Lead - Payroll, APAC (Japan Specialist)

Role & responsibilities:

Lead end-to-end gross-to-net payroll processing for Japan and other APAC entities and act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) on Japanese payroll regulations, including Shakai Hoken, Koyou Hoken, Juminzei, and Nenmatsu Chousei.
Partner with third-party payroll vendors and internal/global stakeholders as a key regional liaison.
Perform payroll audits, reconciliations, and control checks to ensure accuracy and compliance.
Support Workday, SAP HCM/ECP, ADP, or similar HRIS/payroll systems, enhancements, and integrations.
Partner with HR teams on separation payroll, final settlements, severance, and offboarding.
Drive process improvements and support global payroll initiatives across APAC.

Preferred candidate profile:

7+ years of overall experience in Payroll Operations / Payroll Accounting and 5+ years of hands-on Japan Payroll experience.
Business-level Japanese language proficiency is mandatory.
Strong knowledge of Japanese employment law, payroll taxation, social insurance, employment insurance, resident tax, and year-end tax adjustment processes.
Experience with enterprise payroll/HRIS platforms such as Workday, SAP HCM/ECP, ADP, or similar.
MS Excel skills.