Senior Payroll Manager

Michael Page; Shire of Central Goldfields; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Market-leading remuneration

Hybrid work (3 days WFH/2 days in the

Free onsite parking

Job summary

Michael Page is seeking a Senior Payroll Leader for a large, transformation-focused organisation in Australia. The role oversees strategic payroll operations, leads a high-performing team and partners with Finance, HR and Technology to drive efficiency, compliance and continuous improvement.

The successful candidate will bring extensive payroll leadership experience, deep knowledge of Australian payroll legislation and a proven track record in system implementations and process optimisation.

Qualifications

• Significant payroll leadership experience in a large and complex environment.
• Strong knowledge of Australian payroll legislation and compliance requirements.
• Proven success delivering payroll transformation or continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience leading payroll system implementations, upgrades or optimisation projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across the payroll function and align operations with 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 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

Communication skills

Strategic mindset

Analytical thinking

Tools

Payroll systems

Automation tools

Job description

• Market leading remuneration
• 3 days WFH / 2 days in the office

About Our Client

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.

Job 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

The Successful Applicant

• 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

What's On 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 enhancement
• Flexible 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

Quote job ref: JN-102026-7128365