Payroll Manager

High Growth Ventures; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hours

Parental leave

Health & wellbeing initiatives

Learning & development

Salary packaging

Retail discounts

Job summary

KPMG in Sydney is seeking a Manager to lead our Payroll Operations team, overseeing end-to-end payroll processing for a diverse client base and providing payroll consulting services for local and international organisations.

You will drive operational excellence, manage weekly, fortnightly and monthly payroll cycles, and ensure accuracy and regulatory compliance. You will mentor juniors and contribute to innovative payroll solutions within a collaborative practice.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated Australian payroll processing and compliance experience.
• New Zealand payroll experience required.
• 10+ years in payroll operations with complex environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead end‑to‑end payroll processing for a diverse client base.
• Oversee weekly, fortnightly, and monthly payroll cycles.
• Review outputs for accuracy and compliance.
• Support statutory obligations and reporting.
• Maintain and update superannuation details and reconciliations.
• Lead payroll consulting engagements and provide process improvements.
• Prepare payroll advisory reports with observations and risks.
• Collaborate with Workforce Advisory to foster growth culture.
• Mentor and develop junior team members.

Skills

Relationship building

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Independent work

Education

Certificate IV in Payroll Administration

Tools

Aurion

Chris21

SAP

Job description

As a Manager, you will play a key role within our Payroll Operations team, managing a portfolio of clients and overseeing the delivery of end‑to‑end payroll processing and payroll consulting services for a diverse group of local and international organisations.

You will be responsible for ensuring payroll services are delivered accurately, efficiently and in line with local rules and legislation. You will also support the continued growth of KPMG’s payroll outsourcing and consulting practice by driving operational excellence, contributing to process improvements and supporting innovation initiatives within the team.

In this role, you will also have opportunities to work on payroll consulting projects, advising clients on best practice payroll frameworks, supporting payroll transformation programs, and providing technical guidance in specialist areas. This may include short‑term secondments to clients when required. You will develop strong professional relationships with clients and internal stakeholders, while continuing to grow your capability as a senior leader within the practice.

Your opportunity

• Work closely with senior leadership to enhance service delivery, uplift operational efficiency and support innovative payroll solutions.
• Manage and oversee a team responsible for weekly, fortnightly and monthly end‑to‑end payroll processing.
• Review payroll outputs to ensure accuracy, compliance and timely delivery.
• Support clients with payroll statutory obligations, reporting requirements and legislative compliance.
• Maintain and update superannuation details, including preparation of reconciliations and superannuation payments.
• Lead payroll consulting engagements, providing insights, recommendations and process improvements to optimise client payroll operations.
• Prepare payroll advisory reports outlining observations, risks and best practice recommendations.
• Collaborate with the broader Workforce Advisory practice, contributing to a high‑performing, growth‑oriented culture.
• Mentor, coach and develop junior team members to support their technical and professional growth.

How are you extraordinary?

• You are a relationship builder, with keen communication skills and the knack for building and managing relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capability with the ability to work independently and deliver high‑quality outcomes.
• You have a can‑do attitude and are always seeking creative solutions to problems with the help of the right technical tools and a supportive team.

Your Experience

• Demonstrated experience in Australian payroll processing and compliance, including knowledge of tax legislation, superannuation, enterprise agreements and remuneration frameworks.
• New Zealand payroll experience is required.
• Significant experience managing payroll operations (typically 10+ years), with strong exposure to complex payroll environments.
• Experience working in a payroll outsourcing environment is highly regarded.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office, including intermediate Excel skills for reporting and analytics.
• Fast and accurate data entry with exceptional attention to detail.
• Working knowledge of large payroll systems such as Aurion, Chris21, and SAP.

Qualifications

• Certificate IV in Payroll Administration or equivalent.
• Other relevant payroll‑related certifications and/or demonstrated on‑the‑job experience in payroll processing, including hands‑on system and legislative experience.

Additional Information

KPMG is a professional services firm with global outreach and deep sector experience. We work with clients across an array of industries to solve complex challenges, steer change and enable growth.

Our people are what make KPMG the thriving workplace that it is and what sets us apart is that we know great minds think differently. Collaborate with a team of passionate, highly skilled professionals who’ve got your back. You’ll build relationships with unique and diverse colleagues who will provide you with the support you need to be your best and produce meaningful and impactful work in an inclusive, equitable culture.

At KPMG, you’ll take control over how you work. We’re embracing a new way of working in many ways, from offering flexible hours and locations to generous paid parental leave and career breaks. Our people enjoy a variety of exciting perks, including retail discounts, health and wellbeing initiatives, learning and growth opportunities, salary packaging options and more.

Diverse candidates have diverse needs. During your recruitment journey, information will be provided about adjustment requests. If you require additional support before submitting your application, please contact the Talent Attraction Support Team.

At KPMG every career is different, and we look forward to seeing how you grow with us.