Payroll Manager

Michael Page; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Permanent/Contract

Strategic leadership

Hybrid/Flexible

Payroll transformation exposure

Career growth

SAP SuccessFactors tech

Collaborative leadership

Stability and growth

Benefits

Job summary

Michael Page is recruiting a commercially minded Payroll Manager for a high-profile financial services client in Sydney. You will lead a large payroll team, drive strategic payroll governance and partner with senior leaders to deliver compliant, efficient payrolls.

The role focuses on transforming payroll using SAP SuccessFactors, delivering improvements and robust controls in a regulated environment with a hybrid work arrangement.

Qualifications

• Experience as Payroll Manager or Head of Payroll in regulated environments.
• Strong experience managing teams of 10+ employees.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing capabilities.
• Experience partnering with Executive and Senior Leadership teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a large payroll team.
• Build partnerships with senior stakeholders across HR, Finance, Risk and Operations.
• Provide leadership across payroll strategy, governance and operational delivery.
• Ensure end-to-end payroll compliance with all legislative obligations.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and operational efficiencies.
• Oversee payroll controls, audit requirements and risk management activities.
• Act as senior escalation point for complex payroll matters.
• Collaborate with leadership teams on workforce and payroll projects.
• Optimize payroll processes within SAP SuccessFactors.
• Lead payroll transformation, change and system enhancement initiatives.
• Prepare and present payroll performance updates to executives.

Skills

Payroll leadership

Stakeholder management

Executive partner

Team leadership

Strategic thinking

Tools

SAP SuccessFactors

Job description

• Lead a strategic function within a respected financial services organisation
• Work with SAP SuccessFactors and modern payroll technology

• Lead a strategic function within a respected financial services organisation
• Work with SAP SuccessFactors and modern payroll technology

About Our Client

Our client is a well-established and highly regarded organisation operating within the financial services sector. With a strong reputation for innovation, governance and employee experience, they are seeking a commercially minded Payroll Manager to lead a critical business function and partner with senior leaders across the organisation.

Job Description

• Lead and develop a large payroll team
• Build strong partnerships with senior stakeholders across HR, Finance, Risk and Operations
• Provide leadership across payroll strategy, governance and operational delivery
• Ensure end-to-end payroll compliance with all legislative and statutory obligations
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and operational efficiencies
• Oversee payroll controls, audit requirements and risk management activities
• Act as the senior escalation point for complex payroll matters
• Collaborate with leadership teams on workforce and payroll-related projects
• Optimise payroll processes within SAP SuccessFactors
• Lead payroll transformation, change and system enhancement initiatives
• Prepare and present payroll performance updates to executive stakeholders
• Foster a culture of accountability, development and high performance

The Successful Applicant

The ideal candidate will be a proven payroll leader with experience leading medium to large payroll teams within complex and highly regulated environments. You will possess:

• Demonstrated experience as a Payroll Manager, Head of Payroll or Senior Payroll Leader
• SAP SuccessFactors experience is highly desirable
• Strong experience managing teams of 10+ employees
• Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing capabilities
• Proven experience partnering with Executive and Senior Leadership teams
• Financial Services, Banking, Insurance, Wealth or similarly regulated industry experience highly regarded
• Strong payroll governance, compliance and risk management expertise
• Experience leading payroll transformation and continuous improvement initiatives
• Excellent leadership, coaching and people development skills
• Strong commercial acumen and strategic thinking capability

What's on Offer

• Permanent or contract opportunity available
• Leadership role with genuine strategic influence
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Exposure to payroll transformation initiatives
• Career growth and development opportunities
• Modern technology environment including SAP SuccessFactors
• Collaborative and supportive leadership team
• Strong organisational stability and growth trajectory
• Attractive employee benefits program

Quote job ref: JN-092026-7104209