Global Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Job Summary

We are seeking a detail-oriented and bilingual Global Payroll & Benefits Specialist to oversee the compliance, operational integrity, and accuracy of our expatriate payroll, benefits, and global mobility programs. This role will manage the day-to-day payroll processing and benefits administration for our expatriate workforce, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant delivery of compensation and benefits across South Korea and the U.S.

Key Responsibilities

• Process and administer dual/shadow payroll for expatriates, ensuring accurate tax withholding and reporting in both South Korea and the U.S.
• Conduct regular pre- and post-payroll audits to verify calculation accuracy, bonus structures, foreign service premiums, housing allowances, and cost-of-living adjustments (COLA).
• Track and update COLA, foreign service premium, and housing allowance rates in coordination with global mobility providers.
• Manage Certificate of Coverage (Totalization Agreement) applications to eliminate dual social security tax liability for expatriates.
• Oversee expatriate benefit schemes, including health insurance and relocation packages.
• Administer expatriate benefits enrollment, including health insurance, relocation, and home leave benefits.
• Verify total reward structures, ensuring proper documentation and approvals for expatriate allowances (e.g., tuition support, housing, vehicle allowances).
• Monitor and enforce compliance with U.S. FLSA, IRS regulations, South Korean Labor Standards Act, and international assignment policy guidelines.
• Identify operational risks, control gaps, or compliance exposure in global mobility practices and implement corrective action plans.
• Partner with external tax counsel and third-party global mobility providers to manage hypothetical tax (Hypo-Tax) calculations, tax equalization, and annual tax reconciliations.
• Coordinate the timely exchange of payroll data between HQ and local entity operations.
• Coordinate with vendors (insurance carriers, relocation companies, tax providers) to ensure timely and accurate service delivery.
• Maintain accurate expatriate payroll and benefits records, ensuring documentation is audit-ready.
• Prepare monthly/quarterly reports on expatriate payroll costs and benefits utilization for HR and Finance leadership.
• Assist with assignment cost estimates and budgeting for new expatriate placements.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for expatriates on day-to-day payroll and benefits inquiries, providing timely and culturally sensitive support.

Qualifications & Skills

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Experience: 0–5 years of experience in payroll, accounting, global mobility, or HR — with a heavy focus on Korean expatriate management.
• Language: Fluency in both English and Korean (written and verbal) is required to communicate effectively with Korean HQ and local teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of payroll systems (e.g., ADP, SAP, Workday) preferred.
• Familiarity with U.S.–Korea tax treaty provisions and Totalization Agreement procedures preferred.
• Strong Excel skills for data reconciliation and reporting.

Core Competencies

• High attention to detail and accuracy in handling sensitive compensation data.
• Strong sense of confidentiality and discretion.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to support expatriates across cultures.