Senior Payroll Specialist - EVT Head Office

EVT - Entertainment | Ventures | Travel; Sydney; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

50% dining & stays

Movie tickets discounts

Seasonal perks at Thredbo

Rapid career growth

Paid parental leave

Job summary

EVT is seeking a Senior Payroll Specialist to manage the end-to-end payroll for Australia and New Zealand weekly employees and corporate entities, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and full compliance with local legislation.

You will be the payroll subject matter expert in Dayforce, mentor team members, and collaborate with HRIS, Recruitment and Finance to maintain data accuracy and integrity while supporting internal and external audits.

Qualifications

• 4–6 years of experience in end-to-end Australian payroll.
• Strong knowledge of Australian payroll legislation, including Fair Work, PAYG, STP and superannuation.
• Advanced experience in payroll systems (Dayforce preferred).
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, reconciliations).
• Experience with employee lifecycle management in HRIS or recruitment systems.
• Ability to interpret awards, EAs, and policy changes.
• Proven ability to deliver payroll accurately and independently under tight deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical and decision-making skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Exposure to payroll integration or process transformation projects is highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end payroll for Australia, New Zealand and corporate entities.
• Perform first and second level payroll review and sign-off.
• Interpret NZ holidays act, KiwiSaver, PAYE and ACC to pay outcomes.
• Manage payroll lifecycle actions such as cross-boarding, transfers and rehires.
• Partner with Finance to allocate payroll costs to the general ledger.
• Respond to payroll queries from employees, managers, auditors and regulators.
• Mentor Payroll Officers and ensure consistency across daily tasks.
• Lead process improvements and drive automation in payroll processes.
• Ensure timely processing of third-party deductions (KiwiSaver, child support, etc.).
• Maintain cyber security and data protection protocols.
• Support internal and external audits with accurate records.
• Maintain, improve and champion payroll procedures for the future.

Skills

Australian payroll knowledge

Dayforce experience

Excel proficiency

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Audit readiness

Data privacy

Tools

Dayforce

HRIS systems

Job description

About EVT:

At EVT we believe in changing the game. Why? Because no one wants ordinary. If you're seeking to be part of the kind of wow-factor moments you can help shape, then you've come to the right place.

As market-leading experience creators, we bring to life some of the best-known brands and properties in entertainment, ventures, and travel. Our portfolio includes over 140 entertainment experiences like Event Cinemas and Moonlight Cinemas, 150 award-winning restaurants and bars, and 80+ hotels, including QT, Rydges, Atura, LyLo, and Thredbo. Our ventures include a ~$2.3B property portfolio and hotel management, just to name a few.

Position Overview

The Senior Payroll Specialist is responsible for managing the end-to-end payroll process for Australia, New Zealand weekly employees and all corporate entities across the EVT Group. This role ensures payroll is delivered accurately, on time, and in full compliance with Australia, New Zealand legislation and corporate requirements.

The position is a subject matter expert in payroll legislation and systems (Dayforce), providing technical expertise, reviewing payroll outputs, mentoring team members, and working closely with HRIS, Recruitment, and Finance to maintain data accuracy and integrity. The role is also key in supporting internal and external audits, ensuring full compliance and audit readiness.

Vision

Our Vision is being leaders in creating experiences and properties that escape the ordinary.

Purpose

Our Purpose is to make the day better for ourselves, each other, our group, our customers and communities. We do this by living our values of empowerment, possibilities and community. We achieve our Vision and Purpose by delivering on our goals and values.

Goals

• Growing revenue above market
• Maximise assets
• Business transformation

Values

• Empowerment: We make it happen
• Possibilities: We evolve and innovate
• Community: We make the connection

Key Accountabilities

• Manage the end-to-end Australia, New Zealand and corporate payroll processes, including inputs, validations, approvals, and reconciliations.
• Perform first and second level payroll review and sign-off, ensuring compliance with legislative requirements and company policies.
• Interpret and apply New Zealand payroll legislation (e.g., Holidays Act, KiwiSaver, PAYE, ACC) to pay outcomes, including complex entitlements and terminations.
• Manage payroll lifecycle actions such as cross-boarding, internal transfers, and rehires via the recruitment portal.
• Partner with Finance to ensure payroll costs are correctly allocated to the general ledger and reconciled to supporting schedules.
• Respond to and resolve complex payroll queries, providing accurate and timely information to employees, managers, auditors, and regulators.
• Mentor Payroll Officers, supporting their technical development and ensuring consistency across daily processing tasks.
• Lead and document process improvements, driving automation and efficiency in payroll processes.
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of third-party deductions (e.g., KiwiSaver, child support, union fees, salary sacrifice).
• Maintain strict compliance with cyber security and data protection protocols, safeguarding sensitive employee data.
• Support internal and external audit processes by maintaining accurate records and ensuring full transparency of payroll activities.
• Maintain, improve, and champion payroll procedures, helping shape the function for the future

Skills & Experience

• 4-6 years of experience in end-to-end Australian payroll
• Strong knowledge of Australian payroll legislation, including Fair Work, PAYG, STP, and superannuation compliance
• Advanced experience in payroll systems (Dayforce preferred)
• Competency in Microsoft Excel (e.g., pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, reconciliations)
• Experience with employee lifecycle management in HRIS or recruitment systems
• Confidence in interpreting awards, EAs, and policy changes
• Proven ability to deliver payroll accurately and independently under tight deadlines
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills
• Exposure to payroll integration or process transformation projects is highly regarded

Behavioural Capabilities

Ownership & Accountability

• Takes full responsibility for the quality and timeliness of payroll outcomes
• Confidently owns the process and proactively addresses risks or issues

Leadership Without Title

• Supports and uplifts others in the team through guidance and strong role modelling
• Drives a culture of accuracy, integrity, and improvement

Agility & Resilience

• Adjusts quickly to new systems, changing priorities, or urgent payroll demands
• Maintains focus and quality during high-pressure periods

Detail-Focused & Compliance-Driven

• Meticulously checks work and ensures compliance with all legal and policy requirements
• Understands the importance of data integrity and audit readiness

Collaborative & Credible

• Builds trust with HR, Finance, and operational stakeholders through clear, professional communication
• Balances technical accuracy with a people-first approach

Improvement-Oriented

• Always looking for better ways to do things - and acts on them
• Documents new processes and shares improvements with the wider team

Cyber-Safe & Data Responsible

• Handles all data securely, reports threats, and uses systems in accordance with IT security policy
• Understands their role in protecting employee privacy

Perks from Day One

As part of EVT, you unlock Elevate Perks from your first day. Parity for all levels - no ivory towers.

• 50% off dining and stays across EVT hotels - QT, Rydges, Atura, LyLo and more.
• $2 movie tickets + discounts on Gold Class, Moonlight Cinema and Candy Bar.
• Seasonal perks at Thredbo.
• Rapid career growth across our hotel & entertainment network.
• Paid parental leave; community & volunteering opportunities.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds