Senior Payroll Administrator – Johannesburg (Ref JHB0108)

JG Afrika (Pty) Ltd; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 480,000; Full time

Job summary

JG Afrika (Pty) Ltd in Johannesburg seeks a Senior Payroll Administrator to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing and to provide administrative HR support across functions. The role involves data capture, salary processing, statutory submissions, and maintaining employee records with confidentiality.

The incumbent will manage benefits administration, leave audits and related HR duties, ensuring compliance and precision in all payroll records and submissions.

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Payroll Administration, Human Resources, Finance or related field.
• Payroll or Sage Payroll certification would be advantageous.
• Training in SA payroll legislation and statutory submissions would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Capture new employee information and payroll changes accurately on Sage Payroll.
• Process monthly salaries with established payroll deadlines.
• Review payroll inputs and ensure required approvals are obtained.
• Distribute payslips and EMP201/EMP501 submissions.
• Respond to payroll discrepancies and employee queries.

Skills

Sage Payroll

Payroll processing

Excel

HR records management

Statutory submissions

Confidentiality

Leave administration

Data accuracy

Education

Tertiary qualification in Payroll/HR/Finance

Tools

Sage Payroll

People Resolutions

iLink

Job description

Senior Payroll Administrator – Johannesburg (Ref JHB0108)

The Senior Payroll Administrator is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll and for providing administrative support across key HR functions. The role includes payroll data capturing, salary processing, statutory submissions, employee record management, benefits administration, leave auditing and general HR administration. The incumbent will handle confidential employee information and ensure that payroll and HR records remain accurate, complete and up to date

Duties and Responsibilities:

Payroll Administration

• Capture new employee information and payroll changes accurately and timeously on the Sage Payroll system.
• Process monthly salaries in accordance with established payroll deadlines.
• Critically review payroll inputs and ensure that the necessary approvals have been obtained.
• Import payroll batches and implement authorised system changes.
• Distribute payslips and IRP5 certificates.
• Prepare and submit monthly EMP201 returns to SARS.
• Assist with the annual EMP501 reconciliation and submission.
• Calculate leave pay, retirement awards and other payroll-related payments.
• Generate dummy payslips when required.
• Respond to payroll discrepancies, employee queries and requests for information

Statutory, Benefits and Leave Administration

• Update U-Filing records for departing employees.
• Submit monthly declarations to the Unemployment Insurance Fund.
• Prepare quarterly Statistics South Africa information.
• Process new membership forms and changes relating to medical aid, insurance and retirement benefits.
• Conduct monthly leave audits and provide feedback on discrepancies.
• Process leave information and verify that leave accruals are correctly reflected for payroll and termination purposes.

HR and Records Administration

• Receive, process and file employee documentation.
• Maintain accurate and accessible electronic personnel records.
• Upload documentation to People Resolutions and iLink.
• Ensure that employee qualifications and professional registrations are recorded and kept up to date.
• Maintain appropriate document control and confidentiality standards.
• Diarise employee events, including appointments, terminations, transfers and contract expiry dates.
• Maintain the contracts sent and received schedule and follow up on outstanding signed contracts.
• Issue employee numbers and provide regular feedback on outstanding documentation.
• Process contractor timesheets and follow up on missing submissions.
• Upload job descriptions to iLink and maintain the applicable schedule.
• Extract and compile supporting documentation for audits.

Qualifications:

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Payroll Administration, Human Resources, Finance, Accounting or a related field.
• Payroll or Sage Payroll certification would be advantageous.
• Relevant training in South African payroll legislation and statutory submissions would be advantageous

Experience:

• Relevant experience in payroll administration, preferably within a medium to large organisation.
• Practical experience processing payroll using Sage Payroll.
• Experience with EMP201 and EMP501 submissions, UIF declarations and IRP5 administration.
• Experience in leave administration, employee benefits and payroll reconciliations.
• Experience maintaining employee records and supporting HR processes, including appointments, transfers and terminations.
• Experience using People Resolutions and iLink would be advantageous.

Skills:

• Proficiency in Sage Payroll and payroll data processing.
• Sound understanding of payroll processes, statutory deductions, tax requirements and employee benefits.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Strong numerical, data-capturing and reconciliation skills.
• Ability to calculate salaries, leave pay, bonuses, benefits and termination payments accurately.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong document management and electronic filing skills.
• Ability to explain payroll processes and resolve payroll-related queries.
• Good planning, prioritisation and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and adapt to changing priorities.
• Accuracy and attention to detail: Produces accurate payroll calculations, captures information correctly and maintains reliable records.
• Confidentiality and integrity: Handles sensitive payroll and employee information with discretion.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of deadlines, outputs and the accuracy of payroll information.
• Problem-solving: Investigates and resolves payroll discrepancies and employee queries promptly.
• Planning and organisation: Prioritises tasks effectively and consistently meets payroll and statutory deadlines.
• Critical thinking: Reviews payroll inputs carefully and identifies errors, omissions or unusual transactions.
• Service orientation: Communicates professionally and provides clear, helpful support to employees and stakeholders.
• Adaptability: Manages competing priorities and responds constructively to changing operational requirements.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with HR, Finance, management and external service providers.