Payroll Manager – Japan

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to lead payroll operations for Japanese and multinational clients, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and client satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end payroll processing for multiple Japanese and multinational clients.
• Ensure payroll accuracy, confidentiality, timeliness, and statutory compliance.
• Oversee monthly, semi-monthly, weekly, and off-cycle payroll processing.
• Review tax deductions, social insurance contributions, reconciliations, statutory filings, and audit requirements.
• Manage payroll calendars, SLAs, escalations, and issue resolution.
• Ensure compliance with Japanese regulations, including:
  • Income Tax and Resident Tax
  • Social, Health, Pension, Employment, and Labour Insurance
  • Year-End Tax Adjustment
  • Japanese Labour Standards Act
  • My Number requirements
  • Personal Information Protection Act
• Act as the primary contact for assigned payroll outsourcing clients.
• Conduct regular business reviews and maintain strong client relationships.
• Monitor client satisfaction, contractual deliverables, and SLA performance.
• Recommend payroll process improvements and identify service expansion opportunities.
• Support client transitions, onboarding, and implementation projects.
• Provide payroll subject-matter expertise during sales pursuits, proposals, RFPs, and RFIs.
• Lead, coach, and develop payroll specialists and team leaders.
• Drive automation, process optimisation, operational excellence, and risk-control initiatives.
• Promote Lean, Six Sigma, and Continuous Service Improvement practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, HR, Accounting, Finance, or related discipline.
• 8–12 years of payroll experience, including 3–5 years managing payroll teams.
• Strong background in payroll outsourcing, BPO, HR outsourcing, or shared services.
• In-depth knowledge of Japanese payroll legislation and statutory compliance.
• Experience managing payroll for Japanese and multinational organisations.
• Proven client-facing account management and stakeholder-management experience.
• Experience in payroll implementation, transition, pre-sales, or solution design is highly desirable.
• Strong leadership, analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Language Requirements

• Native or business-level Japanese (JLPT N1 or equivalent preferred).
• Professional business English (written and spoken).
• Ability to conduct meetings, presentations, and negotiations in both Japanese and English.

Technical Skills

• Payroll platforms: SAP HCM Payroll, Workday Payroll, Oracle HCM, ADP, TMF, SD Worx, Ramco, or equivalent.
• HRIS platforms and payroll reporting tools.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel.
• Power BI, CRM platforms, Microsoft Office, and project-management tools.

Preferred Certifications

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or equivalent
• Fundamental Payroll Certification
• HR or Payroll Professional Certification
• PMP or PRINCE2
• Lean Six Sigma
• ITIL Foundation / Continuous Service Improvement

Key Success Measures

• Payroll accuracy ≥ 99.8%
• On-time payroll delivery and SLA achievement
• Positive client satisfaction and retention
• Successful onboarding of new clients
• Compliance and audit performance
• Process automation and service-improvement results
• Development of a high-performing payroll operations team

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications.
• Performance-based bonus and annual salary review.
• Statutory insurance and benefits in accordance with local regulations.
• Professional training and career development opportunities.
• International and collaborative working environment.
• Annual leave and company holidays.
• Other allowances and benefits subject to company policy.

Work Location

Yokohama, Japan