Job Description

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity.

Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries.

We connect. We inspire.

Job Title: Payroll Consultant

Pay Band – PB6

Closing Date – 7th June 2026

Closing Time - Applications will close at 23:59 IST on 7th June Saturday

Location – Noida. India

Contract – Indefinite contract Local

Purpose of job:

This role is responsible for leading efficient and compliant regional payroll operations, ensuring accuracy and smooth payroll administration processes.
It focuses on designing and improving payroll tools, processes, and integrations through platforms like MyHR to enhance operational effectiveness.
The role also drives continuous improvement by reviewing, analysing, and implementing streamlined payroll operational models across the region

Main opportunities/challenges for this role

Accountabilities, responsibilities and main duties:

Leadership & management

• Setting up and managing an efficient and effective payroll operations function.
• Support in the alignment of processes and platforms to achieve integration to other HR and non-HR processes and platforms.
• Support the continuous improvement of processes for better, faster and more customer focussed payroll operations.
• Implement the regional payroll operations strategy, including review of existing delivery model and practices to ensure compliance, efficiency, and accuracy.

Relationship & stakeholder management

· Collaborate with the People function to ensure a seamless employee experience from hire to retire. Work in conjunction with the MS

Work in conjunction with the MSP to:

• Review employee data (new hires, changes, additional earnings) from MyHR to inform payroll run(s) and pre-empt any issue, if any. In some countries data may come from multiple sources which will need to be reconciled.
• Complete payroll calculations manually (through excel templates) or through a payroll system. · Make contributions to statutory bodies (pension, social security particularly).
• Ensure system generated pay slips are distributed to employees accurately and on a timely manner.
• Consolidate payroll register report and other payroll related reports and seek appropriate vetting and approvals for payroll processing.
• Prepare all journals and accruals related to payroll in the countries allocated to this role.
• Liaise with the respective government statutory bodies for matters related to statutory or government reporting.
• Ensure accurate, timely payment and compliance with all statutory requirements. This will include notifying finance on fund allocation.
• Ensure the preparation of annual tax reporting is accurate and timely.
• Ensure proper documentation and compliance for internal controls and audits.
• Ensure timely processing of final settlement for leavers.
• Ensure accurate processing of overtime payments and reimbursements.
• Ensure timely processing of Purchase Request (PR) and Purchase Orders (PO) for HR related vendor payments i.e. medical insurance, medical claims, payroll vendor fees, etc.

Case Management

• Attend to employee enquiries on payroll related issues via case management platform.
• Timely management of queries – respond daily to queries via C4C (case management ticketing system), in line with Service Level Agreements.
• Strive to understand stakeholder queries and resolve tickets in a customer centric manner.
• Records Management
• Maintain rigorous filing of all payroll related documentations (payslips and payroll reports especially).
• Archive/ Destroy payroll records in line with data protection policies and practices in the country.
• Support audits where required.

Service improvement

• Support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Approach issues and roadblocks with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Contribute to outsourcing projects particularly at the stage of transition into business as usual.
• Proactively communicate with all approvers and key personnel to ensure effective coordination and approvals of payroll payments.
• Escalate issues to appropriate management levels in a timely manner to ensure fast resolution and risk mitigations are put in place.

Stakeholder Communication

• Proactively communicate with all approvers and key personnel to ensure effective coordination and approvals of payroll payments.
• Escalate issues to appropriate management levels in a timely manner to ensure fast resolution and risk mitigations are put in place.

Teamwork

• Proactively support and offer help to other team members when their workload requires additional support.
• Ask for help from management and team members where needed.
• Support change initiatives and be a change advocate particularly in outsourcing initiatives.
• Show flexibility in delivering activities that are not strictly in this role scope.
• Involvement in projects or activities outside of the scope of work described here will be required. Support of local compliance requirements will be required.
• Generate/ review various operational and statutory payroll reports like production report, quality and workforce management related reports on defined frequencies.

Collaborate with other people function pillars

• Work collaboratively with other People function areas to support the initiatives undertaken for the business.
• Continuously feedback to other People function areas on changes and/or issues faced by the payroll team to ensure the business has a single combined HR perspective.

Language Requirement The British Council systems and global processes operate in English. Written and verbal proficiency in English is required.

Role specific knowledge and experience

Minimum/Essential:

• Experience of reviewing and improving payroll operations processes and practices.
• Expertise/Experience of payroll operations across several countries in the region, including designing tools, processes and procedures.
• Has worked in a multinational organization, with varied cultures and nationalities.
• Experience leading payroll staff
• Proven ability in solving process and technical issues.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of automation in payroll
• Ability to demonstrate critical thinking skills and initiative.
• Preferably experience in a shared service/outsourcing environment.
• Experience in people management/team leadership is desired.

Requirements:
Please note that candidates must have the pre-existing, legal right to work in the India. Mobility / relocation / visa sponsoring support will not be provided.
British Council supports working in new ways such as hybrid working, subject to full approval by line management and conditional upon our ability to provide the appropriate level of service. This may not be appropriate for all roles but can be explored at interview.

A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of the community as we believe that a diverse workforce gives added depth to our work. The British Council is a Disability Confident Employer. The Disability Confident scheme helps challenge attitudes, increase understanding of disability and ensure staff are drawn from the widest possible pool of talent. We guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum role requirements. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.

Safeguarding Statement

The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults who we work with. We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989. Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.

If you experience any difficulties with submitting your application, please email askhr@britishcouncil.org