Payroll Manager

Austal; Cockburn; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Austal, based in Henderson, Australia, is seeking a Payroll Manager to lead end-to-end payroll across Australia and international sites. The role focuses on accuracy, timeliness, compliance with Australian legislation, and continuous improvement of payroll controls within Workday.

You will manage a high-volume operation (~1,200 employees), develop the payroll team, oversee audits, and provide accurate reporting to management.

Qualifications

• Experience managing end-to-end payroll operations across multiple jurisdictions.
• Strong knowledge of Australian payroll legislation and STP.
• Proven ability to lead and develop a payroll team.
• Experience with Workday Payroll and reporting.
• Ability to manage high-volume payroll with accuracy and timeliness.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end payroll for ~1,200 staff across Australia and overseas.
• Lead payroll calendars, reconciliations, and sign-off processes.
• Act as SME for Workday payroll; drive system improvements.
• Ensure compliance with PAYG, superannuation, awards, and audits.
• Develop reports and dashboards for management.

Skills

Payroll management

Workday payroll

Leadership & coaching

Regulatory compliance

Data accuracy

Education

Qualification in Payroll Management or equivalent

Tertiary qualification in Accounting/Finance/HR

Tools

Workday

Job description

About the Opportunity

Based in Henderson the Payroll Manager will be responsible for overseeing the accurate, timely and compliant delivery of end-to-end payroll operations across Austal. The role ensures payroll processes comply with relevant Australian legislation, industrial instruments, enterprise agreements, awards, and internal policies. The role will lead and develop the payroll function, drive continuous improvement, maintain effective payroll controls, and ensure the integrity of payroll data and reporting.

About Austal

Austal is Australia's global shipbuilder, Defence prime contractor; and maritime technology partner of choice. We design, construct, and support defence and commercial vessels for the world's leading operators with operations spanning Australia, the USA, Philippines, and Vietnam. With operations spanning multiple sites, Austal offers diverse career opportunities in trades, maintenance, engineering support, project services, corporate functions and operational delivery. Under the Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement, Austal is leading a new era of continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia. We're driving innovation, supporting sovereign capability, and creating long-term opportunities for Australian industry and workers. This is your opportunity to contribute to projects of national significance. The maritime is now.

What's Involved

• Over see end-to-end payroll function, supporting approximately 1,200 employees across Australia, United Kingdom and Trinidad & Tobago, with continued growth anticipated
• Manage payroll activities, including new starters, terminations, remuneration changes, allowances, deductions, overtime, leave, superannuation, and reimbursements
• Ensure accurate calculation and processing of employee entitlements, including leave accruals and termination payments
• Manage payroll calendars, cut-off dates, reconciliations, reporting and payroll sign-off processes
• Manage complex payroll queries and escalations, ensuring timely and professional resolution
• Act as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Workday payroll, leading system enhancements, upgrades, testing, configuration, and process improvements
• Maintain payroll system integrity, data accuracy, and effective payroll delivery across all payroll-related Workday functionality
• Develop and maintain payroll reports, dashboards, and data extracts to support operational compliance, and management reporting requirements
• Investigate and resolve payroll issues, discrepancies and data integrity concerns
• Oversee compliance with PAYG withholding, Single Touch Payroll (STP), payroll tax, workers' compensation, superannuation and other relevant statutory obligations
• Coordinate payroll audits and implement corrective actions arising from audit findings
• Lead, coach and develop the payroll team, establishing clear responsibilities, performance expectations and service standards

You'll Need

• Relevant qualification in Payroll Management or equivalent
• High attention to detail
• Proven ability to lead, develop and motivate a payroll team
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and deliver accurate payroll outcomes within strict deadlines
• 3+ years experience as a Payroll Manager position, in blue/white collar workforce
• 5+ years experience in a high-volume payroll position processing weekly and monthly pay cycles
• Demonstrated experience managing end to end payroll operations
• Strong understanding of payroll systems, integrations, data management and reporting
• Strong knowledge of Australian payroll legislation, taxation, superannuation, employment awards, enterprise agreements and statutory reporting obligations
• Eligibility for a Defence Security Clearance
• Experience with Workday Payroll including reporting, calculated fields, business processes, integrations, or payroll-related configuration
• Experience in International Payroll (UK and/or Europe)
• Relevant tertiary qualification in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources or related discipline

Why Join Us?

• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• A supportive and dynamic work environment.
• Opportunities for career advancement within our growing organisation.

At Austal we are committed to providing a safe and inclusive work environment for all. We believe that achieving greater diversity will enhance our operations and as such we actively encourage Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders, people of all backgrounds, ages, sexual orientation, and those with Disability to apply. Veterans are also encouraged to apply.

Learn more at https://www.austaljobs.com/australia