Senior Payroll Officer

As a Senior Payroll Officer, you will be entrusted with overseeing the full spectrum of payroll activities for a large academic institution. Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve managing the entire payroll cycle from data validation through to final payment processing while ensuring strict adherence to legislative requirements. You will act as a key point of contact for escalated queries from both internal colleagues and external agencies—providing clear guidance on entitlements under enterprise agreements or policy frameworks. In addition to routine processing tasks such as overtime calculations or leave management, you will also play an instrumental role in driving continuous improvement initiatives by reviewing business processes and collaborating on system enhancements. Your ability to foster strong working relationships across HR Services, Finance, ITDS (Information Technology & Digital Services), and other departments will be essential in maintaining seamless operations. You will help build capability within the team while contributing positively to the overall culture of professionalism and service excellence. * Deliver end-to-end payroll functions by validating payroll data and calculations to ensure accuracy in all salary and benefit transactions. * Maintain the integrity of fortnightly payroll processing by identifying anomalies such as underpayments or overpayments and following up with relevant stakeholders to resolve issues promptly. * Collaborate closely with Information Technology teams to address system issues related to payroll software and participate in user acceptance testing for new solutions or updates. * Manage complex demands from multiple stakeholders by balancing competing priorities while consistently meeting customer expectations for timely service delivery. * Stay current with legislative requirements affecting payroll operations including tax, superannuation, leave entitlements, PAYG reporting, single touch payroll compliance, and audit obligations. * Prepare year-end financial processing for payroll ensuring all statutory returns are completed accurately and submitted on time. * Provide expert advice to HR Advisory teams regarding termination payments, estimates, and other complex pay matters while supporting the HR Service Centre with salary payment coordination. * Develop effective partnerships with internal teams such as Remuneration, HR Executive & Leadership Teams as well as external agencies like Unisuper or government bodies. * Proactively identify opportunities for process improvements within payroll systems by analysing existing procedures and participating in projects aimed at enhancing efficiency.

To excel as a Senior Payroll Officer you will bring substantial hands-on experience managing comprehensive payroll functions supported by deep familiarity with Australian employment legislation tax regulations superannuation rules. Your background should include interpreting complex workplace agreements providing practical solutions tailored to individual circumstances whilst maintaining meticulous attention detail throughout all aspects transaction processing. Strong interpersonal skills are vital; you must be able communicate clearly empathetically across diverse stakeholder groups building trust through reliable service delivery. A proactive approach towards continuous improvement combined with sound judgement when prioritising tasks ensures that even during periods high demand you remain dependable resource others can rely upon. Familiarity with large & modern payroll system (SAP, Chris21, Micropay) would be advantageous—as would prior exposure higher education sector—but above all it is your dedication nurturing collaborative relationships promoting shared success that sets you apart.

• Extensive experience in end-to-end payroll administration within a complex organisational environment with demonstrated knowledge of relevant legislative frameworks covering pay, tax, leave entitlements, and superannuation.
• Proven track record of delivering professional advice on payroll matters while effectively managing performance expectations within a team setting.
• Strong analytical skills with experience resolving complex queries through multiple customer contact channels in environments characterised by competing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret workplace agreements along with policies, procedures, guidelines relating to salary administration and employee benefits.
• Highly developed interpersonal communication skills—both written and verbal—with a commitment to providing responsive client service at all times.
• Excellent time management abilities enabling you to plan ahead proactively anticipate potential obstacles juggle multiple deadlines successfully without compromising quality.
• Commitment to upholding organisational values such as integrity respect collegiality excellence discovery alongside compliance with codes of conduct behaviour frameworks.
• Understanding of Enterprise Agreements policies procedures guidelines particularly those impacting human resources practices (Desirable).
• Relevant tertiary qualification in Business or Accounting or equivalent combination of education training experience focused on payroll activities.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are encouraged to apply.
To apply please click apply or call Patrick Teixeira Dutra on 08 8216 3534 for a confidential discussion.