Senior Payroll Manager

Job title : Senior Payroll Manager
Location : Victoria
Job type : Permanent or Full Time
Contact name : Sarah Armstrong
Contact email : sarmstrong@sharpandcarter.com.au
Job reference : sa77513
  • 12 month FTC – Potential to extend
  • $160,000 - $170,000 + Super + Salary Packaging
  • Inner-East Suburbs | 2 days WFH
The Opportunity
Our client is a large, purpose-driven organisation supporting thousands of employees across a complex, high-volume payroll environment. With significant transformation initiatives underway, payroll has become a key strategic focus and highly visible function across the business.
An exciting opportunity exists for a Senior Payroll Manager to lead a large payroll team while driving operational excellence, process improvement, and payroll transformation initiatives.
This is an ideal opportunity for a hands-on payroll leader who enjoys balancing BAU operations with strategic improvement projects and thrives in complex environments where they can make a genuine impact.

Key Responsibilities
  • Lead the end-to-end payroll function for a workforce of 5000 + employees
  • Manage a medium size team of payroll professionals, driving accountability, capability development, and team engagement
  • Ensure accurate and compliant payroll processing across complex Enterprise Agreements and time & attendance arrangements
  • Act as the escalation point for complex payroll, compliance, and employee-related queries
  • Drive payroll governance, controls, reconciliation processes, and audit readiness
  • Partner closely with Finance, HR, Operations, and Technology stakeholders to improve payroll outcomes
  • Assist with Enterprise Agreement consolidation initiatives and the associated payroll impacts
  • Identify opportunities to automate, streamline, and improve payroll processes
  • Deliver continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, compliance, and employee experience
About You
  • 5+ years proven experience as a Payroll Manager leading payroll functions within large, complex, high-volume environments
  • Strong understanding of Australian payroll legislation, compliance, and governance requirements
  • Demonstrated experience working with multiple Enterprise Agreements, awards, and complex payroll interpretations
  • Hands-on leadership style with the ability to mentor, motivate, and develop teams
  • Experience supporting payroll transformation projects, system implementations, or major change initiatives
  • Strong stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to influence and build trusted relationships
  • Solutions-focused mindset with a proactive approach to problem solving
  • Comfortable operating in environments that are evolving and undergoing significant change
What's on Offer
  • 12 month fixed term senior leadership opportunity within a large and respected organisation
  • $160,000 - $170,000 + superannuation
  • Attractive salary packaging benefits, providing a total package value of approximately $200,000
  • Hybrid working model (3 days office / 2 days WFH)
  • Convenient inner-eastern suburbs location close to public transport
  • Exposure to senior leadership and strategic business initiatives
  • Supportive, values-driven culture focused on making a meaningful difference
How to Apply
To apply, please submit your application directly.
For a confidential discussion, please contact Sarah Armstrong at sarmstrong@sharpandcarter.com.au.