manage employee benefits such as GMC, GPA, Group Term Life Insurance, and other applicable employee benefit programs.
• Coordinate policy renewals, employee additions/deletions, endorsements, and related documentation.
• Address and resolve employee queries related to insurance and benefits.
• Coordinate with insurance/benefit vendors and ensure timely service delivery.
• Monitor vendor performance, policy timelines, and employee benefit records.

HRMS, Leave & Attendance

• Manage and maintain employee data in HRMS, ensuring accuracy and timely updates.
• Handle HRMS-related employee transactions and coordinate with HRMS vendors for issue resolution.
• Manage Leave & Attendance processes, including attendance inputs, leave records, exceptions, and payroll integration.
• Support HRMS enhancements, system upgrades, automation, and process improvements.

Exit Management

• Manage the employee exit process from initiation to closure.
• Handle Full & Final (F&F) settlement, including salary, leave encashment, deductions, recoveries, gratuity, and other applicable components.
• Coordinate with relevant HR, Finance, payroll, and other stakeholders for timely F&F closure.
• Address employee queries related to exit and settlement.

Vendor Management

• Manage payroll, HRMS, employee benefits, and other HR-related vendors.
• Handle vendor onboarding, documentation, coordination, invoicing, and payment follow-ups.
• Monitor vendor deliverables, SLAs, service quality, and issue resolution.
• Coordinate with vendors to ensure timely and accurate payroll/HR operations.

Performance Management

• Support and coordinate the annual appraisal/performance management cycle.
• Coordinate with HR, managers, employees, and other stakeholders for timely completion of appraisal activities.
• Ensure accurate processing and implementation of approved appraisal-related payroll inputs.

Stakeholder & Government Coordination

• Effectively manage coordination with HR, Finance, Business/Functional teams, employees, vendors, and auditors.
• Coordinate with relevant government/statutory authorities for payroll and employee-related compliance matters.
• Ensure timely resolution of queries and adherence to organizational policies and statutory requirements.

Mandatory Skills & Competencies

Payroll & Compliance

• Strong hands-on experience in end-to-end payroll processing.
• Strong knowledge of Indian payroll statutory compliance and labour laws.
• Experience with PF, ESIC, PT, LWF, TDS, Gratuity, Bonus, and other applicable statutory requirements.
• Experience in F&F Settlement and Exit Management.
• Experience handling payroll for medium to large employee strength.

Advanced Excel Mandatory

• Pivot Tables
• Power Query
• Power Pivot
• VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP
• INDEX-MATCH
• IF, SUMIFS and other complex formulas
• Data validation, reconciliation, reporting, and automation

Power BI Mandatory

• End-to-end dashboard creation
• Data modelling
• Basic DAX
• Payroll/HR analytics and MIS reporting

HR Operations

• HRMS management
• Leave & Attendance Management
• Employee Benefits GMC, GPA, Insurance, etc.
• Policy renewal and vendor coordination
• Appraisal cycle coordination
• Employee query management

Audit & Vendor Management

• Internal and external audit handling
• Audit data preparation and reconciliation
• Auditor coordination and query resolution
• Vendor onboarding and management
• Vendor invoicing and coordination

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate/Postgraduate in Commerce, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
• 58 years of relevant experience in Payroll & HR Operations, preferably in a medium to large organization.
• Experience with HRMS/payroll platforms and reporting tools will be an advantage.