Global Payroll Manager, Fintech

Overview

Global Payroll Manager

• with deep experience of managing payroll across multiple international markets, coupled to a strong understanding of startup and scaleup culture.
• The ideal person will possess strong payroll governance, analytical, and stakeholder management skills, together with the ability to deliver accurate, timely, and compliant payroll operations in a complex international environment.
• Experience managing payroll vendors, strengthening controls, and navigating local payroll requirements across Africa, Middle East, Asia and other international markets is essential.
• This is a key role in a growing organization - an opportunity to work in a company where a go-getter spirit and customer orientation are valued as highly as technical excellence.
• Detailed overview

Location

Candidate Profile

• A detail-oriented and commercially aware payroll leader who can combine rigorous operational control with a high-quality employee experience.
• Proven experience working across multiple jurisdictions in Africa and Asia, balancing standardization, compliance, accuracy and pace in a fast-changing environment.
• Passionate about building robust payroll processes, improving controls, and partnering effectively across People, Finance, Legal, and third-party vendors.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the accurate and timely delivery of payroll across multiple countries, coordinating internal inputs and external providers to ensure payroll is processed correctly and on schedule.
• Own payroll governance, controls, calendars, reconciliations, and audit readiness, ensuring payroll processes are well-documented, compliant, and scalable.
• Partner closely with People, Finance, Legal, and third-party vendors to manage payroll-related changes including new hires, exits, compensation changes, benefits deductions, equity-related inputs and statutory updates. Analyzing payroll trends and cost management is required.
• Monitor local payroll legislation, tax, social security, and reporting requirements, escalating risks and ensuring appropriate operational responses.
• Drive continuous improvement in payroll processes, systems, data quality and reporting, using metrics and root-cause analysis to reduce errors and improve efficiency.
• Identify and manage new payroll vendors in new geographic locations as the company expands into new markets. Integrate acquisitions, restructures, and changes to employment models where relevant.
• Manage payroll vendors and service partners, ensuring strong performance, issue resolution, compliance and value for money.
• Produce payroll reporting and insights for Finance and People stakeholders, supporting forecasting, controls and decision-making.
• Contribute to employee communication and manager guidance on payroll-related topics with clarity and professionalism.

Requirements

• Progressive global payroll experience with meaningful leadership responsibility for multi-country payroll operations.
• Strong knowledge of payroll processes, controls, reconciliations, compliance requirements, and vendor management in international environments.
• Experience working across multiple countries, with good understanding of payroll legislation and employment-related statutory requirements in the markets where the company operates.
• Demonstrated ability to partner effectively with Finance, People, Legal, and external providers on complex payroll matters.
• Data-driven, detail-oriented, and business-oriented approach to payroll governance and service delivery.
• Experience in a challenging, dynamic, and complex business environment with a focus on multiculturalism and internationalism.
• Ability to quickly build trust with employees, managers, vendors and partners.
• Strong diplomatic and interpersonal skills with high levels of professionalism and integrity.
• Ability to plan and prioritize work under tight deadlines, work on own initiative and as a member of a team.
• Experience improving payroll processes, systems, and controls in scaleup or transformation environments.
• Why Optasia?
• Optasia is a high-growth, AI-powered financial infrastructure platform serving over 432 million users in emerging markets across Africa and Asia.
• By harnessing the power of AI and real-time data we unlock financial opportunities for customers.
• We have been recognized as a top fintech by Forbes Middle East, culminating in a successful JSE listing in 2025.
• At Optasia, our global team builds the tech, products and services which will change the game for the world's unbanked population.
• We empower our people by offering unique employee experiences and support individual careers by prioritizing well-being and embracing flexibility.

Benefits

• Work From Anywhere Policy

• Competitive remuneration package
• Performance-based bonus scheme
• Extra day off on your birthday
• Comprehensive private healthcare insurance
• All the tech gear you need to work smart
• Join us in shaping the future of Optasia as we grow together.
• Explore more at optasia.com