Position Overview - Payroll Manager

About the Organisation

Our client is a highly respected and well-known provider within the education services sector, recognised for delivering exceptional learning outcomes and nurturing positive organisational culture. With a diverse workforce supporting students, educators, and community programs, the organisation is committed to operational excellence and values-driven service.

As the organisation continues to grow, it is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to oversee payroll operations and ensure the timely and accurate delivery of all remuneration services.

Position Summary

The Payroll Manager is responsible for managing end-to-end payroll functions across a multi-site, award-based education environment. This role ensures payroll compliance, drives process improvements, and leads a small team to deliver high-quality support to employees and managers.

The Payroll Manager acts as the organisation's subject-matter expert on payroll matters, ensuring systems, processes, and controls are robust, efficient, and aligned with relevant legislation, industrial instruments, and organisational policies.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Operations

• Manage the full payroll cycle for a diverse and fluctuating workforce, including permanent, contract, and casual employees.
  
• Oversee and verify pay runs, adjustments, terminations, back-pay calculations, superannuation, and leave entitlements.
  
• Ensure accurate interpretation and application of relevant awards, enterprise agreements, and employment contracts.
  
• Maintain payroll system integrity and oversee data accuracy across HRIS and finance systems.
  

Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure payroll compliance with Fair Work legislation, taxation law, superannuation requirements, and sector regulatory standards.
  
• Prepare and submit statutory reporting including Single Touch Payroll (STP), PAYG, superannuation, and end-of-year summaries.
  
• Lead internal and external payroll audits and maintain detailed documentation.
  
• Develop payroll-related policies and procedures to support best practice and governance.
  

Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Lead, mentor, and manage payroll staff to ensure high performance and professional development.
  
• Provide payroll advice to senior leaders, HR, and employees, fostering strong working relationships across the organisation.
  
• Work collaboratively with HR, Finance, and Operations teams to streamline processes and support business priorities.
  

Systems & Process Improvement

• Identify opportunities to enhance payroll efficiency and accuracy through systems optimisation and process refinement.
  
• Lead payroll system upgrades, testing, and implementation of new systems
  
• Develop training materials and support change management initiatives relating to payroll processes.
  

Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• Extensive experience managing end-to-end payroll within a complex, multi-award environment (education or NFP highly regarded).
  
• Strong working knowledge of payroll legislation, awards/enterprise agreements, and contemporary payroll practices.
  
• Demonstrated leadership experience with the ability to coach and motivate a team.
  
• Experience workin in a high volume payroll of 1,000 + employees - Essential
  
• Exprience in leading a Payroll Systems implementation project - Highly desirable
• High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and analytical capability.
  
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills.