Payroll Controls & Governance Lead (9-Month FTC)

Downer; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

Flexible work arrangements

Parental leave

Employee Assistance Program

Diversity & inclusion

Job summary

Downer is seeking a Manager, Payroll Financial Controls & Governance to lead a specialist payroll team within the People Services function. You will oversee employee deductions, third-party payments and statutory payroll obligations while delivering strong governance and audit readiness across a large organisation.

The role focuses on simplifying processes, improving reporting, standardising ways of working, and shaping how payroll services are delivered, in collaboration with Payroll

Qualifications

• Experience in payroll, finance, governance, shared services or related operational environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead a small specialist team responsible for payroll financial controls and governance activities.
• Oversee employee deductions, third-party payments and statutory payroll obligations.
• Manage payroll-related reconciliations and financial reporting activities.
• Strengthen governance frameworks, controls and audit readiness.
• Partner with stakeholders across Payroll, Finance, Compliance and Systems teams.
• Identify opportunities to simplify, standardise and improve processes.
• Support reporting enhancements and operational efficiency initiatives.
• Contribute to transformation and continuous improvement across People Services.

Skills

Payroll

Governance

Reconciliations

Financial controls

Team leadership

Continuous improvement

Analytics

Job description

Downer is seeking a Manager, Payroll Financial Controls & Governance to lead a specialist payroll team within the People Services function. You will oversee employee deductions, third-party payments and statutory payroll obligations while delivering strong governance and audit readiness across a large organisation.

The role focuses on simplifying processes, improving reporting, standardising ways of working, and shaping how payroll services are delivered, in collaboration with Payroll