Payroll Manager

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

Benefits offered by this job

Quarterly bonus

Subsidised medical aid

Office snacks & breakfast

Job summary

The Legends Agency in South Africa seeks an experienced Payroll Manager to oversee full-cycle SA payroll for EOR clients and internal entities. You will supervise the Junior Payroll Administrator, ensure accurate data processing in PaySpace, and support international payroll alignment including UK exposure.

Lead process improvements, stay compliant with SA regulations, and collaborate with the Group Finance Manager on budgeting and audits. Hybrid setup with majority in-office work.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• 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 professional development, onboarding, and training of the Junior Payroll Administrator.
• Manage workload distribution within the payroll team to ensure monthly deadlines and standards are met.
• Lead and oversee full-cycle monthly payroll processing for EOR clients and employees using PaySpace.
• Maintain accurate payroll records and ensure compliance with South African regulations.
• Oversee monthly submissions and interact with SARS, PaySpace, and advisers.
• Verify data changes and salaries within PaySpace, and handle payroll queries.
• Collaborate with Finance Manager to digitise payroll processes and workflows.
• Prepare payroll journals and perform variance analysis.
• Maintain confidentiality and data protection across payroll records.
• Support cash flow forecasting, payroll budgeting, and variance reporting.
• Assist with accounts payable/receivable related to payroll liabilities and contributions.
• Reconciling PaySpace reports with GL and bank statements.
• Liaise with auditors for payroll-related audits.

Skills

Leadership

PaySpace

Excel

Attention to detail

UK payroll exposure

Communication

Education

Grade 12 / Matric diploma

Tools

PaySpace

Job description

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

• 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, digitise, 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, labor 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 organizational 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

• Monthly base salary: R35,000.00 - R40,000.00 (Commensurate with experience)
• Quarterly Performance Bonus Scheme
• Subsidised medical aid after appropriate tenure
• Complimentary coffee, tea, fruit, and breakfast provided in the office