Payroll Manager

Edge Executives; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 500,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment firm is seeking a Payroll Manager to oversee the end-to-end payroll function in Johannesburg. This role requires strong leadership and compliance skills, along with technical expertise in payroll systems like SAP and VIP. The ideal candidate will have 5–8 years of payroll management experience and demonstrate exceptional numerical and analytical skills, ensuring 100% compliance with statutory requirements while managing a small team.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years’ payroll management experience, including SAP / VIP.
• Strong knowledge of payroll legislation and compliance.
• Excellent numerical, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee payroll processing for salaries, benefits, and deductions.
• Review and approve payroll and third-party payments.
• Ensure compliance with all legislative requirements.

Skills

Payroll management

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Education

Payroll Diploma

Tools

SAP HCM

VIP

Job description

Overview

Payroll Manager – Johannesburg, South Africa – Permanent

Precision matters. You turn complexity into clarity.

About the Role

We’re seeking a Payroll Manager to lead the end-to-end payroll function for a large, multi-entity organisation. You’ll ensure accuracy, compliance, and timely delivery while driving improvements in payroll systems, processes, and controls. This role combines technical expertise with leadership, requiring collaboration across , , and external stakeholders.

What You’ll Do

• Oversee payroll processing for salaries, benefits, deductions, and statutory compliance.
• Review and approve payroll and third-party payments.
• Ensure compliance with all legislative requirements (EMP201, EMP501, UIF, WCF, EEA4).
• Maintain payroll systems (SAP HCM, VIP), ensuring updates, patches, and UAT.
• Reconcile payroll with Finance and HR data; manage monthly cashflow.
• Liaise with auditors and manage payroll tax audits.
• Resolve employee and third-party payroll queries.
• Lead a small team, ensuring governance, data integrity, and risk control.
• Contribute to HR projects and the People Plan.

What You Bring

• Payroll Diploma ( Finance an advantage).
• 5–8 years’ payroll management experience, including SAP / VIP.
• Strong knowledge of payroll legislation and compliance.
• Excellent numerical, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• High accuracy, confidentiality, and attention to detail.
• Strong organisational and leadership skills.

What Success Looks Like

• 100% compliance with statutory requirements and deadlines.
• Payroll runs accurately, efficiently, and on schedule.
• Smooth audits and reconciliations with minimal queries.
• Employee and stakeholder trust in payroll accuracy and confidentiality.
• A motivated, effective payroll team aligned with governance standards.

Rewards & Realities

You’ll enjoy influence, responsibility, and visibility across HR and Finance. The flip side: tight deadlines, complex compliance demands, and the need for absolute precision.