Associate Manager - Payroll

Job Title - Associate Manager - Payroll Role Overview Air India Express is looking for an experienced Associate Manager - Payroll – India Region to manage end-to-end payroll operations with high accuracy, compliance, and timeliness. This role is critical given the scale, complexity, and regulatory sensitivity of payroll in an aviation organization. The incumbent must demonstrate strong attention to detail, compliance orientation, and operational discipline, while ensuring seamless employee experience.

This is a hands-on Individual Contributor role, requiring full-time on-site presence in Gurgaon. Key Responsibilities Payroll Processing & Administration Manage end-to-end payroll processing for India employees on a monthly basis Ensure accurate computation of salary, overtime, incentives, reimbursements, and deductions Process full & final settlements (F&F), arrears, and off-cycle payrolls Validate payroll inputs and outputs with strong controls Compliance & Statutory Management Ensure compliance with Indian statutory requirements including PF, ESI, PT, TDS, LWF, Gratuity Coordinate for timely statutory filings, challans, and returns Stay updated on changes in payroll laws and implement required updates Vendor & Stakeholder Management Coordinate with payroll vendors / consultants (if applicable) Work closely with HR, Finance, and Legal teams for payroll inputs and reconciliations Ensure SLA adherence and resolve discrepancies proactively Employee Query Management Handle payroll-related employee queries with accuracy and confidentiality Provide clarity on salary structure, tax deductions, and payslips Ensure minimal turnaround time (TAT) Audit, MIS & Controls Maintain payroll MIS, reports, and reconciliations Support internal and external audits with proper documentation Ensure strong governance, data accuracy, and confidentiality Identify process gaps and recommend automation/improvements Strong experience in statutory compliance and payroll operations Exposure to HRMS / payroll systems (SAP, Oracle, Workday, etc.) Skills & Competencies Strong knowledge of Indian payroll laws & compliance High attention to detail and accuracy Strong analytical and reconciliation skills Excellent communication and stakeholder management Ability to work in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment Ideal Candidate Profile High ownership and accountability Strong integrity and confidentiality mindset Process-driven with focus on accuracy and timelines Service-oriented with problem-solving approach Required Qualifications and Experience Education MBA / PGDM / B.Com / M.Com (HR / Finance preferred) Experience 5 –8 years of hands-on payroll experience (India region)