Operations Associate

WatersEdge Solutions; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 450,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Share incentive scheme

4 weeks work-from-anywhere policy

Unlimited coffee, drinks, and healthy snacks

Job summary

WatersEdge Solutions is seeking an Operations Associate to support global payroll operations across multiple territories. This hybrid role is ideal for someone early in their operations career who thrives in a fast-paced, global environment.

Responsibilities include coordinating data flows, resolving operational issues, and supporting process improvements. Ideal candidates will have relevant tertiary qualifications and 1-3 years of experience in operations or finance. A competitive salary package and attractive perks are on offer.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of operations, finance, or administrative experience.
• Comfortable working with ambiguity and complexity.
• High-energy, positive, and collaborative approach.

Responsibilities

• Support end-to-end operational cycles across international territories.
• Coordinate data flows and ensure deadlines are met.
• Investigate and resolve routine operational issues.
• Identify risks, recurring issues, and process gaps.

Skills

Analytical problem-solving ability

Strong attention to detail

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Tech-savvy mindset

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification

Job description

Location: Hybrid | Employment Type: Full-Time | Industry: HR Tech | Global Payroll | Employer of Record

WatersEdge Solutions is partnering with a high-growth global HR tech business to recruit a sharp, detail-oriented Operations Associate. This is an excellent opportunity for someone early in their operations career who enjoys solving problems, coordinating moving parts, and working in a fast-paced global environment.

About the Role

As Operations Associate, you will support global payroll operations across multiple international territories. This is not a traditional payroll processing role; it is a global coordination role focused on data flows, deadlines, partner communication, issue resolution, and process improvement. No payroll background is required, as training will be provided.

Key Responsibilities

• Support end-to-end operational cycles across international territories
• Coordinate data flows and ensure deadlines are met
• Investigate and resolve routine operational issues
• Escalate complex matters with clear context and groundwork completed
• Work with internal teams and in-country partners across multiple jurisdictions
• Maintain process documentation and internal knowledge bases
• Identify risks, recurring issues, and process gaps
• Support process improvement and automation initiatives
• Assist with high-impact, deadline-driven operational projects

What You’ll Bring

• Relevant tertiary qualification with strong academic results
• 1–3 years of operations, finance, or administrative experience
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Analytical problem-solving ability
• Comfortable working with ambiguity and complexity
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Tech-savvy mindset and willingness to learn new systems
• High-energy, positive, and collaborative approach

Nice to Have

• Startup or scale-up experience
• Global payroll exposure
• Bilingual or multilingual capability
• Experience supporting international partners or cross-border operations

What’s On Offer

• Competitive salary package
• Share incentive scheme
• Hybrid working model
• 4 weeks work-from-anywhere policy
• Unlimited coffee, drinks, and healthy snacks
• Opportunity to learn global operations in a high-growth environment

Company Culture

This is a fast-moving, collaborative environment that values continuous improvement, ownership, impact, and excellence. It suits someone who is curious, adaptable, positive, and excited to help build scalable processes in a growing global business.