Associate Vice President

Who we are

As a global law firm our work spans jurisdictions, cultures, and languages – and so do our people.

Our culture is collaborative and inclusive — where diverse perspectives are recognised and valued. Where performing to your highest ability, unlocks equal access to opportunities to learn, thrive and grow. 

We combine deep legal expertise and commercial intelligence to grow, transform, protect, and defend our clients' businesses, across every critical moment.

We operate in the sectors and regions that matter to our clients. With forward-thinking insights and innovative, tech-enabled solutions that combine deep knowledge of their sectors and markets.

You’ll build connections and work with colleagues as one global team. You’ll unlock opportunities for clients, across borders, cultures, legal and commercial disciplines.

Join us to work with colleagues as one global team – empowering each other to be exceptional and create advantage for our clients.

Our India team is a well-established and integral part of the firm’s global operations, delivering high-value support across a wide spectrum of functions. With over 800 business professionals based in Gurugram and Hyderabad, we’ve been driving operational excellence and innovation for more than 15 years.

We contribute to global success in areas such as Information Technology, Finance, Human Resources, Risk & Compliance, Legal Support, Research & Knowledge, Document Production, Virtual Executive Assistance, Programme Management, Client & Market Development, and Continuous Improvement.

The role

• This is Delhi Office of Clifford Chance LLP Reg in UK, which provides support to our 30+ offices worldwide. 
• To provide strategic leadership and high-quality advice and support to Global offices, through the excellent management of Payroll CoE, ensuring the employee lifecycle is effectively automated whilst not compromising on excellence of customer service. Advising Senior Management as appropriate. Responsible for the effective management of Payroll CoE, Team leading, continuous improvement and modernisation initiatives for all employee lifecycle activities.
• The post holder has line management responsibility for the Payroll CoE, and will be required to engage with the offices and identify opportunities for support from the Payroll CoE. The post holder will report to the Head of the Department
• Direct contract management of Third-party provider of HR/Payroll platform (if required)
• Budgetary responsibility

Who you will work with

• In this role you will work in Centre of Excellence - Payroll Team and your responsibility it is to manage, improve and support the end-to-end process.
• Liaise regularly with Global Business Managers to gather market intelligence and stakeholder feedback, identifying other areas of need to feed into business development activities. 

What you will be responsible for

Service Delivery:

• Develop matrix management model and work closely with the Global Payroll teams to ensure joined up working in a collaborative and complementary way.
• Ensure all staff in the respective global offices are paid accurately and on time
• Ensure that transactional employee services routines are managed well and in the most efficient way possible, and introduce regular quality checks on key workflows
• Provide team training on new or changed processes and protocols, bring legislative changes to life and ensure the team is regularly refreshed and updated, and take ownership of their continuous professional development
• Respond to complex correspondence and queries from customers, Local Authority and external bodies, which require professional advice.  

What you will do

Key Measures :

• • SLA's
  • COE-Payroll Team performance
  • Customer Satisfaction/survey
  • Key Matrixes and quality reports
  • Payroll KPi’s e.g staff paid on time & correctly

Service Delivery :

• Develop matrix management model and work closely with the Global Payroll teams to ensure joined up working in a collaborative and complementary way.
• Ensure all staff in the respective global offices are paid accurately and on time
• Ensure that transactional employee services routines are managed well and in the most efficient way possible, and introduce regular quality checks on key workflows
• Provide team training on new or changed processes and protocols, bring legislative changes to life and ensure the team is regularly refreshed and updated, and take ownership of their continuous professional development
• Respond to complex correspondence and queries from customers, Local Authority and external bodies, which require professional advice.

Continuous Improvement and Quality Assurance :

• In conjunction with the  Head of the Department and Payroll Manager, develop, implement and review processes to monitor and reduce error rate and under/overpayment of employees.
• Assist the Director of Finance and Head of the Department in the management and delivery of appropriate projects that support the continuous development and improvement of the Payroll CoE,with a focus on automation of processes.

Data Management and Reporting :

• Collate and prepare KPI information, reports, newsletters and bulletins for senior management, the Local Authority and customers as required.
• Ensure the effective maintenance of all appropriate records, including HR systems and other databases.
• Develop, implement and review appropriate policies and procedures to comply with legislative requirements and relevant terms and conditions.
• Provide line management support to the Team through regular 1-2-1 meetings, round table discussions, and appraisals, along with effective coaching and direction,to ensure that process improvements are successfully articulated, agreed, embedded and where appropriate, reviewed.
• Manage the teams work plan and improvement projects ensuring the co ordination and allocation of work, ensuring quality assurance and continuous improvement activities to agreed plans.

Working Conditions/Circumstances

• Payroll CoE may be required to work closely with onshore teams.  To support this approach, all Payroll CoE staff may be required to work with external and internal partners, work across formal lines of accountability and perform duties not specifically identified in the job description but which are in line with the general level of responsibility of the post.
• To be proactive and take initiatives to review and make suggestions to improve processes and procedures in relation to payroll systems, reconciliation processes and procedures in accordance with Payroll global policies and procedures, accounting policies, financial regulations and best practice.
• Assist in timely implementation of IA recommendations and  compliance of key and all controls as part of the Mandatory Controls.
• You will work with Financial Controllers to set and maintain service levels and to deliver a high standard of output whilst managing expectations within the confines of the Finance system.
• You will recommend processing improvements to maximize efficiency without jeopardizing financial control or compliance with Clifford Chance policy and Statutory requirements.
• You will keep processes and transactions Audit ready. 

Your experience

Personal Success Characteristics

• Proven ability to handle complexity of the Finance Processes.
• Strong problem solving, trouble shooting and analytical skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meeting timelines.
• Highly motivated and creative, bringing fresh ideas to the table.
• Excellent listening, interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Positive attitude and dedication.
• Organizational and Strategic thinking.
• Comfortable working in team as well as on your own

Skills & Experience

• Post-Graduate with 15+ years of post qualification experience with an exposure of working in an MNC.
• Comprehensive knowledge and experience of managing a Global Payroll team in a large organization.
• Relevant Global payroll knowledge and experience of Month End reconciliations.
• Experience of and involvement in financial year-end processes.
• Conceptual and practical experience in researching, understanding and communicating technical accounting issues
• Excellent quantitative and analytical skills with strong time management, organizational and problem-solving skills and the ability to multi-task and work in a deadline-driven environment
• Working knowledge of accounting and payroll systems (Preferably Oracle R-12 / Keystone Practice / WorkDay / SAP / ADP).
• Ability to manage the third party payroll vendors, auditor (internal and external).
• Ability and exposure in the migration, implementation and upgradtion of the new Payroll systems.
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently to deliver a common goal or objective and work across team boundaries to build and strengthen working relationships.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to interact effectively at all levels across the organization
• Must be highly self-motivated with strong initiative, accountability, and attention to detail with the ability to work independently.
• Ability to plan, organise and prioritise workload, including co-ordinating with others and ensuring that statutory and other deadlines and targets are met.
• Ability to use creativity and initiative to solve complex problems, take independent decisions and seek clarification when required.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite: Word, Visio, Excel, and PowerPoint with knowledge of Power-BI and other analytical tool will be helpful.
• Certification in Lean will be an added advantage. 
• Commitment to and understanding of equal opportunities issues within a diverse and multicultural environment. 

How we will support you

From your first day with us, you will have varied opportunities to continuously grow and development your skills and knowledge. From formal training, informal coaching and mentoring through to skills-based and technical training and on the job learning.

Equal opportunities

At Clifford Chance, we forge an inclusive culture, where diverse perspectives are recognised and valued. It’s a culture where everyone has equal access to opportunities to thrive and succeed. We are guided by our values-based Code, which sets high standards of conduct and has a principle focused on being inclusive.

We comply with the law and regulations in every location where we operate and we are committed to delivering fair and equal access to all applicants and employees irrespective of background. This applies across all aspects of employment from recruitment and selection to development, progression, and day-to-day working life.  

Our global network of affinity, faith and support groups are open to all. These communities help to create an environment where everyone at the firm can feel they belong and can reach their full potential.

Find out more about our inclusive culture here