Total Reward & Payroll Section Head

The role will be responsible for ensuring competitive and equitable reward practices, accurate and timely payroll operations, effective benefits administration, and the development of recognition and incentive programs that support employee engagement and business objectives.Key ResponsibilitiesLead the end-to-end payroll operation, ensuring accurate and timely processing of salaries, allowances, overtime, deductions, reimbursements, incentives, bonuses, and employee final settlements.Ensure payroll data accuracy, integrity, confidentiality, and compliance with applicable company policies and regulatory requirements.Conduct and participate in salary benchmarking and market compensation studies to assess the competitiveness of the company's salary structure and reward practices.Analyze market data and provide recommendations on salary ranges, compensation positioning, and pay adjustments.Manage and continuously review the company's compensation and benefits framework to ensure internal equity, external competitiveness, and alignment with business needs.Lead the design, implementation, and administration of employee recognition and reward programs.Manage the development and administration of incentive and bonus schemes, ensuring alignment with organizational performance and business objectives.Review and administer employee benefits programs, identify opportunities for improvement, and support benefit cost optimization.Conduct and support job evaluation and job grading exercises to ensure consistency and internal equity across roles.Partner with Organizational Development and HR stakeholders in reviewing organizational structures, job descriptions, grades, and compensation implications.Lead the preparation of the annual manpower and compensation budget, including salaries, bonuses, incentives, benefits, merit increases, and related employee costs.Monitor actual employee costs against the approved budget, analyze variances, and provide management with regular forecasts and recommendations.Prepare compensation, payroll, benefits, and workforce cost reports, dashboards, and analytics to support management decision-making.Ensure timely completion of payroll-related statutory requirements, including applicable government reporting and payments.Review payroll processes, controls, and systems and identify opportunities for automation, process improvement, efficiency, and risk reduction.Handle and resolve complex employee and management queries related to payroll, compensation, benefits, incentives, and rewards.Ensure adherence to approved Compensation & Benefits policies, procedures, and governance standards, escalating exceptions or risks when required.Manage, coach, and develop the payroll and total rewards team, ensuring clear objectives, effective performance management, and continuous capability development.Support management with compensation analysis and recommendations for promotions, internal movements, new hires, retention cases, and organizational changes.Continuously review market practices and emerging trends in Total Rewards and recommend appropriate enhancements.Qualifications & ExperienceBachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a related field.Minimum 8–10 years of relevant HR experience, with strong exposure to Payroll, Compensation & Benefits, or Total Rewards, including supervisory or leadership experience.Strong experience in payroll operations, salary benchmarking, compensation analysis, benefits administration, job evaluation, incentives, bonuses, and HR budgeting.Solid understanding of compensation structures, salary ranges, grading methodologies, and market benchmarking practices.Strong numerical, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities.High attention to detail with strong understanding of payroll controls and data confidentiality.