Payroll Manager

Edge Executive Search Group; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm is seeking a Payroll Manager in Johannesburg to oversee payroll for a large multi-entity organization. The ideal candidate will ensure compliance with legislation and lead a small team while driving improvements in payroll processes and systems. Strong analytical skills and experience with SAP/VIP are essential. This role demands precision and organizational skills.

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, deductions, and statutory compliance.
• Review and approve payroll and third-party payments.
• Ensure compliance with all legislative requirements.

Skills

Payroll management

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Compliance knowledge

Leadership abilities

Education

Payroll Diploma

BCom Finance

Tools

SAP HCM

VIP

Job description

Overview

Payroll Manager

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Type: 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 HR, Finance, and external stakeholders.

Who the Client Is

This opportunity is with a long-established international group delivering essential engineering and services across multiple sectors. The business is recognised for its scale, governance discipline, and commitment to people development, with a strong footprint in South Africa and globally.

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 (BCom 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.