Senior Payroll Specialist

Placements24; Vereeniging; Hybrid; ZAR 700,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund contributions

Fully remote role

Job summary

Placements24 is recruiting an experienced Senior Payroll Specialist to join a fully remote HR operations team. You will oversee end-to-end payroll processing across nationwide employee groups and provide expert guidance on payroll matters.

The role demands 5+ years of SA payroll experience, strong knowledge of PAYE/ UIF/ SDL, and proficiency with Sage VIP or Oracle HCM Payroll, along with advanced Excel skills. Remote work enables flexibility while maintaining accuracy and compliance.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of comprehensive experience in payroll administration, with a strong focus on South African payroll legislation.
• Proficiency with PAYE, UIF, SDL, Garnishees, and related regulations.
• Proficient in major payroll software and advanced MS Excel skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end payroll process for a large employee base, ensuring accuracy and deadlines.
• Oversee correct application of statutory deductions (PAYE, UIF, SDL) and SARS submissions.
• Process complex payroll adjustments, including back-pays, overtime, and ad-hoc payments.
• Ensure compliance with South African labour laws and tax legislation pertaining to payroll.
• Reconcile payroll data and prepare detailed reports for management, finance, and HR.
• Manage employee data changes, new hires, and terminations within the payroll system.
• Act as the primary point of contact for escalated payroll queries from employees and HR partners.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, and IT to ensure seamless payroll operations.
• Participate in payroll system upgrades, testing and implementation projects.
• Identify opportunities for automation and process improvements within payroll.

Skills

Payroll accuracy

Advanced Excel

Remote communication

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Education

Matriculation certificate

Payroll qualification (SAPY)

Payroll Practitioner

Tools

Sage VIP

Oracle HCM Payroll

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading national organization with a distributed workforce, is seeking an experienced Senior Payroll Specialist to join their remote-based HR operations team. This role is critical for ensuring the accurate, compliant, and timely processing of payroll across all employee groups nationwide. You will be responsible for managing complex payroll scenarios, providing expert guidance on payroll-related matters, and driving process improvements. This is an exceptional opportunity for a highly skilled payroll professional to excel in a fully remote capacity, contributing to a company that values efficiency and employee well-being.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end payroll process for a large employee base, ensuring accuracy and adherence to deadlines.
• Oversee the correct application of statutory deductions, including PAYE, UIF, and SDL, and ensure timely submissions to SARS.
• Process complex payroll adjustments, including back-pays, overtime, and ad-hoc payments.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant South African labour laws and tax legislation pertaining to payroll.
• Reconcile payroll data and prepare detailed reports for management, finance, and HR departments.
• Manage employee data changes, new hires, and terminations within the payroll system.
• Act as the primary point of contact for escalated payroll queries from employees and HR business partners.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, and IT departments to ensure seamless payroll operations.
• Participate in payroll system upgrades, testing, and implementation projects.
• Identify opportunities for automation and process improvement within the payroll function.

Requirements

• Matriculation certificate or equivalent; a relevant payroll qualification (e.g., SAPY, Payroll Practitioner) is highly desirable.
• A minimum of 5 years of comprehensive experience in payroll administration, with a strong focus on South African payroll legislation.
• In-depth knowledge of PAYE, UIF, SDL, Garnishees, and other payroll-related regulations.
• Proficiency with major payroll software packages (e.g., Sage VIP, Oracle HCM Payroll) and advanced MS Excel skills.
• Experience managing payroll for a large and diverse workforce.
• Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively manage remote interactions.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet strict deadlines in a remote work environment.
• Demonstrated experience in process improvement initiatives within payroll.

Benefits

This role offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including medical aid and retirement fund contributions. The primary benefit is the fully remote nature of the role, offering unparalleled flexibility and work-life balance. Our client invests in continuous professional development, providing access to relevant training and resources to keep you at the forefront of payroll best practices. You will be part of a supportive and dynamic team, working on engaging projects and contributing to the efficient operation of a major national organization.