Senior Payroll Officer

Believe Resourcing; Rosebank; On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency in South Africa is looking for a Senior Payroll Officer to manage payroll operations, ensure compliance with South African legislation, and supervise payroll staff. The ideal candidate will have a diploma in Payroll or HR, over three years of experience in payroll processes, and strong Excel skills. This full-time position comes with competitive benefits, including a monthly salary ranging from R30 000 to R36 000.

Benefits

50% medical aid contribution (up to R3 268)

6% pension fund contribution

Group life cover

Funeral plan

Income protection/security cover

Qualifications

• 3+ years operational payroll/finance experience is essential.
• 2+ years supervisory experience is essential.
• Accuracy, attention to detail, and strong organisational skills.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and coordinate payroll operations for accurate processing.
• Ensure compliance with payroll legislation and prepare statutory reports.
• Prepare payroll reports for management and process journal entries.

Skills

Proficiency in Sage 300 People

Strong Microsoft Excel skills

Knowledge of South African payroll legislation

Excellent communication abilities

Leadership abilities

Education

Diploma in Payroll/HR/Finance

Degree preferred

Tools

Sage Evolution

Job description

Job Title: Senior Payroll Officer

Location: Johannesburg

Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Salary & Benefits

• Basic salary: R30 000 – R36 000 per month

• 50% medical aid contribution (up to a maximum of R3 268)

• 6% pension fund contribution

• Group life cover

• Funeral plan

• Income protection/security cover

Purpose of the Role

We’re searching for a skilled Payroll Supervisor to oversee and manage accurate, compliant, and efficient payroll operations for our client – a leading player in the media & entertainment sector.

This role goes beyond payroll processing: you’ll be the key link between Finance, HR, and leadership teams, driving payroll excellence, compliance, and system optimisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Payroll Processing & Administration

  • Supervise and coordinate day-to-day payroll operations to ensure accurate and timely processing of salaries, wages, and benefits.

  • Capture, verify, and maintain employee payroll data (new hires, terminations, transfers, salary adjustments, allowances).

  • Process monthly payroll runs and reconcile payroll data.

  • Administer statutory deductions (PAYE, UIF, SDL) and third-party payments (medical aid, pension/provident funds, garnishees).

  • Maintain payroll records and employee files in compliance with company policy.

• Compliance & Statutory Requirements

  • Ensure compliance with SARS, UIF, PAYE, SDL, BCEA, and other relevant legislation.

  • Prepare and submit accurate statutory reports to SARS.

  • Complete submissions for terminated employees, maternity leave, and other labour requirements.

  • Reconcile internal payroll records against external reports and remain current with all payroll and labour legislation.

• Reporting & Financial Support

  • Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual payroll reports for management, HR, and Finance.

  • Process month-end journal entries to Sage Evolution and complete general ledger administration.

  • Provide accurate data for budget planning, forecasting, and cost analysis related to payroll.

• Audit, Controls & Process Improvement

  • Maintain and update payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls.

  • Support internal and external audits by preparing required documentation.

  • Drive payroll process improvements, automation initiatives, and system upgrades.

• Stakeholder Support

  • Handle payroll queries and discrepancies professionally and timeously.

  • Liaise with external stakeholders including auditors, tax authorities, and benefit providers.

  • Support HR with onboarding and offboarding processes from a payroll perspective.

• People Management & Team Development

  • Supervise, mentor, and develop payroll staff to enhance accuracy, compliance, and efficiency.

  • Allocate tasks, monitor performance, and provide training where necessary.

Minimum Requirements

• Diploma in Payroll/HR/Finance (essential); Degree preferred.

• 3+ years operational payroll/finance experience (essential).

• 2+ years supervisory experience (essential).

• Proficiency in Sage 300 People (intermediate) and Sage Evolution (basic).

• Strong Microsoft Excel skills.

• Solid knowledge of South African payroll legislation.

• Accuracy, attention to detail, and strong organisational skills.

• Excellent communication and leadership abilities