C&B Specialist - Shanghai

As an international architectural firm, UNS is active in the broadest fields of architecture. Our project portfolio covers every aspect of architecture, ranging from small to large-scale projects, research, and theory. The atmosphere within each of our offices is international, multidisciplinary, design-oriented, and ambitious, but also open, non-hierarchical, team-based, and friendly, with attention to personal well-being, knowledge development, and career planning.

We are currently looking for a C&B Specialist to join our team, supporting compensation and benefits operations across our Shanghai and Hong Kong offices. The ideal candidate should have solid experience in C&B administration, a good understanding of local labor regulations in both regions, and a detail-oriented, analytical mindset.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage monthly payroll processing for Shanghai and Hong Kong offices, ensuring accuracy and timeliness, conducting detailed reviews of variance reports, salary registers, and bank files to guarantee accuracy and authorization

• Administer the full suite of employee benefits: commercial insurance enrollment and claims support, flexible benefits platforms, and the firm’s leave policies. Propose improvements to enhance the employee value proposition

• Manage the calculation and reconciliation of expatriate tax equalization/ protection schemes. Handle split-payroll arrangements, shadow payroll reporting, and coordinate cross-border social security certificates of coverage

• Ensure full compliance across all entities (China and Hong Kong, if applicable) for social security, housing fund, and MPF; manage the annual social insurance base audit and salary adjustment process with the external provider

• Maintain and optimize the leave policy framework; configure complex accrual rules in Excel (or future HRIS); audit leave balances and coordinate annual leave buy/sell or carry-forward processes

• Play as the key power-user of all payroll and C&B master data in Excel. Lead the data cleansing and requirements gathering for a potential future HRIS/payroll system implementation, focusing on C&B modules

• Manage the relationship with the external payroll outsourcing agency and benefit brokers

• Coordinate with finance, HR, and external vendors (e.g., insurance brokers, tax agents) to ensure smooth C&B operations

• Create clear, engaging materials (guides, FAQ sheets) to help employees understand their compensation structure, benefits coverage, and tax implications, especially for new expatriate hires

• Perform ad hoc duties as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Finance, Business, or related field is preferred

• 5-7 years of experience in C&B or payroll role, preferably covering both Hong Kong and mainland China

• Deep knowledge of China statutory benefits, IIT computation, and special expatriate tax schemes. Working knowledge of Hong Kong Employment Ordinance and MPF is a significant plus

• Advanced Excel Expertise: must be highly proficient in building dynamic models for tax calculations, salary benchmarking charts, cost simulations, and automated allowance trackers using formulas, pivot tables

• Strong analytical skills: able to transform raw payroll data into clear headcount, cost, and turnover metric reports for leadership

• Strong numerical sense, attention to detail, and ability to meet monthly deadlines

• Strong vendor management and external stakeholder coordination skills

• Good command of English and Chinese, both written and spoken

• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion

Contact
Working conditions are according to local legislation in Shanghai. Benefits are consistent within UNS Shanghai office. Applications consisting of a short motivation letter, C.V., and relevant certificates can be sent digitally (PDF, max. 10MB) to Feely Pan at hr.asia@unstudio.com.

What we offer

• You will work on high-profile, challenging global projects

• You will be part of an innovative, dynamic, professional, and academic work environment

• Your experience is highly valued, but your innovation and proactivity matter most

• You will work in an ambitious, collaborative, and socially responsible international team across all levels

• You will learn through exploration and grow your knowledge continuously