Senior Payroll Specialist

About the role

Roland Berger is expanding its Finance & Controlling service hub in Kuala Lumpur to support global operations. As a Senior Payroll Specialist based in Kuala Lumpur, you will support the accurate and timely delivery of payroll services for the firm's Middle East operations, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar. You will manage end-to-end payroll activities, work closely with local HR, Finance and external payroll providers, and help ensure compliance with payroll requirements, internal controls and service standards.

Key responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end monthly payroll process for employees across Middle East offices, keeping it accurate, complete and on time.
• Maintain payroll data in ADP and related HR systems, including new hires, transfers, terminations, salary adjustments, allowances, deductions, bonuses and final settlements.
• Validate payroll inputs and outputs, investigate discrepancies and complete payroll, bank-file and general-ledger reconciliations before final approval.
• Apply payroll rules and local statutory requirements across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar, including social insurance, wage protection and end-of-service processes.
• Coordinate with local HR teams, Finance, ADP and other payroll providers to resolve issues and support timely salary disbursement.
• Act as point of contact for employee payroll queries, maintaining strict confidentiality.
• Prepare payroll reports, audit support schedules and management information, and maintain payroll documentation and controls.
• Support annual compensation review activities, including salary benchmarking, market-data analysis, pay-range reviews, bonus calculations and recommendations for HR and management.
• Maintain compensation and benefits data, prepare cost and utilization reports, reconcile benefit invoices and support budgeting, forecasting and audit requirements.
• Monitor the competitiveness, consistency and compliance of compensation and benefits practices, and support payroll process improvements, system enhancements and testing.

Required profile

• University degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance or a related discipline.
• At least four years of relevant payroll experience, including responsibility for end-to-end payroll processing.
• Good working knowledge of payroll practices and statutory requirements in the Middle East, especially the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar.
• Fluent written and spoken English.
• Strong numerical, analytical and reconciliation skills, with excellent attention to detail and the ability to meet strict payroll deadlines.

Required skills

• Working proficiency in ADP payroll services; experience with ADP Celergo or other global payroll platforms is an advantage.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel; experience with HRIS or ERP systems is desirable.

Candidates apply through the company's online application form, submitting a cover letter, CV and references.