Payroll Manager

Stonebridge HR Solutions; Centurion; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Stonebridge HR Solutions is seeking a PaySpace Super User to lead end-to-end payroll for 1,500+ staff across multiple entities in South Africa. The role concentrates on system configuration, data integrity, and regulatory compliance.

You will manage a small payroll team, drive process improvements, ensure timely monthly payroll runs, and maintain strong controls around SARS, Labour, WCA and related submissions.

Qualifications

• Deep advanced PaySpace knowledge is essential.
• Matric/Grade 12 is essential.
• Degree or Diploma in Payroll, Accounting, Finance, or HR is highly advantageous.
• Total payroll experience of 8+ years in payroll administration.
• 5+ years leadership/management experience in payroll.
• Proven track record in multi-entity payroll environments with 1,500+ staff.
• Experience onboarding entities with SARS, Labour, and WCA.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a payroll team of 3 officers with structured workflows.
• Ensure monthly payroll deadlines are met and accuracy is maintained.
• Design and maintain internal controls to minimize risk and improve efficiency.
• Act as PaySpace Super: administer access controls, parameters, and system rules.
• Oversee high-volume payroll processing for 1,500+ employees across entities.
• Process wage sheets, biometric data, hires, adjustments, and terminations in PaySpace.
• Perform payroll reconciliations and prepare executive reporting via Smart Reports.
• Coordinate SARS eFiling (EMP201/EMP501) and IRP5 configurations; manage statutory submissions.
• Register new entities with SARS, COIDA/WCA, Labour and related bodies.

Skills

PaySpace Mastery

Advanced MS Excel

E-Filing / EasyFile

Education

Grade 12 (Matric)

Degree/Diploma in Payroll, Accounting, Finance, or HR

Job description

Position overview:

The successful candidate will act as the PaySpace Super User, responsible for end-to-end multi-entity payroll processing, system parameter configuration, entity registrations, and flawless tax and statutory compliance across 1,500+ staff members.

Requirements:

• Payspace - deep advanced understanding is essential
• Grade 12 (Matric): Essential.
• Tertiary Qualification: Degree/Diploma in Payroll, Accounting, Finance, or Human Resources (highly advantageous).
• Total Payroll Experience: Minimum 8+ years of hands-on payroll administration
• Leadership Experience: Minimum 5+ years in a direct managerial or team leadership capacity overseeing payroll staff.
• Volume Capacity: Proven track record managing complex, multi-entity payroll environments exceeding 1,500 employees.
• Entity Onboarding: Demonstrated experience in setting up and registering new companies with statutory bodies (SARS, Labour, WCA).
• Bureau Experience: Background working within a payroll bureau or multi-client/multi- entity structure is highly desirable.

Technical & System Skills

• PaySpace Mastery (Non-negotiable): Deep functional understanding of PaySpace, including parameter changes, module setups, and advanced system
• Advanced MS Excel: Non-negotiable proficiency (VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables, data matching, payroll reconciliations).
• E-Filing / EasyFile: Expert level in managing EMP201, EMP501 periodic, and annual

Responsibilities:

Departmental Leadership, Structure & Governance

• Team Management: Direct, train, motivate, and manage performance for 3 Payroll Officers, establishing structured workflows and delegating responsibilities as the team
• Accountability & Discipline: Enforce strict adherence to monthly payroll deadlines and hold team members accountable to a "first-time right" standard.
• Process Optimization: Design, implement, and maintain internal control systems and checking mechanisms to minimize risk and improve departmental efficiency.
• System Administration: Act as the internal PaySpace Super Establish access controls, audit user rights, configure parameters, and set up system rules for new operational requirements.

End-to-End Payroll Processing & Financial Controls

• High-Volume Payroll: Oversee the monthly rolling payroll execution for 1,500+ employees across multiple corporate and store entities.
• Data Integration: Review and process wage sheets, biometric clocking data, new hires, salary adjustments, variable pay, and terminations in PaySpace.
• Financial Reconciliations: Perform deep-dive payroll account ledger reconciliations, clear payroll-related queries, authorize bank payment uploads, and generate executive reporting via Smart Reports.

Compliance, Entity Registrations & Statutory Submissions

• SARS Compliance: Flawlessly execute monthly, bi-annual, and annual SARS returns (EMP201 and EMP501) via eFiling/EasyFile; oversee IRP5 run configurations and distribution.
• Entity Registrations: Register new corporate entities/companies with relevant bodies including SARS, COIDA/WCA, Department of Employment and Labour, and Bargaining
• Statutory Body Management: Reconcile and submit data for Bargaining Councils, Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), Compensation Fund (WCA/COIDA), and Provident Funds (Sanlam/Momentum/IRetire).
• Legislative Alignment: Ensure all payroll operations comply strictly with South African employment laws, including the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA),
• Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA), and SARS legislation.