Payroll Specialist

Payroll Management and Execution

• Manage the full end-to-end payroll process, ensuring accurate and timely payments to all employees.

• Validate and process monthly payroll inputs, including new hires, terminations, transfers, and changes to employee data.

• Review and approve reconciliations, payroll journals, statutory submissions, and vendor payments.

• Ensure compliance with all payroll-related legislation, tax, and statutory requirements.

• Conduct payroll checks and controls to ensure zero errors and on-time submissions.

Governance, Audit, and Compliance

• Maintain robust payroll governance frameworks, ensuring strong internal controls are in place.

• Address any audit findings promptly and ensure corrective actions are implemented.

• Ensure payroll policies, procedures, and authorisation matrices are adhered to consistently.

• Support internal and external audit processes by preparing required documentation and reconciliations.

Data Accuracy and Systems Management

• Maintain master data accuracy across payroll and HC systems.

• Conduct regular self-audits and exception reporting to ensure data integrity.

• Partner with the HC Systems and IT teams to implement improvements, resolve issues, and optimise payroll platforms.

• Support system upgrades, integrations, and automation initiatives to improve efficiency and accuracy.

People Cost Reporting and Analytics

• Prepare monthly and quarterly reports on headcount, people costs, overtime, and leave balances.

• Analyse variances between actual and budgeted payroll costs and provide insight to HC and Finance.

• Track vacancy savings and other payroll-related metrics to support workforce planning and budgeting.

• Ensure accurate and timely payroll data submissions to Finance for financial reporting purposes.

Stakeholder Management

• Partner with Finance, HC Business Partners, and Line Managers to resolve payroll queries and ensure alignment on people cost management.

• Liaise with external payroll vendors or service providers to ensure service-level compliance and quality.

• Communicate payroll timelines, changes, and outcomes to relevant stakeholders clearly and professionally.

Team Management and Development

• Manage, coach, and develop direct reports to deliver service excellence and continuous improvement.

• Conduct regular one-on-one discussions and support individual development plans (IDPs).

• Foster a culture of accountability, accuracy, and customer service within the payroll team.

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration.

• Payroll or tax certification will be advantageous

• 5 to 7 years’ experience in payroll operations within a large or complex organisation.

• Advanced Excel and data reconciliation skills.

• Payroll systems expertise and process governance.

• Strong analytical and numerical ability.

• Understanding of HC processes and interfaces (e.g., time & attendance, master data).

• Reporting and audit preparation capability

• High attention to detail and accuracy.

• Customer service orientation with strong problem-solving ability.

• Effective communicator with strong interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

• Integrity, accountability, and a continuous improvement mindset