Payroll and HR Systems Specialist

Sutherland Shire Council; Sydney; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

8% pay rise over two years

Novated leasing / salary sacrificing

Up to 26 weeks paid leave for serious/

14 weeks paid parental leave

Employee Assistance Program

Fitness Passport

Annual flu vaccinations

Job summary

Sutherland Shire Council is seeking a Payroll and HR Systems Specialist to lead and continually improve the Council’s payroll and HR systems. You will partner with Payroll, People & Culture, and IT to design and implement practical, compliant system solutions that enhance accuracy and employee experience.

The role emphasizes system configuration, process simplification and robust reporting using ERP, Excel, and Power BI across recruitment, onboarding, learning, performance, and payroll life

Qualifications

• Formal qualifications in Human Resources, Finance, Business Systems or related discipline.
• Significant experience administering, configuring and improving payroll and HR systems in a complex workforce environment.
• Strong knowledge of payroll operations, industrial instruments, employment conditions, superannuation, taxation and statutory obligations.

Responsibilities

• Lead, support and continuously improve Council’s payroll and HR systems to be reliable, secure and compliant.
• Identify issues, design solutions, configure, test and implement system and process outcomes.
• Turn complex workforce needs into clear system specifications, workflows and business rules.
• Ensure end-to-end processes are aligned and support accurate payroll and industrial outcomes.

Skills

Payroll operations

HR systems

Data analytics

Power BI

Excel

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Communication

Education

Formal qualifications in HR, Finance or Business Systems

Tools

OneCouncil

TechnologyOne

SAP

Workday

PeopleSoft

Job description

Are you the person people turn to when payroll, HR systems, data and processes need to make sense?

This is a rare opportunity for a standout Payroll and HR Systems Specialist who can combine deep payroll knowledge, strong systems design expertise and thoughtful problem-solving to improve the way our people and workforce systems work together.

You will help design and configure future-proof critical systems, simplify complex processes and leave a lasting legacy in a role where accuracy, service, payroll compliance and employee experience truly matter.

Why this role matters

Payroll and HR systems sit at the heart of the employee experience. When these systems work well, people are paid accurately, processes are simpler, leaders have better information, and employees experience a more connected and reliable organisation.

About The Role

As Payroll and HR Systems Specialist, you will lead, support and continuously improve Council’s payroll and HR systems so they are reliable, secure, compliant and aligned with our operational and strategic workforce needs.

In this rewarding and influential role, you will:

• Be Council’s subject matter expert for the OneCouncil, TechnologyOne, Payroll and HR platform and related workforce management systems.
• In partnership with the Payroll Team Lead, identify issues, design solutions, configure, test and implement practical, effective system and process outcomes.
• Partner with People & Culture, Payroll, IM&T, Finance and business leaders to turn complex workforce and operational needs into clear system solutions and streamlined processes.
• Act as the key connection point between Payroll and People & Culture, ensuring end-to-end processes are aligned, efficient and support accurate payroll and industrial outcomes.
• Support and improve systems and processes across recruitment, onboarding, learning, performance, organisational management, payroll, workforce reporting and offboarding.
• Work with external system partners and vendors to resolve issues, deliver enhancements and maximise the value of Council’s payroll and HR systems.
• Strengthen reporting and data capability to support workforce insights, informed decision-making and strategic workforce planning.
• Ensure systems and processes comply with relevant legislation, industrial requirements, policies, security standards and governance frameworks.

Who We're Looking For

We are seeking a proactive, analytical and collaborative professional who is passionate about using technology to improve payroll, HR processes and workforce outcomes. This role will suit someone who enjoys complexity, values accuracy and can bring calm, practical judgement to detailed systems and payroll challenges.

You will bring:

• Formal qualifications in Human Resources, Finance, Business Systems or a related discipline, or equivalent deep practical experience across payroll, HR systems and workforce processes.
• Significant experience administering, configuring and improving payroll and HR systems in a complex workforce environment.
• Strong knowledge of payroll operations, industrial instruments, employment conditions, superannuation, taxation and statutory obligations, with a clear focus on compliance, accuracy and data integrity.
• The ability to understand business requirements and translate them into effective system specifications, workflows, business rules and practical technology solutions.
• Experience supporting HR operations across the employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, organisational management, learning, performance and talent processes.
• Strong reporting, data analytics and business intelligence capability, with the ability to develop meaningful reports, dashboards and workforce insights using ERP, Microsoft Excel and Power BI tools.
• Experience in business process analysis, solution design, process documentation and developing clear operational processes and work standards.
• Project, testing and implementation experience, including test planning, user acceptance testing, defect management and supporting system and process change.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to explain complex payroll, technical and system concepts in clear, practical terms.
• Strong organisation, time management, analytical capability and attention to detail, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet critical deadlines.
• A collaborative, trusted and service-focused approach, with the ability to build strong relationships across all levels of the organisation.
• Experience with systems such as SAP, Workday or PeopleSoft

The personal qualities that will help you thrive

Beyond your technical expertise, you will bring care, curiosity and discipline to your work. You will be comfortable navigating complexity, asking thoughtful questions, challenging assumptions and turning technical requirements into simple, practical solutions.

You will understand the importance of confidentiality, compliance and accuracy, while also bringing a genuine commitment to service, continuous improvement and positive employee experiences.

Salary & Benefits

• Attractive salary package will be negotiated with the successful candidate.
• Council commitment to an 8% pay increase over the next two years
• Novated leasing / salary sacrificing options
• Up to 26 weeks paid leave if you or someone in your care experiences a serious illness or accident
• 14 weeks paid parental leave
• Employee Assistance Program and wellbeing support
• Fitness Passport
• Annual flu vaccinations

Work-Life Balance That Works

We know great leaders do their best work when they have time for life outside of work too.

• Accrue up to 1 day off per month
• 4 weeks annual leave
• 5 additional MyLeave days (to support your health and wellbeing)
• 2 weeks sick leave
• 7 days personal leave

Join our Team and Grow with Us!

Hours of work: Permanent Full-Time. You will have the option of a 19 day month through Council’s Accrued Day Off (ADO) system.

Suitable candidates are subject to pre-employment screening which includes Reference Checks, Work Rights Verification, Identity and Functional/Medical History Checks, and will also include a Criminal History, Qualification and Working with Children Check. Employment is subject to clearance of all these checks.

Council is a Child Safe Organisation and is committed to ensuring the NSW Government’s Child Safe Standards are incorporated in our procedures, practices, programs, and events.

Sutherland Shire Council values the skills and attributes Veterans can bring to our Council. We understand that transitioning to roles outside of Defence can feel challenging. If you're unsure where to begin or would appreciate guidance throughout the application process, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Reach out to Leisl Guest [e-mail] Chief Human Resource Officer for any job specific enquiries.

Alison Wady [e-mail] Talent Acquisition Business Partner, can assist with any recruitment related enquiries.