Operations Manager - Payroll
Job Description
Sponsorship: GM DOES NOT PROVIDE IMMIGRATION-RELATED SPONSORSHIP FOR THIS ROLE. DO NOT APPLY FOR THIS ROLE IF YOU WILL NEED GM IMMIGRATION SPONSORSHIP (e.g., H-1B, TN, STEM OPT, etc.) NOW OR IN THE FUTURE.
Work Arrangement: This role is categorized as hybrid on night shift. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to GM Philippines office three times per week or other frequency dictated by the business.
The Role
The Manila Payroll & Timekeeping Operations Manager is responsible for leading payroll back-office and timekeeping operations that support U.S. and Canada payroll delivery. This role manages a team that performs critical payroll support activities including time data review, payroll input validation, reconciliations, issue resolution, controls execution, and transaction processing to help ensure accurate and timely payroll outcomes.
This leader partners closely with payroll operations, HR, timekeeping, finance, compliance, and vendor teams across North America and global shared services. The role is accountable for service delivery, operational discipline, continuous improvement, people leadership, and strong adherence to payroll controls, regulatory requirements, and customer service expectations.
What You'll Do
Lead Manila-based payroll back-office and timekeeping support operations for U.S. and Canada payroll processes
Manage day-to-day execution of payroll support activities, including payroll input review, data validation, exception handling, off-cycle support, adjustments, reconciliations, and case management
Oversee timekeeping operations that impact payroll accuracy, including review of time data issues, pay-impacting exceptions, and escalation management
Ensure payroll back-office transactions are completed accurately, on time, and in alignment with established service levels and payroll calendars
Drive operational readiness for each payroll cycle through workload planning, staffing alignment, prioritization, and issue tracking
Partner with U.S. and Canada payroll teams to resolve payroll-impacting issues, reduce rework, and improve end-to-end process performance
Monitor and enforce key controls related to payroll inputs, audit trails, reconciliations, data privacy, and segregation of duties
Support compliance with applicable payroll, tax, wage, hour, and recordkeeping requirements by following established procedures and escalating risks appropriately
Analyze recurring defects, breaks in process, and service issues; implement corrective and preventive actions
Lead continuous improvement efforts focused on standardization, simplification, automation, and productivity across payroll back-office processes
Use metrics and operational dashboards to monitor quality, timeliness, volume, aging, service levels, and root causes
Build strong partnerships with HR, Total Rewards, Finance, Employee Services, IT, and external vendors to ensure coordinated issue resolution and stable payroll execution
Serve as an escalation point for complex payroll support issues, employee-impacting cases, and cross-functional operational challenges
Maintain and improve standard operating procedures, training materials, controls documentation, and knowledge management content
Support transitions, system updates, process changes, and organizational initiatives affecting payroll and timekeeping operations
Leadership Expectations
Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing operations team in Manila with clear goals, accountability, and performance standards
Foster a culture of accuracy, customer focus, responsiveness, continuous improvement, and operational ownership
Provide direction on prioritization, quality expectations, risk management, and decision-making during critical payroll periods
Build team capability in payroll processes, timekeeping, controls, case handling, and problem solving
Create a disciplined operating rhythm through regular team huddles, metric reviews, escalations, and performance discussions
Partner effectively across regions, functions, and levels of the organization in a matrixed environment
Identify talent needs, support succession planning, and create development opportunities for team members
Lead through change with clear communication, structure, and follow-through
Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, or a related field, or equivalent experience
Significant experience in payroll operations, shared services, HR operations, or a related operational environment
Previous people leadership experience managing teams in a service delivery or operations setting
Working knowledge of payroll back-office processes and controls that support payroll execution
Experience supporting U.S. and/or Canada payroll operations, including payroll inputs, reconciliations, issue resolution, and service delivery coordination
Understanding of timekeeping processes and the relationship between time data and payroll results
Experience working with case management, service delivery metrics, and operational performance reporting
Strong problem-solving, root-cause analysis, and process improvement skills
Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work across global and cross-functional teams
Ability to manage deadlines and maintain high accuracy in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
High level of integrity and discretion with confidential employee and payroll information
What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)
Experience in a global business services or shared services organization
Experience supporting complex payroll environments with multiple stakeholder groups and high transaction volume
Knowledge of payroll controls, audit support, and compliance practices
Experience with continuous improvement methodologies and operational excellence tools
Familiarity with HRIS, payroll, timekeeping, and ticketing platforms used in large enterprise environments
About GM
Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.
Why Join Us
We believe we all must make a choice every day – individually and collectively – to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Every day, we want every employee to feel they belong to one General Motors team.
Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities
General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of unlawful discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that providing an inclusive workplace creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.
We encourage interested candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications for each role and apply for any positions that match their skills and capabilities. Applicants in the recruitment process may be required, where applicable, to successfully complete a role-related assessment(s) and/or a pre-employment screening prior to beginning employment. To learn more, visit How we Hire.
Accommodations
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