Payroll Manager

Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Hybrid work options

Volunteer leave

Car space

Free breakfast

Discounted lunches

Job summary

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (as part of VCET) seeks a forward-thinking Payroll Manager to lead a major payroll systems transformation and modernise our people processes. You will combine technical payroll expertise with project management to deliver a compliant, efficient function.

Working with People & Culture, Finance and Technology, you will implement system improvements, strengthen controls and help build a culture of continuous improvement across a small payroll team.

Qualifications

• Extensive payroll management experience in a complex, high-volume environment.
• Strong knowledge of Australian payroll legislation and EA compliance.
• Experience using Frontier's ichris payroll system.
• Experience implementing or improving payroll/workforce systems.
• Strong project planning and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead payroll system implementation and automation opportunities.
• Oversee accurate and timely payroll delivery for permanent and casual staff.
• Strengthen payroll controls and audit processes.
• Manage implementation plans, testing and change activities.
• Collaborate with People & Culture, Finance and Operations to improve processes.
• Enhance payroll reporting and data integrity.
• Lead a small team with a culture of continuous improvement.

Skills

Payroll leadership

Australian payroll law

Enterprise Agreements

Frontier ichris

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Excel & data analysis

Continuous improvement

Tools

ichris (Frontier)

Job description

Full-time, permanent position | South Wharf, Melbourne

Play a key role in payroll systems transformation

Flexible working arrangements

Join our team!

At the Victorian Convention and Exhibition Trust (VCET), we're in the business of creating exceptional experiences.

As the organisation behind Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) and Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre, we bring people together through some of Australia's most exciting events.

We're looking for a forward-thinking Payroll Manager who has experience using Frontier's ichris, to help shape the future of our payroll function.

About the role

This is more than a traditional payroll management role.

We're embarking on an exciting journey to modernise our people systems, processes and ways of working, and you'll play a key role in bringing this transformation to life.

Combining your technical payroll expertise with strong project management and systems thinking, you'll lead a reliable, compliant payroll function while helping build smarter, more efficient ways of working.

Working closely with People & Culture, Finance, Technology and Operational leaders, you'll have the opportunity to make a genuine impact.

What you'll be doing

Lead payroll system implementation, process improvements and automation opportunities

Oversee accurate and timely payroll delivery for our diverse permanent and casual workforce.

Strengthen payroll controls, audit processes, legislative compliance and Enterprise Agreement interpretation.

Manage implementation plans, testing, stakeholder engagement and change activities.

Work closely with People Business Partners and leaders to improve payroll understanding, processes and ways of working.

Enhance payroll reporting, data integrity and support remuneration activities.

Lead and build capability, accountability and a culture of continuous improvement within a small team.

What you'll bring

Extensive payroll management experience in a complex, high-volume environment.

Strong knowledge of Australian payroll legislation, Enterprise Agreements and compliance requirements.

Experience using Frontier's payroll system, ichris.

Experience implementing or improving payroll and workforce management systems.

Strong project planning, problem-solving and stakeholder engagement skills.

Experience working with large casualised or shift-based workforces.

Confidence with payroll reporting, data analysis and Excel.

A collaborative, hands‑on leadership style and continuous improvement mindset.

Most importantly, you'll enjoy the build phase - bringing fresh thinking, taking ownership and finding better ways to do things.

Shape the future of payroll through a significant systems transformation.

Join an evolving, collaborative People & Culture team.

Enjoy flexible and hybrid working options.

And our contribution to community initiatives, including paid volunteer leave.

Access a range of employee benefits, wellbeing initiatives and development opportunities including car space, free breakfast, discounted chef prepared lunches, discounted on-site dry cleaning, a genuine wellbeing focus, free event tickets to some of Melbourne’s best events and much much more

Why choose us?

Two iconic venues, one expert team!

At VCET, we create event experiences where ideas take shape, industries connect, and world‑class events come to life. Work across Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre; two venues built for innovation, collaboration, and impact.

Our people are at the heart of our success, bringing fresh thinking, expertise and a shared commitment to making the extraordinary happen