Executive : Group Payroll & Employee Operations

Massmart; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Massmart is seeking an Executive for Group Payroll & Employee Operations in Johannesburg. The role involves leading strategic initiatives to transform payroll and associate services, ensuring alignment with business objectives, and enhancing the overall employee experience. The successful candidate will have extensive experience in associate services management, with strong leadership, analytical, and communication skills, along with a deep understanding of payroll regulations and systems integration.

Qualifications

• 10-12 years of experience in associate services management at a senior strategic level.
• 5-6 years in a senior management role in Payroll and/or Associate Services.
• Deep knowledge of payroll regulations and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the transformational agenda for payroll and associate operations.
• Lead centralized payroll operations ensuring compliance and efficiency.
• Drive automation and process improvements in payroll and associate services.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Adaptability

Integrity

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, or related fields

Job description

Executive : Group Payroll & Employee Operations
Massmart City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
"We encourage people with disabilities to apply."

Summary : To lead the management and strategic transformation of payroll and associate shared services into a fit-for-purpose, data-driven, and digitally enabled function that delivers scalable operations and a seamless end-to-end associate experience across the associate lifecycle.

Your responsibilities :

1. Strategic Leadership and Vision
   • Develop the transformational agenda and strategy for the associate operations functions including payroll and associate services, ensuring alignment with the company's strategic objectives, with an aim to seamlessly service associates across the full associate lifecycle.
   • Influence organizational policies and practices in collaboration with senior leadership to integrate associate operations strategies effectively.
   • Map out the integration of advanced technologies to enhance efficiency and accuracy across African operations and integration into the global operations.
   • Structure a scalable payroll and associate services model that supports organizational growth and adapts to changes in workforce dynamics and regulations.
   • Define benchmarks for performance and efficiency in associate services, systems, and processes, setting clear targets for continuous improvement.
   • Anticipate future workforce and regulatory trends for future-proof payroll capabilities across all business units and jurisdictions.
   • Champion payroll and associate services as the core pillar of the employee experience—ensuring on-time, and accurate payments.
2. Payroll Services
   • Lead centralized payroll operations across all entities and countries, ensuring consistent execution while accommodating local statutory nuances.
   • Ensure a sustainable and stabilized payroll service for the business through active engagement with internal and external stakeholders based on in-depth knowledge of payroll systems and processes.
   • Proactively plan payroll system enhancements and changes to respond to business and legislative requirements to ensure compliance and increased efficiency.
   • Collaborate with internal stakeholders on cyclical and monthly payroll processes to effectively respond to capacity and capability requirements.
   • Own end-to-end payroll operations ensuring alignment with organizational growth, M&A activity, and workforce complexity.
   • Represent payroll at Executive forums, providing strategic input on labour cost forecasting, compliance risk, and enterprise readiness for regulatory shifts.
3. Associate Services
   • Ensure delivery of end-to-end associate services operations across the associate lifecycle to drive efficient service delivery.
   • Develop a multi-year shared services roadmap that supports workforce growth, process harmonization, and service excellence.
   • Lead continuous improvement and optimization of the associate operations administration function.
   • Measure and improve the onboarding/offboarding processes to enhance efficiency and satisfaction.
   • Engage with stakeholders to transform associate services in line with best practices.
   • Lead cross-functional collaboration with HR, Payroll, Finance, and IT for seamless service experiences.
4. Governance and Compliance
   • Establish and adhere to a comprehensive compliance framework across jurisdictions.
   • Lead compliant execution and process reviews, updating policies to reflect legislation changes.
   • Implement audit strategies for payroll and associate services, ensuring compliance with controls.
   • Monitor risk and establish controls to prevent fraud and ensure data integrity.
   • Represent the company in negotiations with regulatory bodies.
5. Financial Management and Reporting
   • Oversee payroll and associate services expenditure reporting and analysis.
   • Ensure financial systems integration for seamless reporting.
   • Use analytics to inform decisions, track KPIs, and optimize resource allocation.
   • Implement cost-saving strategies and technology investments.
   • Maintain high standards of financial integrity in reporting.
6. Stakeholder Management and Communication
   • Build communication channels for effective stakeholder engagement.
   • Advise senior leadership on strategic implications of associate services.
   • Negotiate with vendors and service providers.
   • Align systems with organizational processes and lead project teams for system improvements.
7. Innovation and Optimization
   • Champion adoption of new technologies and processes.
   • Forecast trends and adjust strategies accordingly.
   • Drive automation and process improvements.
   • Ensure system integration and real-time data flow.
   • Promote a culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement.
8. Leadership and Team Development
   • Cultivate a culture of excellence and accountability.
   • Develop training programs and mentor future leaders.
   • Encourage innovation and collaboration.
   • Evaluate team performance regularly.

Minimum Academic, Professional Qualifications and Experience :

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, or related fields.
• 10-12 years' experience in associate services management at a senior strategic level.
• At least 5-6 years in a senior management role in Payroll and/or Associate Services.
• Strong background in finance related to payroll, employee benefits, and shares.
• 3-5 years experience leading large-scale digital transformation and/or process reengineering initiatives.
• Proficient in process methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, etc.).
• Deep knowledge of payroll regulations, compliance, and service delivery models.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Profound knowledge of payroll and HR software, compliance regulations, and financial reporting.

Core Competencies :

• Extensive HR Services, HR Systems, Tax, and statutory knowledge.
• Adaptable & work under pressure.
• Analytical skills.
• Facilitation and presentation skills.
• Leadership and empowerment skills.
• Results-oriented execution.
• Integrity, ethics, and compliance.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Time management.
• Effective communication.
• Professional conduct.
• Ability to work independently.
• Engagement with VP level and above.

Note: Employment equity policy requirements may be applicable.