Payroll Administrator | Group Finance | Business Services

Allan Gray; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Allan Gray in Cape Town is seeking a Payroll Administrator on a 9-month fixed-term contract. The role covers day-to-day payroll administration, contract preparation, data capture, and timely, compliant payroll delivery within a support-focused team.

The candidate should have a BCom/BTech or related payroll qualification, 2–3 years' payroll experience, and solid knowledge of payroll processes and legislation. A hybrid work model applies, with 4 in-office days per week.

Qualifications

• A BCom, BTech, or relevant certificate/diploma in Payroll, Accounting, or a related field.
• Minimum of 2–3 years’ experience in payroll processing and administration.
• Knowledge of HR and payroll processes, payroll tax and relevant payroll legislation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a strong customer service orientation.

Responsibilities

• Daily Payroll Administration: assist with mailbox management, prepare employment contracts, and support end-to-end monthly payroll processing for ~1,400 employees.
• Quarterly and Annual Payroll Support: assist with regulatory submissions (IRP5, COID, STATS SA, UIF) and year-end reports.
• General Team Support: assist with payroll process improvements and ad-hoc team tasks.

Skills

Payroll processing experience

Attention to detail

Education

BCom / BTech or payroll-related certificate/diploma

Tools

SAGE People

Business Central

SARS e@syFile

eFiling

Excel

Outlook

Word

Job description

About The Role

This opportunity is a 9-month fixed-term contract with an immediate start date. The successful candidate will provide day-to-day payroll administration support, including preparing employment contracts, processing staff contract changes, capturing and processing payroll information, and responding to employee and manager queries. Working as part of an experienced payroll team, the Payroll Administrator will play an important role in supporting accurate, timely and compliant payroll delivery.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following key responsibilities:

Daily Payroll Administration

• Assist with mailbox management to meet service expectations in line with agreed response times.
• Prepare employment contracts, usually twice weekly.
• Support end-to-end monthly payroll processing for approximately 1,400 employees, including new hires, terminations, overtime, commission and benefits.
• Prepare reports based on business needs and information requests.

Quarterly and Annual Payroll Support

• Assist the team with regulatory submissions, including IRP5, COID, STATS SA and UIF.
• Prepare financial year-end reports for external auditors.

General Team Support

• Support the team with projects such as payroll process improvements.
• Provide general assistance to the team as required.

Qualifications And Experience

• A BCom, BTech, or relevant certificate/diploma in Payroll, Accounting, or a related field.
• Minimum of 2–3 years’ experience in payroll processing and administration.
• Knowledge of HR and payroll processes, payroll tax and relevant payroll legislation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a strong customer service orientation.

Key Attributes

• Able to manage high volumes of work while maintaining strong attention to detail.
• Accurate and methodical.
• Demonstrates a high standard of personal integrity, maturity and respect for confidentiality.
• Energetic, flexible, organised, trustworthy and self-disciplined.
• Able to manage time and workflow activities effectively.
• Able to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong follow-through, ensuring queries and outstanding items are tracked to resolution.
• Service‑orientated, professional and empathetic in responding to employee and manager queries.
• Proactive in identifying payroll risks, exceptions and process improvement opportunities.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills.
• Results orientated.
• Able to work effectively within, and as part of, the Business Services team.
• Able to work independently when required.
• The successful candidate should be flexible and available to work additional hours during peak periods to support the timely completion of monthly payroll deadlines.

Technical Skills

• Experience using Outlook, Word and intermediate to advanced Excel.
• Experience with SAGE People and Business Central is advantageous but not essential.
• Experience with SARS e@syFile and eFiling.

What We Offer

• A supportive team environment with initial and ongoing learning from experienced payroll professionals.
• Hybrid model (currently minimum of 4 in-office days per week)

Location

V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

Closing Date

05 October 2026

Please include copies of your matric certificate and university transcripts.