Payroll Manager

Legends Employer of Record; Wes-Kaap; Hybrid; ZAR 391,000 - 446,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Quarterly Performance Bonus Scheme

Subsidised medical aid after tenure

Complimentary coffee, tea, fruit, and小

Job summary

The Legends Agency in Cape Town seeks a Payroll Manager to oversee full-cycle South African payroll for our EOR client portfolio and internal entities.

Reporting to the Group Finance Manager, you will supervise a Junior Payroll Administrator, ensure compliance with SA regulations, and drive PaySpace system optimisations.

This hybrid role combines hands-on payroll expertise with leadership, aiming to improve processes and align international payroll where applicable.

Qualifications

• Grade 12/Matric diploma is required.
• Experience processing multi-entity RSA payroll for EOR clients using PaySpace.
• Exposure to UK monthly payroll processing is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise the day-to-day workflow of the Junior Payroll Administrator.
• Oversee full-cycle SA payroll processing for EOR clients and employees using PaySpace.
• Ensure SA regulatory compliance (UIF, PAYE, SDL, COIDA, and tax).
• Prepare payroll journals and reconcile accounts monthly.
• Collaborate with the Group Finance Manager on budgeting and reporting.
• Support international payroll alignment, including exposure to UK payroll.

Skills

Leadership

Numerical accuracy

UK payroll exposure

RSA multi-entity payroll knowledge

Education

Grade 12 / Matric diploma

Tools

PaySpace

Job description

Job title: Payroll Manager

Location: Gardens, Cape Town

Reporting to: Group Finance Manager

Direct Reports: Junior Payroll Administrator

Working Setup: 40 hours per week, hybrid, majority in office

The Business:

The role is at a leading Employer of Record (EOR) and recruitment business based in South Africa. We specialise in enabling international and local companies to seamlessly employ, manage, and pay workforce talent across borders. Our model drives digitalisation, strict statutory compliance, and operational efficiency, empowering businesses to scale smoothly. As part of our high-growth trajectory, we are continually expanding our international markets, including the UK, US, and EU.

The Role:

We are seeking an experienced and detail-driven Payroll Manager to join our middle management team at The Legends Agency. Reporting directly to the Group Finance Manager, this role is responsible for overseeing full‑cycle South African payroll operations across our EOR client portfolio and internal South African entities, supervising a Junior Payroll Administrator, and supporting international payroll alignment (including exposure to UK payroll and operations).

The ideal candidate combines hands‑on technical payroll expertise - with deep, essential PaySpace platform knowledge— with team leadership capabilities, analytical rigor, and a commitment to process optimisation.

Responsibilities

Team Supervision & Leadership

• Mentor, and supervise the day-to-day workflow of the Junior Payroll Administrator.
• Review and approve monthly payroll inputs, data entries, and reconciliations prepared by the junior team member.
• Support the professional development, onboarding, and training of the Junior Payroll Administrator.
• Manage workload distribution within the payroll team to ensure all monthly deadlines and operational standards are met.

Payroll Operations & Management

• Lead and oversee full‑cycle monthly payroll processing for EOR clients and employees using PaySpace, ensuring complete accuracy and timeliness.
• Maintain accurate payroll records and ensure total compliance with South African statutory regulations (UIF, PAYE, SDL, COIDA, and tax directives).
• Oversee monthly statutory submissions (EMP201s, bi-annual EMP501 reconciliations) and serve as the main operational contact for SARS, PaySpace, and external advisers.
• Verify complex employee data changes, executive/high‑level salaries, benefits, deductions, commissions, and leave balances within the PaySpace system.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex payroll, tax, and payslip queries referred by the junior administrator, EOR clients, or internal leads.
• Partner with the Finance Manager to refine, digitize, and optimise internal payroll processes and PaySpace system workflows.
• Prepare and post accurate payroll journals, complete account reconciliations, and perform routine monthly variance analysis.
• Ensure strict confidentiality, security, and data protection standards across all payroll records.

Finance & Reporting Support

• Collaborate closely with the Group Finance Manager on cash flow forecasting, payroll budgeting, and variance reporting.
• Support accounts payable/receivable elements related to third‑party payroll liabilities, medical aid, and pension contributions.
• Perform regular reconciliations between PaySpace payroll reports, general ledger accounts, and bank statements.
• Prepare audit schedules and liaise with internal/external auditors to ensure seamless financial and compliance audits.
• Monitor payroll‑related operational spend and petty cash/credit card allocations where relevant.

Compliance & Alignment

• Stay current on evolving South African tax law, labour legislation, and statutory requirements, keeping the Finance Manager informed of operational impacts.
• Maintain complete, audit‑ready documentation for all payroll cycles and statutory filings.
• Work cross‑functionally with HR and Finance colleagues to support middle‑management strategic initiatives and ad‑hoc projects.

Qualifications and Experience

Certifications & Experience:

• Grade 12 / Matric diploma required.
• Experience in processing and managing multi‑entity/EOR RSA payroll operations.
• Essential: Deep, hands‑on administrative and functional experience using PaySpace enterprise payroll software.
• Working knowledge or exposure to UK monthly payroll processing (highly advantageous).

Skills and Characteristics:

• Proven leadership and supervisory abilities, with a coaching mindset.
• High level of numeric accuracy, exceptional attention to detail, and sound analytical capabilities.
• Advanced PaySpace system navigation and configuration capabilities.
• Strong organisational and management skills with the ability to manage competing deadlines.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, capable of liaising comfortably with senior managers and staff.
• Ability to work autonomously while aligning closely with the Finance Manager's goals.
• Solutions‑driven approach with an eagerness to optimise systems and drive efficiencies.

Compensation and Incentives

Base Salary:

• Monthly base salary: R35,000.00 – R40,000.00 (Commensurate with experience)

Incentives & Benefits:

• Quarterly Performance Bonus Scheme
• Subsidised medical aid after appropriate tenure
• Complimentary coffee, tea, fruit, and breakfast provided in the office