Senior Manager - Payroll, Remuneration & Benefits

Australian Red Cross; Sydney; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging options

Hybrid work model

Flexible location

Job summary

Australian Red Cross is seeking an experienced Senior Manager to shape payroll, remuneration and benefits strategy, and lead the transition of our payroll system to Dayforce. This pivotal role reports to the Head of People Services and drives governance, compliance and continuous improvement.

You will partner with Finance, Legal and HR leaders to deliver fair, competitive reward programs, manage external payroll vendors, and ensure regulatory alignment across the organisation.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading payroll, remuneration and benefits functions.
• Deep knowledge of Australian payroll legislation and modern awards.
• Ability to design and implement remuneration and benefits programs.
• Strong leadership, coaching and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead payroll function delivery, governance and compliance.
• Drive transition of payroll system to Dayforce and process improvements.
• Partner with Finance, Legal and HR leaders to align with organisational objectives.

Skills

Senior payroll leadership

Australian payroll legislation

Remuneration frameworks

Stakeholder management

Dayforce implementation

Tools

Dayforce

Job description

Base salary + super + salary packaging options

• 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.