Payroll Team Lead

Macquarie University Hospital; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 126,000 - 141,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible, hybrid work arrangements

17% Superannuation

Subsidised onsite parking

Extensive training and professional de

Onsite childcare facilities

Discounted health insurance

Access to Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Macquarie University Hospital seeks an experienced Lead Payroll Services professional to oversee day-to-day payroll operations, including compensation and benefits, and to guide a capable team toward high-quality, compliant service delivery.

You will balance operational delivery with people development, using data and insights to improve processes and drive governance standards across the payroll function. Flexible hybrid work arrangements are available.

Qualifications

• A relevant tertiary qualification in business, human resources, accounting, finance or a related discipline.
• Experience managing payroll operations in a complex, high-volume environment with governance.
• Knowledge of payroll legislation, awards, enterprise agreements and compliance requirements.
• Experience guiding, coaching and developing teams to achieve service and performance objectives.
• Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills with data-driven decision making.
• Experience using complex HR/Payroll enterprise systems (Dayforce APAY, Kronos, Workday, ServiceNow or Finance1).

Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day delivery of payroll operations and pay-related enquiry services.
• Guide, coach and develop team members to build a high-performing, customer-focused culture.
• Allocate work, manage workflow priorities and monitor performance to meet standards.
• Act as primary escalation point for complex payroll enquiries and issues.
• Ensure compliance with payroll controls, governance and legislative requirements.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives in processes and systems.
• Analyze payroll data to identify trends and improve performance.
• Build relationships with leaders across the organisation to manage service delivery.

Skills

Payroll operations

Team coaching

Payroll governance

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Payroll systems

Education

Tertiary qualification in business/HR/finance

Tools

Dayforce APAY

Kronos

Workday

ServiceNow

Finance1

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.

• 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.

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 their 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. At Macquarie University, our human equation for success is You to the Power of Us. It’s an invitation for you to bring your passion and purpose to a campus powered by human collaboration, and where the potential of every person multiplies our ability to achieve remarkable things. Hear from our Vice Chancellor Bruce Dowton.

Our values — Collective Ambition, Purposeful Collaboration, Bold Innovation, and Genuine Care — are at the heart of everything we do and by living our values, we unlock the true potential of You to the Power of Us. Our values guide how we work, lead and support one another. We know Macquarie is at its best when we live our values every day. Fostering Belonging Our Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Framework 2024-2028 and our Flexible Work approach support Macquarie’s vision by building a community where everyone truly feels safe and like they belong. We acknowledge the richness of each individual’s identity and the potential that brings. This diversity amplifies You to the Power of Us and creates an inclusive environment that leads to better outcomes for all. Through a nurturing and fair environment, we are a workplace that enables you to balance both your personal needs and professional goals.

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

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

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 will be required to participate in 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 role in 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.

What we offer?

• Flexible, hybrid work arrangements
• 17% Superannuation
• Subsidised onsite parking options
• Extensive training and professional development programs
• Onsite childcare facilities to support working parents
• Onsite vacation care during school holidays
• Discounted health insurance
• Subsidised membership at our Sport & Aquatic Centre
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program for free and confidential support
• Convenient onsite GP, imaging, and physiotherapy clinics

Discover our beautiful campus Just 15km from Sydney’s CBD and with access to Australia’s only dedicated university metro station, our Wallumattagal Campus in Macquarie Park offers a vibrant and inspiring place to work—right in one of the world’s greatest cities. Take a look at our campus Join a workplace that's inclusive, outcome-focused and driven by shared purpose.

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