Manager - Payroll & Compliance

You’ll be our: Manager - Payroll and Statutory ComplianceYou’ll be based at: IBC Knowledge Park, BengaluruYou’ll be aligned with: Lead - Talent OperationsYou’ll be joining our: People Operations and People Strategy (POPS)The Payroll and Compliance Lead is a critical role responsible for ensuring the 100% accuracy and timely disbursement of the India payroll across all locations. This position requires someone who can move beyond BAU (Business-as-Usual) execution to proactively identify and fix systemic input gaps, drive automation projects, and maintain strict adherence to all central and state labor laws and internal processes. The Lead will be the primary custodian of payroll data integrity and a key partner in financial audits.At Ather, we take pride in ushering the Indian EV movement forward, and we continue to do this by building from scratch. The best part is that we’re just getting started. So, if you believe in taking moonshots, join us. Be the story.What you’ll do at AtherMonthly Payroll and DisbursalEnd-to-End Payroll Management: Own and execute the entire monthly payroll cycle, ensuring accurate calculation, processing, and disbursement of salaries, reimbursements, and final settlements (Full & Final).Data Integrity and Validation: Implement stringent internal controls and reconciliation checks on input data (e.g., variable payouts, shift data, benefits, and statutory deductions) before each payroll run.Focus Area: Proactively work with HR teams to fix input errors at the source (e.g., ensuring accurate data capture for sabbatical statuses, food allowance eligibility, and ESOP reporting) to prevent downstream accuracy failures.Final Settlement (F&F): Ensure accurate and timely processing of full and final settlements for departing employees, adhering strictly to mandated two-day payment windows as per state laws.Reporting and Analysis: Generate accurate monthly reports on payroll variances, cost center allocations, and ledger postings (including supporting the Salary JV automation project).Statutory Compliance and Risk ManagementThis role owns the mandatory compliance adherence for all central and state labor regulations across all Indian entities.Statutory Remittance & Filing: Ensure accurate and timely calculation, deposit, and filing of all mandatory monthly, quarterly, and annual statutory returns, including:EPF & EPS (PF): Timely remittance of contributions and filing of Electronic Challan-cum-Return (ECR).ESIC: Accurate calculation and payment of contributions.Professional Tax (PT): Compliance with state-specific PT laws and filing returns to avoid penalties.Labour Welfare Fund (LWF) & Gratuity: Ensure timely and accurate accounting for contributions/payments.Compliance Documentation: Maintain comprehensive, audit-ready records for all wage, leave, holiday working (NFH/Weekly Off implementation), and statutory payments for the required retention periods.Audit Management: Serve as the primary contact for payroll-related internal and external audits. Proactively prepare data packs, coordinate responses, and implement corrective actions derived from audit findings.ESOP and Complex Compensation OperationsESOP Management: Own the operational execution of all ESOP grant cycles, including vesting, exercising, and payout reporting (e.g., managing the complexity of Form 12BA and executing accurate grant reporting).Documentation and Issuance: Oversee the accurate and timely issuance of annual statements and documentation related to compensation, including Form 16 and ESOP grant letters.Process Integrity and Transformation: The Lead is expected to drive strategic initiatives to make the payroll function scalable, reliable, and automated.Process Automation: Lead and drive the completion of core automation projects, including the Salary JV automation and the integration of automated overtime and holiday working systems.SOP Development: Develop, document, and enforce Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for critical, high-risk processes (e.g., F&F, statutory contribution calculation, and data transfer protocols).Cross-Functional Gaps: Act as the subject matter expert to diagnose compliance risks originating from upstream HR processes and implement technological or process fixes to eliminate manual intervention and improve data accuracy.Here’s what we’re looking forOwnership and Accountability: Proven track record of taking ownership beyond the immediate task to resolve root cause issues.Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to data accuracy and compliance reporting.Dependability: Demonstrated ability to meet non-negotiable compliance and payment deadlines.Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills required to effectively represent the function in executive forums, articulate compliance risks clearly, and coordinate complex requests with external auditors and internal technology teamsWhat you bring to Ather8-10 years of dedicated experience in India Payroll processing and Statutory Compliance managementDeep working knowledge of Indian labour laws, including EPF, ESIC, Gratuity, Bonus, and state-specific Shops & Establishment ActsProficiency in managing payroll software (e.g., DarwinBox) and strong advanced Excel skills for reconciliation and reportingBe You, With UsThe Ather story doesn't write itself - our people do. We believe everyone is equal, but not the same. Diversity is our strength, and building an inclusive and equitable workplace begins with acknowledging and embracing our differences. We are an equal opportunity employer, and our team reflects a wide range of identities, experiences, and perspectives - all united by a shared passion to shape the Ather journey.