Senior Payroll Officer

Are Media Pty Limited; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Birthday leave

Volunteer leave

Parental leave

Learning & development

Wellbeing program

Discounts

BELONG program

Job summary

Are Media is seeking a Senior Payroll Services Officer to join our Finance team across Australia and New Zealand. You’ll own end-to-end payroll processing, ensuring accuracy and timeliness while aligning with legislative requirements.

Working closely with the Payroll Services Manager, you’ll guide the Payroll Officer, support process improvements and maintain payroll records. You’ll contribute to compliant, efficient payroll delivery in a dynamic, inclusive workplace.

Qualifications

• Five years’ experience in a medium-to-high volume payroll environment.
• Sound knowledge of Australian and New Zealand payroll legislation, taxation and superannuation.
• Strong reconciliation, reporting and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities, proactive and discreet.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end payroll processing across Australia and New Zealand, ensuring accuracy, compliance and timely delivery.
• Maintain accurate employee payroll records including new starters, terminations, salary changes, timesheets, leave entitlements, commissions and bonuses.
• Deliver payroll reporting and reconciliations including general ledger reconciliations and month-end/year-end reporting.
• Provide technical guidance and act as escalation point for complex payroll matters and process improvements.

Skills

End-to-end payroll

AU/NZ payroll legislation

Data reconciliation

Communication & stakeholder mgmt

Tools

Chris21/iChris

Job description

Who are we?

Our portfolio includes some of Australia’s most iconic and trusted brands, including The Australian Women’s Weekly, ELLE, marie claire, New Idea, Australian House & Garden, Bounty Parents, Better Homes & Gardens and more!

We are Australia’s leading omnichannel content company for women! Every day we inform, inspire and connect with 9 in 10 Australian women through magazine media, digital, video, social, e-commerce, vodcasts, events and experiences.

What we can offer you

• We welcome the opportunity to explore flexible work options where appropriate, depending on the needs of the business.

• Additional paid leave, including a day off to celebrate your birthday, four days of volunteer leave each year, and inclusive leave provisions supporting reproductive, hormonal and wellbeing needs, as well as First Nations cultural and ceremonial commitments.

• Paid parental leave of up to 12 weeks, plus a parenting gift pack, meal vouchers and return-to-work support.

• Opportunities to grow and develop, with access to tailored learning pathways, mentoring, Lunch & Learns, our Digital Learning Academy and professional development support.

• A comprehensive wellbeing program including EAP, Mental Health First Aiders, and a personalised online wellbeing portal with assessments, resources and lifestyle plans.

• Exclusive benefits and discounts, including Fitness Passport memberships, discounted health insurance, beauty services, technology and a range of lifestyle offers through our benefits partner Flare.

• A genuinely inclusive culture, supported through our BELONG @ Are program, where everyone is welcomed, valued and empowered to be their authentic selves.

The Role

The Finance team at Are Media keeps the business running with rigour and care, and we're looking for an experienced Senior Payroll Services Officer who can bring that same standard to our payroll operations across Australia and New Zealand.

Working closely with the Payroll Services Manager, you'll play a key role in a small, high-performing payroll team, ensuring our people are paid accurately, on time and in line with relevant legislation.

As a trusted technical expert, you'll take ownership of end-to-end payroll processing, provide day-to-day guidance to the Payroll Officer and help strengthen payroll processes, compliance and continuous improvement across the business.

What you'll be doing

• Manage end-to-end payroll processing across Australia and New Zealand, ensuring accuracy, compliance and timely delivery in line with payroll schedules.
• Maintain accurate employee payroll records, including new starters, terminations, salary changes, timesheets, leave entitlements, commissions and bonus payments.
• Deliver payroll reporting and reconciliations, including general ledger reconciliations and month-end and year-end reporting for Finance and People & Culture.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance, acting as an escalation point for complex payroll matters, supporting process improvements and stepping in for the Payroll Services Manager when required.

About you

We’re looking for someone who brings:

• A minimum of five years' experience in a medium-to-high volume payroll environment, with strong end-to-end payroll processing expertise.
• Sound knowledge of Australian and New Zealand payroll legislation, taxation and superannuation requirements, including experience interpreting Modern Awards and Enterprise Agreements.
• Strong reconciliation, reporting and problem-solving skills, with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to deliver accurately under tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with a proactive, collaborative approach and the confidence to resolve complex queries with professionalism and discretion.

Experience with Chris21/iChris will be highly regarded.

Are Media is a proud member of Media Diversity Australia, a not-for-profit organisation working towards a media landscape that looks and sounds like Australia. We are committed to fostering diverse, respectful,collaborative & inclusive workplace. We know & value the success this brings for everyone, and we welcome & encourage applications from diverse backgrounds.When you apply, please let us know of any reasonable adjustments you may need during the interview process.