Payroll Transformation Manager

Voyages Tourism Australia; Sydney; On-site; AUD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous travel discounts

Study Assistance Policy

Employee Referral Policy

Parental Leave program

Purchased Leave policy

Private Health discounts

Employee Assistance Program

Discounts on merchandise

Flexible working environment

Job summary

Journey Beyond is seeking a Payroll Transformation Manager to lead payroll integration initiatives across the group during a period of growth and transformation. The role partners with Payroll, HR, Finance and Technology to align systems and data across acquired businesses, ensuring compliant, efficient payroll operations.

Based in Sydney or Adelaide, this fixed-term, full-time position focuses on transitioning services from transitional arrangements to an in-house model, with strong emphasis on

Qualifications

• Experience leading payroll integration programs across large, integrated organisations.
• Proven ability to deliver payroll-related projects and transitions.
• In-depth knowledge of Australian payroll legislation, Awards, Enterprise Agreements, superannuation, payroll tax and governance.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end payroll integration activities, including planning, governance, stakeholder engagement, risk management and implementation.
• Develop and deliver the roadmap to transition payroll services from TSAs into a sustainable in-house operating model.
• Design and implement payroll processes, controls and governance frameworks that support compliance, consistency and operational excellence.
• Partner with Payroll, HR, Finance and Technology teams to align payroll systems, data, processes and reporting across acquired businesses.
• Oversee payroll data migration, testing, validation and operational readiness activities to ensure successful go-live outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, Awards, Enterprise Agreements, superannuation obligations and internal governance requirements.
• Identify and mitigate payroll risks while maintaining business continuity during transitions.
• Provide expert payroll integration advice and guidance to stakeholders, project teams and business leaders.

Skills

Payroll integration

Change management

Stakeholder management

Governance

Risk management

Tools

PayGlobal

Micropay

Dayforce

Workday

Job description

Be a part of sharing special places and shaping lasting memories with Australia’s leading experiential tourism business.

About Journey Beyond

Australia’s leading experiential tourism group, Journey Beyond, is privileged to operate 20 brands spanning the country and New Zealand, connecting guests to the land, and to each other.

Headquartered in Adelaide, Journey Beyond formed in 2016 and now comprises tourism brands including: iconic trains The Ghan, Indian Pacific, Great Southern, The Overland; premium small-group outback operator Outback Spirit; eco-luxury lodge Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef; aquatic adventures Cruise Whitsundays, Rottnest Express, Sailaway Port Douglas, Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures, Darwin Harbour Cruises and Journey Beyond Cruise Sydney; our tallest members, Melbourne Skydeck and Eureka 89; the historic Vintage Rail Journeys; The Telegraph Station in Alice Springs; Monarto Safari Resort; Exmouth Dive & Whalesharks Ningaloo, New Zealand coach tour specialist Grand Pacific Tours, and Voyages Tourism Australia.

About The Role

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Transformation Manager to lead payroll integration initiatives across the Journey Beyond Group during an exciting period of growth and transformation.

As Journey Beyond continues to expand through acquisition and business growth, this role will play a critical part in bringing together payroll operations, systems, processes and governance frameworks across our diverse portfolio of businesses. You will help shape the future of payroll within the organisation, ensuring seamless transitions, strong compliance outcomes and an exceptional employee experience.

This role is ideal for a payroll professional who has successfully led payroll integration programs, delivered payroll-related projects, managed complex change initiatives and worked across payroll system implementations and transitions. Partnering closely with Payroll, HR, Finance and Technology teams, you will drive the successful integration and optimisation of payroll operations across the Group.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end payroll integration activities, including planning, governance, stakeholder engagement, risk management and implementation.
• Develop and deliver the roadmap to transition payroll services from transitional service arrangements (TSAs) into a sustainable in-house operating model.
• Design and implement payroll processes, controls and governance frameworks that support compliance, consistency and operational excellence.
• Partner with Payroll, HR, Finance and Technology teams to align payroll systems, data, processes and reporting across acquired businesses.
• Oversee payroll data migration, testing, validation and operational readiness activities to ensure successful go-live outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, Awards, Enterprise Agreements, superannuation obligations and internal governance requirements.
• Identify and mitigate payroll risks while maintaining business continuity throughout periods of transition and change.
• Provide expert payroll integration advice and guidance to stakeholders, project teams and business leaders.

fixed-term, full-time opportunity for 9 months within our Integration team and can be based in either our Sydney or Adelaide office.

About You

You're a payroll expert who thrives on making complex projects simple. With a strong track record leading payroll implementations, integrations, and transitions in large, integrated organisations, you know how to deliver payroll change with confidence and care.

You bring hands-on experience establishing new payroll operations, moving organisations away from transitional service arrangements, and ensuring payroll remains accurate, compliant, and running smoothly throughout periods of change. Your knowledge of Australian payroll legislation, Awards, Enterprise Agreements, superannuation, payroll tax, and governance frameworks allows you to balance compliance requirements with practical business outcomes.

You're equally comfortable rolling up your sleeves on payroll data migration, system integration, and process redesign as you are managing stakeholders and guiding teams through complex transformation programs. With experience across platforms such as PayGlobal, Micropay, Dayforce, Workday, or similar systems, you're skilled at identifying and mitigating payroll risks while delivering successful project outcomes.

Most importantly, you're a collaborative, solutions-focused professional who enjoys partnering with people across the business to create efficient, compliant, and future-ready payroll operations.

What We Offer

• Generous discounts on Journey Beyond travel and experiences
• Study Assistance Policy
• Employee Referral Policy
• Parental Leave program
• Purchased Leave policy
• Private Health discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Discounts on Journey Beyond merchandise
• Flexible working environment

Successful candidates are required to apply for a National Police Clearance.