Senior Payroll Manager

Michael Page; Adelaide; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid working (3 days WFH /

Free onsite parking

Job summary

Michael Page in Adelaide, Australia, is seeking a senior payroll leader to drive transformation. You will provide strategic leadership across payroll, align operations with organisational goals, and partner with Finance, HR and Technology to deliver outcomes.

You will mentor a high-performing team, pursue automation, oversee system upgrades, ensure compliance with Australian payroll legislation, and develop robust reporting for leadership.

Qualifications

• Extensive payroll leadership in large, complex environments.
• Strong knowledge of Australian payroll legislation and compliance.
• Proven track record delivering payroll transformation or continuous improvement.
• Experience leading payroll system implementations or upgrades.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strategic mindset with a focus on innovation and process excellence.
• Proven ability to develop and coach teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across the payroll function.
• Lead, mentor and develop a high-performing payroll team.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, accuracy and service delivery.
• Identify opportunities for automation, process optimisation and system enhancement.
• Lead payroll-related transformation projects, upgrades and implementation initiatives.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with relevant payroll legislation, awards, enterprise agreements and governance requirements.
• Strengthen payroll controls, risk management frameworks and audit readiness.
• Partner with senior stakeholders across Finance, HR and Technology to deliver business-wide outcomes.
• Develop meaningful reporting and insights to support leadership decision-making.
• Oversee relationships with external vendors and payroll technology providers.
• Champion a culture of accountability, customer service excellence and continuous improvement.
• Act as the organisation's payroll subject matter expert, providing strategic advice and guidance.

Skills

Payroll leadership

Stakeholder management

Change management

Team leadership

Data analytics

Australian payroll compliance

Tools

Payroll systems

Job description

Lead a critical function. Influence Strategy. Drive Transformation.

Our client is a highly regarded organisation with a reputation for investing in its people, technology and operational excellence. They are currently undertaking an exciting period of growth and transformation, with significant investment being directed towards modernising systems, streamlining processes and delivering best-practice outcomes across the business.

The organisation offers a genuinely flexible work environment, including three days working from home and two days in the office, along with free onsite parking and a collaborative leadership culture. Employees are empowered to contribute ideas, challenge the status quo and drive continuous improvement, creating an environment where innovation and professional growth are actively encouraged.

Description

• Provide strategic leadership across the payroll function, aligning payroll operations with broader organisational objectives
• Lead, mentor and develop a high-performing payroll team
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, accuracy and service delivery
• Identify opportunities for automation, process optimisation and system enhancement
• Lead payroll-related transformation projects, upgrades and implementation initiatives
• Ensure ongoing compliance with relevant payroll legislation, awards, enterprise agreements and governance requirements
• Strengthen payroll controls, risk management frameworks and audit readiness
• Partner with senior stakeholders across Finance, HR and Technology to deliver business-wide outcomes
• Develop meaningful reporting and insights to support leadership decision-making
• Oversee relationships with external vendors and payroll technology providers
• Champion a culture of accountability, customer service excellence and continuous improvement
• Act as the organisation's payroll subject matter expert, providing strategic advice and guidance

Profile

• Significant payroll leadership experience within a large and complex environment
• Strong knowledge of Australian payroll legislation and compliance requirements
• Demonstrated success delivering payroll transformation or continuous improvement initiatives
• Experience leading payroll system implementations, upgrades or optimisation projects
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
• A strategic mindset with a passion for innovation and process excellence
• Proven experience leading and developing teams
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities

Job Offer

• Strategic leadership position with significant organisational influence
• Opportunity to shape the future direction of the payroll function
• High-profile role focused on transformation and continuous improvement
• Significant investment in systems, technology and process enhancementFlexible hybrid working arrangement (3 days WFH / 2 days office)
• Free onsite parking
• Supportive executive leadership team
• Outstanding organisational culture
• Long-term career growth and development opportunities