Payroll Compliance Lead - APAC

About Remote

Remote is solving global remote organizations’ biggest challenge: employing anyone anywhere compliantly. We make it possible for businesses big and small to employ a global team by handling global payroll, benefits, taxes, and compliance. Check out remote.com/how-it-works to learn more or if you’re interested in adding to the mission, scroll down to apply now.

Not only do we encourage folks from all ethnic groups, genders, sexuality, age, abilities, disability status and any other under-represented group to apply, but we prioritize a sense of belonging. We have 4 ERGs (Women, Disability, Queer, Minorities in Tech) who meet regularly with the People team. During your interviews and beyond, we ask & encourage anybody who needs an accommodation to request one from their recruiter.

At Remote, we embrace AI as a valuable tool while prioritizing human creativity and authenticity. We look forward to meeting candidates who balance innovation with genuine expertise and experience. To learn more about Remote's AI guidelines check see here. 

All of our positions are fully remote. You do not have to relocate to join us!

What this job can offer you

This is an exciting opportunity to take a leading role in payroll compliance in APAC Region, with a primary focus on Singapore, Malaysia & Philippines. As Compliance Lead, you will act as the subject matter expert for payroll and employment legislation in your region, ensuring full compliance while driving strategic improvements across processes, policies, and systems. You will lead audits, proactively identify risks, and collaborate with internal teams to enhance payroll accuracy and efficiency. As a trusted advisor, you will support the Payroll Operations team and other key stakeholders by providing expert guidance on compliance matters. You will also play a key role in resolving regulatory challenges, managing internal audits, and driving high-impact projects that improve our global payroll capabilities.

What you bring

• Deep expertise in payroll legislation, employment tax, and social security regulations in Singapore, Malaysia & Philippines.

• Experience in payroll compliance, payroll operations, or payroll audit within a multinational environment.
• Proven track record in managing regulatory compliance, handling authority audits, and resolving payroll-related compliance issues.
• Strong analytical skills, with experience in data analysis, reconciliations, and risk identification.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to explain complex regulatory topics clearly and effectively.
• Proactive and strategic mindset, capable of identifying opportunities for improvement and driving meaningful change.
• Experience in leading process improvements, including automation, system enhancements, and operational efficiencies.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, international, and largely asynchronous environment.
• Fluency in English and at least one local language.

Key Responsibilities

• Be the technical lead on payroll and employment legislation for Singapore, Malaysia & Philippines, ensuring compliance with wage tax laws, social security regulations, and employment policies.
• Lead country-specific payroll audits, identifying risks, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement, and drive solutions through to implementation.
• Resolve compliance matters efficiently, engaging with tax authorities, legal advisors, and internal teams to address audits, disputes, and inquiries.
• Act as a strategic advisor to Payroll Operations and Product teams, ensuring our payroll processes remain robust and scalable.
• Drive process improvements and automation, optimising workflows to enhance payroll accuracy and efficiency.
• Lead and support high-impact projects, influencing the development of payroll processes, compliance frameworks, and operational strategies.
• Deliver training and support on compliance matters to payroll and cross-functional teams.

Remote Compensation Philosophy

Remote's Total Rewards philosophy is to ensure fair, unbiased compensation and fair equity pay along with competitive benefits in all locations in which we operate. We do not agree to or encourage cheap-labor practices and therefore we ensure to pay above in-location rates. We hope to inspire other companies to support global talent-hiring and bring local wealth to developing countries.

At first glance our salary bands seem quite wide - here is some context. At Remote we have international operations and a globally distributed workforce. We use geo ranges to consider geographic pay differentials as part of our global compensation strategy to remain competitive in various markets while we hiring globally.

The base salary range for this full-time position is between $40,700USD to $103,128USD. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level and location, and our job titles may span more than one career level. The actual base pay for the successful candidate in this role is dependent upon many factors such as location, transferable or job-related skills, work experience, relevant training, business needs, and market demands. The base salary range may be subject to change.

Practicals

• You'll report to: Senior Manager, Global Payroll Strategy and Compliance
• Team: Global Payroll Risk and Compliance
• Location: Singapore, Malaysia & Philippines
• Start date: As soon as possible

Application process

1. Interview with recruiter
2. Interview with hiring manager
3. Interview with team manager 
4. Interview with future team Director 
5. Bar Raiser Interview
6. Prior employment verification check

 

Benefits

Our full benefits & perks are explained in our handbook at remote.com/r/benefits. As a global company, each country works differently, but some benefits/perks are for all Remoters:

• work from anywhere
• flexible paid time off
• flexible working hours (we are async)
• 16 weeks paid parental leave
• mental health support services
• stock options
• learning budget
• home office budget & IT equipment
• budget for local in-person social events or co-working spaces

How you’ll plan your day (and life)

We work async at Remote which means you can plan your schedule around your life (and not around meetings). Read more at remote.com/async.

You will be empowered to take ownership and be proactive. When in doubt you will default to action instead of waiting. Your life-work balance is important and you will be encouraged to put yourself and your family first, and fit work around your needs.

If that sounds like something you want, apply now!

How to apply

1. Please fill out the form below and upload your CV with a PDF format.
2. We kindly ask you to submit your application and CV in English, as this is the standardised language we use here at Remote.
3. If you don’t have an up to date CV but you are still interested in talking to us, please feel free to add a copy of your LinkedIn profile instead.

We will ask you to voluntarily tell us your pronouns at interview stage, and you will have the option to answer our anonymous demographic questionnaire when you apply below. As an equal employment opportunity employer it’s important to us that our workforce reflects people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences and this data will help us to stay accountable. We thank you for providing this data, if you chose to.

At Remote, we embrace AI as a valuable tool while prioritizing human creativity and authenticity. We look forward to meeting candidates who balance innovation with genuine expertise and experience. To learn more about Remote's AI guidelines check see here. 

Please note we accept applications on an ongoing basis. 

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