Manager, Payroll Operations in Australia Fair, Queensland at Jobgether

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Manager, Payroll Operations based in Australia.

This is a senior payroll leadership role responsible for overseeing regional payroll operations across Australia and New Zealand.
You will lead a payroll team while ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll delivery across complex international requirements.
The role combines people leadership, operational ownership, vendor management, compliance, and continuous process improvement.
You’ll act as a key point of contact for internal and external stakeholders on payroll-related matters and help resolve operational challenges efficiently.
Success will depend on your ability to balance strong controls with a productivity-focused, highly scalable approach to payroll operations.
You’ll work in a global, asynchronous, fully remote environment that values autonomy, accountability, and proactive problem-solving.
This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on a critical global people function while helping shape more efficient payroll practices.

• Lead, mentor, and support the Payroll Operations team, providing clear guidance, removing blockers, and helping team members develop professionally.
• Own the end-to-end payroll function for the relevant region, ensuring payroll is processed accurately, on time, and in accordance with applicable local regulations.
• Plan and implement payroll operations strategies, processes, and best practices that support a scalable global payroll function.
• Serve as a central point of contact for internal stakeholders, external providers, and other partners on payroll-related matters.
• Maintain strong relationships with third-party payroll, accounting, and payroll service providers, ensuring effective service delivery and issue resolution.
• Stay current with international and regional payroll legislation and ensure processes remain compliant with applicable government requirements, company policies, and procedures.
• Establish and monitor team KPIs, service-level agreements, and operational metrics to improve performance, quality, and efficiency.
• Identify opportunities to automate, simplify, and accelerate payroll processes, applying a continuous-improvement mindset to day-to-day operations.
• Use data and analytical insights to identify operational risks, resolve complex payroll issues, and improve team productivity.
• Promote an asynchronous and outcome-focused working model, ensuring effective collaboration across geographically distributed teams.
• Partner with leadership and relevant functions to support payroll planning, operational improvements, and broader organizational objectives.

• Extensive experience in regional or global payroll operations, with strong knowledge of payroll processes and best practices across multiple countries.
• Proven experience implementing payroll operations across multiple jurisdictions and managing relationships with third-party payroll providers.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing payroll teams, with a people-management approach centered on coaching, trust, accountability, and empowerment rather than micromanagement.
• Strong understanding of country-specific payroll legislation, regulations, compliance requirements, and operational controls.
• Experience managing end-to-end payroll processes with a strong focus on accuracy, timeliness, confidentiality, and regulatory compliance.
• Proficiency with payroll and productivity tools such as SAP, Excel, and Google Sheets.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to investigate issues, identify root causes, and implement practical solutions.
• A productivity-oriented mindset, with a demonstrated habit of finding ways to simplify workflows, improve processes, and increase operational efficiency.
• Excellent stakeholder-management and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with internal teams and external service providers.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, international environment with a high degree of autonomy and accountability.
• Strong written and spoken English communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in an asynchronous, globally distributed organization.
• Previous experience working remotely is advantageous but not essential.
• Experience managing payroll operations specifically across Australia and/or New Zealand is highly relevant to the role.

• Fully remote working environment with the flexibility to work from anywhere within the eligible location.
• Flexible working hours within an asynchronous operating model, allowing you to organize your schedule around your life.
• Flexible paid time off.
• 16 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Budget for coworking spaces, professional learning, wellness activities, and gym memberships.
• Mental health support services.
• Stock options.
• Home-office budget and IT equipment.
• Globally distributed and diverse working environment with colleagues across multiple continents.
• Strong emphasis on employee autonomy, ownership, work-life balance, and proactive decision-making.
• Opportunities for career growth and internal mobility within a global organization.
• Compensation designed around location, role level, skills, experience, and local market conditions, with a stated annual salary range of USD $46,500–$104,650 for the full-time position.
• Inclusive workplace culture committed to equal opportunity, belonging, and representation across different backgrounds and experiences.