Manager, Payroll & Commission - Apac

Our Octave Finance team is looking for Manager, Payroll & Commission - APAC. You’ll own payroll and sales commission operations across APAC, end to end. That means accuracy, compliance, and control - done consistently across countries and aligned with global finance standards. You’ll look beyond processing and take the driver’s seat on frameworks, governance, and smarter ways of working, partnering closely with HR, Sales Ops, and Finance. This is a hands‑on leadership role. You’ll run a lean regional team, stay close to the details, and build processes that stand up to audits and scale with the business. You can be based in Singapore , or Malaysia . Responsibilities What you’ll do Payroll operations across APAC Own and evolve the APAC payroll operating model, with a focus on standardization, governance, and continuous improvement. Oversee monthly payroll across multiple countries, working with external providers where needed. Make sure payroll lands accurately, on time, and in line with local requirements. Review payroll outputs, variances, and exceptions before final sign off. Oversee payroll journals, accruals, reconciliations, and statutory balances. Coordinate and review statutory filings across the region. Sales commission management Lead end to end sales commission frameworks and governance across APAC. Partner with the US commissions team to interpret and apply commission plans correctly. Review commission calculations, approvals, and exceptions. Ensure accurate accruals, true ups, and reconciliations in the books. Support audits and reviews tied to commission expense and controls. Analyze commission effectiveness, cost of sales, and return on incentives. Reporting and finance support Review monthly payroll and commission expense, accruals, and balance sheet movements. Provide inputs for close, budgets, forecasts, and variance analysis. Support audits and reviews across payroll, commissions, benefits, and leave liabilities. Partner with APAC Finance on headcount cost and commission trend analysis. Process, systems, and change Lead payroll and commission transformation, automation, and system improvements. Simplify processes and strengthen internal controls. Take on regional projects as needed. Education / Qualifications What you’ll bring At least six years’ experience in senior accounting, financial management, or similar roles. A minimum of three years leading finance or accounting teams in a corporate environment. Strong accounting fundamentals across multiple finance functions. Proven ability to run teams, meet deadlines, and stay compliant. Advanced Excel skills and a sharp eye for detail. Experience planning, prioritizing, and delivering under pressure. Nice to have Experience with ERP systems or OneStream. Payroll experience. How you work You’re comfortable influencing and partnering with senior leaders. You handle complex data with precision and clarity. You can turn dense financial detail into clear, understandable insight. You manage your time well and keep teams focused.