Payroll Lead

Job Description

Role Overview : The Payroll Lead at Vegrow will be responsible for managing end-to-end payroll processes for all full time and contractual employees including interns, ensuring accuracy, compliance, timely disbursement of salaries and will be responsible for all the other HR operational activities as part of the employee lifecycle . The role requires in-depth experience in payroll administration, statutory compliance, hire to retire processes, employee policies & benefits, audits and proficiency in using KEKA or any other equivalent HRIS. Additionally, the ideal candidate will manage ESOP administration. This position will manage a team of 2. Key Responsibilities: Payroll Administration: Own and manage the full cycle of payroll processing including variable pay, reimbursements, attendance, leaves, and final settlements. Coordinate with HR and Finance teams to collect and verify inputs on time. Ensure accurate and timely processing of monthly payroll with minimal errors. Payroll Scope: Full time & Contractual Employees, Interns etc. HRIS (Keka) Management: Utilize Keka (HRIS) for end-to-end payroll, attendance, and employee data management. Maintain up-to-date employee information and payroll configurations within the system. Generate and analyze payroll reports, audit logs, and statutory outputs through Keka. Statutory Compliance: Ensure full compliance with statutory regulations including EPF, ESI, PT, Income Tax, LWF, and other applicable laws. Prepare and file periodic returns and challans as per statutory timelines. Keep abreast of changes in labor laws and taxation that impact payroll. Third-Party Vendor Coordination: Work closely with staffing vendors and outsourcing partners to gather payroll inputs, validate invoices, and ensure on-time payments. Monitor vendor SLA adherence, contract terms, compliance documentation, and audit readiness. Maintain a centralized tracker for vendor payouts and related statutory remittances. ESOP Management: Maintain and manage employee stock option data, including grants, vesting schedules, and exercises. Coordinate with legal, finance, and external partners for ESOP transactions and reporting. Ensure accurate reflection of ESOP-related tax implications in monthly payroll. Assist employees with queries related to their ESOPs and provide timely information on vesting and exercise status. Employee Benefits Administration: Manage the administration of employee Flexi benefits as part of the compensation structure. Own the administration of Employee Insurance benefits that includes GMC, GPA and Term Life Insurance. Manage National Pension Scheme (NPS) as part of the employee benefit in payroll. Evaluate and incorporate any other benefit as necessary to enhance employee experience. Hire to Retire Processes: Be the owner of all hire to retire processes that includes Onboarding, Appraisal documentation & processing, Transfer & Relocation, Promotion and Exit etc. Introduce or make changes to the existing process work flows and policies as and when necessary Employee Support: Serve as the first point of contact for all payroll and compensation-related employee queries. Provide employees with payslips, tax declarations, and year-end Form 16s. Educate employees on salary structures, deductions, reimbursements, and stock options. Audit & Reporting: Prepare and maintain payroll-related documentation for audits, both internal and external. Reconcile payroll with accounting and provide timely inputs for financial reporting. Liaise with the auditors and ensure timely completion of audits Process Improvements: Continuously identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency, compliance and employee experience. Collaborate with the HRIS vendor (Keka) to optimize payroll workflows and solve system-related issues. Requirements: Bachelor's degree in Commerce, Finance, HR, or a related field. 5-8 years of experience in payroll administration, including statutory compliance and ESOP data management. People management experience is preferrable. Minimum 2 years of hands-on experience using Keka or an equivalent HRIS platform. Solid understanding of Indian payroll regulations and tax laws. Proficiency in Excel and experience with payroll reconciliations and reporting. Experience managing and maintaining ESOP data and related employee communications. Strong attention to detail, analytical skills, and ability to handle confidential information responsibly. Excellent interpersonal skills and a customer-service orientation. Preferred Qualifications: Prior experience working in a startup or high-growth environment. Familiarity with equity management platforms or tools. Basic understanding of compensation structuring and CTC components. Why Join Vegrow? Join a purpose-driven company transforming Indian agriculture at scale. Opportunity to build scalable and robust HR/payroll processes from the ground up. Work alongside a highly driven, transparent, and collaborative team. .