Payroll Team Lead

Macquarie University; Sydney; On-site; AUD 126,000 - 141,000; Full time

Job summary

Macquarie University in Sydney seeks a hands-on Team Leader, Payroll Services to lead the payroll operations and a capable team, delivering accurate pay experiences with governance and compliance. You will oversee daily payroll delivery, coach team members, and drive continuous improvement using data insights.

You will manage complex remuneration including benefits, ensure timely pay, stakeholder oversight, and align processes with statutory requirements while fostering a culture of service

Qualifications

• A relevant tertiary qualification in business, human resources, accounting, finance or related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience managing payroll operations in a complex, high-volume environment with governance and risk mitigation.
• Solid knowledge of payroll legislation, awards, enterprise agreements and compliance requirements.
• Experience guiding, coaching and developing teams to achieve service and performance objectives.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to use data to improve performance.
• Experience using complex HR/Payroll enterprise systems (Dayforce/APAY, Kronos, Workday, ServiceNow or Finance1).
• Payroll-related certification, accreditation or professional membership is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day payroll operations and payroll enquiries, including compensation and benefits.
• Coach and develop team members to build a high-performing, customer-focused culture.
• Manage workflow priorities and monitor performance to meet service standards and deadlines.
• Act as escalation point for complex payroll enquiries and risk management.
• Ensure compliance with payroll controls, governance and legislative requirements.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives and system changes.
• Analyze payroll data to identify trends and drive process improvements.
• Build relationships with leaders to address systemic payroll challenges.
• Coordinate payroll-related audits and remediation actions.
• Develop and maintain payroll policies and documentation.

Skills

Payroll operations

Coaching & development

Governance & compliance

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Attention to detail

Customer service mindset

Education

Tertiary qualification in business/HR/finance

Tools

Dayforce APAY

Kronos

Workday

ServiceNow

Finance1

Job description

Macquarie University Macquarie University is a top-performing modern university situated in Sydney Australia. With its consistency in excellence and eminence over the years, Macquarie has become a five-star university. Essentially,...

Job Description:

- Salary: $126,306– $140,543 (HEW 8) per annum, plus 17% superannuation and annual leave loading

- Appointment type: Full-time, continuing role

- Location: Macquarie University, Wallumattagal Campus, North Ryde

Lead payroll excellence, develop a capable team, and deliver pay experiences our people can rely on.

As Team Leader, Payroll Services, you will guide that team and shape the everyday experience of paying our people well.

This is a hands-on leadership role where you will oversee the delivery of payroll operations and pay-related enquiry services, including compensation and benefits. You will balance operational delivery with people development, using data and insight to lift service quality, streamline processes, and uphold the governance and compliance standards our community expects.

If you enjoy turning complex payroll challenges into reliable outcomes, and you find purpose in helping a team grow and perform, we would welcome your application.

About the Role

Reporting to the Manager, Payroll Services, you will manage the day-to-day delivery of payroll operations and pay-related enquiry services, ensuring accurate, timely and customer-focused outcomes.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing the day-to-day delivery of payroll operations and pay-related enquiry services, including compensation and benefits, and escalating payroll issues promptly to key business stakeholders.
• Guiding, coaching and developing team members through regular feedback to help build a high-performing, customer-focused culture and grow team capability.
• Allocating work, managing workflow priorities and monitoring performance so service standards, deadlines and quality requirements are consistently met.
• Acting as the primary escalation point for complex payroll enquiries and issues, enabling timely resolution and appropriate management of risk.
• Ensuring compliance with payroll controls, segregation of duties, legislative requirements and approved policies, procedures and governance frameworks.
• Identifying and helping to implement continuous improvement initiatives, including process enhancements, system changes and service delivery improvements.
• Evaluating payroll, enquiry and performance data to identify trends, inform decisions and improve processes, procedures and team effectiveness.
• Building productive relationships with leaders and stakeholders across the organisation to address systemic challenges and manage service delivery expectations.
• Coordinating payroll-related audits, compliance reviews and assurance activities, and helping to implement remediation actions.
• Helping to develop and maintain payroll policies, procedures, standards and documentation so they remain current, effective and aligned with legislative and organisational requirements.

About Us

Our HR Shared Services team plays a vital part in this, delivering accurate, reliable and people-focused pay, compensation and benefits services that support staff across the University. As part of this team, you will help create a workplace where our people feel valued and well cared for.

About You

You are an experienced payroll professional who combines operational know-how with a genuine interest in developing people. You bring a high level of accuracy, sound judgement, and a service-focused approach, and you enjoy improving the way things work while keeping compliance and governance front of mind.

Selection Criteria

• A relevant tertiary qualification in business, human resources, accounting, finance or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing payroll operations in a complex, high-volume environment, including payroll controls, governance requirements and risk mitigation.
• Sound working knowledge of payroll legislation, awards, enterprise agreements and compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated experience guiding, coaching and developing teams to achieve service and performance objectives.
• Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to resolve complex payroll matters and use data to improve performance.
• Experience using complex HR/Payroll enterprise systems (experience with Dayforce APAY, Kronos, Workday, ServiceNow or Finance1 is highly regarded).
• Effective stakeholder management and communication skills, with a high level of attention to detail and a commitment to customer service (payroll-related certification, accreditation or professional membership is desirable).

Applications Close: Sunday 20th of September 2026 at 11:59 (AEST)

We reserve the right to progress or decline an application prior to the application closing date.

For enquiries, or a confidential conversation about the role please contact Kate Williams, TA Consultant – [e-mail] .

Pre-Employment Checks

Macquarie University cultivates a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity. Prior to completion of an offer of employment, preferred candidates willbe requiredtoparticipatein a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for.

Your employment is conditional upon the completion and maintenance of all role-required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University.

If you're already part of the Macquarie Group (MQ University, U@MQ, MQ Health, MGSM), you'll need to apply through your employee Workday account. To apply for this job: Login to Workday and go to the Careers App > Find Jobs.

Applications Close:

20/09/2026 11:59 PM

A Place Where You Belong
At Macquarie, we believe diversity makes us stronger, inclusion drives our success, and belonging inspires us to do our best work. We are proud to foster a community where different backgrounds, identities, and experiences are valued, and where our people are empowered to thrive through supportive leadership, shared responsibility, and a deep commitment to genuine care and respect for our community. Find out more about our vision for a truly inclusive workplace in our Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Framework .

Flexible Work
At Macquarie, we believe by providing flexibility in when, where and how work is done, we can support our staff to manage personal commitments, while optimising their work performance and contributions to the University. See how we lead in flexible work to enable an outcome focused and inclusive workplace. To learn more about our culture and hiring process, visit our Jobs at Macquarie page.