Senior Manager – Payroll, Remuneration & Benefits

Australian Red Cross; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

Health & wellbeing programs

Flexible working

Job summary

Australian Red Cross’s People Services team seeks an experienced leader to shape the payroll, remuneration and benefits strategy and drive the transition of our payroll system to Dayforce. This is a full-time, ongoing role with flexible location and hybrid working.

Reporting to the Head of Human Resources, you will ensure compliant, competitive remuneration, lead payroll delivery and work with Finance, Legal and executives to strengthen our employee value proposition while managing external

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading payroll, remuneration and benefits.
• Deep knowledge of Australian payroll legislation and awards.
• Experience with payroll system implementations and governance.

Responsibilities

• Lead payroll, remuneration and benefits strategy and delivery.
• Oversee transition of payroll to Dayforce with governance and compliance.
• Provide strategic advice to executives and external stakeholders.

Skills

Payroll leadership

Remuneration strategy

Compliance

Stakeholder management

People systems

Dayforce implementation

Tools

Dayforce

Payroll systems

Job description

• Lead the future of payroll, remuneration and benefits at Australian Red Cross while supporting the world's largest humanitarian movement
• Full time, ongoing role
• Flexible location + hybrid working

Join Australian Red Cross’s People Services team in a role with significant impact. With a renewed organisational strategy and major technology uplift underway, we're seeking an experienced leader to shape our payroll, remuneration and benefits strategy and lead the successful transition of our payroll system to Dayforce. This is an opportunity to create lasting impact for our people and strengthen the systems that enable our humanitarian work.

About Red Cross

Australian Red Cross is part of the world’s largest humanitarian movement. We support and empower people and communities in times of vulnerability. We act for humanity.

About the role

Reporting to the Head of Human Resources, this critical leadership role is responsible for shaping and delivering Australian Red Cross's payroll, remuneration and benefits strategy, ensuring our people are rewarded fairly, compliantly and competitively. Leading the payroll function, the role oversees the accurate and timely delivery of payroll services while driving continuous improvement, governance and compliance.

The Senior Manager develops and implements remuneration and benefits programs that support workforce engagement, strengthen our employee value proposition and align with organisational objectives. The role partners closely with People & Culture, Finance, Legal and Executive stakeholders to provide strategic advice on remuneration, benefits, award interpretation and legislative obligations, while managing key external relationships including payroll vendors, auditors and regulatory bodies.

With a strong focus on compliance, risk management and transformation, this role will lead the transition to Dayforce, ensure adherence to workplace legislation and payroll governance standards, and contribute to organisational capability through strategic leadership, continuous improvement and service excellence.

About you

You are an experienced payroll, remuneration and benefits leader with strong expertise in Australian payroll compliance, remuneration frameworks, and people systems. You combine strategic thinking with operational excellence, delivering compliant, efficient payroll services while driving continuous improvement and organisational outcomes.

With deep knowledge of the Fair Work Act, Modern Awards and National Employment Standards, you confidently provide trusted advice, manage risk, and navigate complex payroll and remuneration matters. You are highly analytical, detail-oriented, and skilled at driving continuous business improvement, and providing innovative solutions to complex challenges.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Significant experience in a senior payroll, remuneration and benefits leadership role
• Proven expertise in Australian payroll legislation, Modern Awards, Fair Work Act and National Employment Standards
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing remuneration, benefits and payroll compliance frameworks
• Strong leadership capability, with experience coaching, mentoring and developing teams
• Experience leading payroll system implementations, upgrades and process improvement initiatives
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and build trusted relationships at all levels of an organisation
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills, with a focus on risk management and continuous improvement

Compliance

To join us, you’ll need to complete key compliance checks including a National Police Check - we cover the cost and renewals as needed and confirm ongoing and unrestricted Australian Work Rights.

Benefits that act for you, while you act for humanity

Financial wellbeing: In addition to your salary, you can take advantage of salary packaging that could provide you with a great way to reduce the amount of tax you pay - and get more from your salary. You can salary package up to $15,900 for living expenses (such as rent, groceries, utility bills); up to $2,650 for holiday accommodation and meals when dining out; Novated car leases; superannuation and purchase additional annual leave.

Health & Wellbeing: You can tap into specialist advice for nutrition, sleep, resilience and mindfulness, as well as access to guided meditation and other wellbeing programs.

Work/Life Flexibility: You can access flexible working arrangements, paid ‘Me’ day just for you and a wide range of other paid leave options

Career development: Access to ongoing learning, training, and development courses

Further information

This role is covered by the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award - Level 6. Competitive salary + superannuation + salary packaging options.

To find out more about this opportunity or to obtain a copy of the Position Description, please email Theresa Haldane on [e-mail].

Applications must be submitted online prior to 11.55pm AEST on Wednesday, 16 September 2026 to be considered for this role.

While we appreciate all interest in our organisation, we won’t engage with or accept candidates from agencies or consulting firms on this occasion.