Payroll Manager

• Employment Type: Full time continuing role 
• Remuneration: $ k+ 17% super & leave loading 
• Location: Kensington, NSW (On- campus role with hybrid working options)  

As Payroll Manager you will lead the team to deliver accurate, efficient and compliant payroll outcomes that are aligned with pay agreements and strategies at UNSW. 

Building trusted and sustainable pay confidence across the University, your role will set and govern payroll policies for the payroll function, implementing systems and frameworks that lift service quality and safeguards compliance. 

Working in close partnership with the wider P&C team, you'll embed payroll efficiency and compliance to support organisational planning and decision-making. Bringing a strategic lens to payroll, this is an opportunity to develop and lead a high performing team, shape strategy, and make a lasting impact on pay confidence at UNSW. 

Key focuses of your role include: 

• Leading the development of a high-performing payroll team, embedding capability and enterprise-level pay knowledge. 
• Overseeing and delivering a compliant and timely fortnightly and ad hoc payroll for all UNSW staff cohorts (including casuals), ensuring data integrity, operational efficiency, and adherence to relevant legislation, tax obligations, and professional and academic enterprise agreements. 
• Strengthening pay confidence across the University embedding service standards and closing procedural gaps. 
• Setting, governing and embedding payroll policies, systems, and frameworks for your team. 
• Reporting to P&C leadership on payroll operations, risks, compliance and strategic improvements, contributing to budget planning and workforce cost forecasting.  

This role reports to the Head of People Services and managing three direct reports across payroll processing and superannuation and benefits. 

Who you are: 
As an experienced payroll leader, you will be confident in leading a team across a large and complex organisation, with the confidence to deliver sharp insights, data analysis, and recommendations that shape strategy, budgets, and workforce planning. You will hold the following skills and experience: 

• Relevant tertiary qualification, CPS or Certificate IV in Payroll Administration, with subsequent relevant experience or equivalent competence gained through any combination of education, training and experience.
• Extensive and in-depth knowledge of Australian payroll legislation and reporting requirements.
• Experience interpreting and applying Enterprise Agreement (EA) requirements to organisational processes and policies. 
• Strong knowledge of training and support requirements.
• Proven ability to lead and manage teams in high-pressure environments, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, responsive services and fostering collaboration to meet organisational goals, including establishing and implementing team performance measures. 
• Extensive experience embedding new processes within large, complex organisations, driving cultural and procedural change, and ensuring sustainable adoption.  
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with expertise in interpreting data, identifying trends, and implementing process, procedure, or policy improvements to support compliance and operational excellence.  
• Effective communication with internal and external stakeholders, including the ability to explain payroll concepts in a clear, simple and pleasant manner.  
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective stakeholder relationships, incorporating feedback to improve services and align with organisational priorities.  
• Strong commitment to client service excellence, including the ability to set team priorities and ensure alignment with organisational goals.  
• Proficient in Oracle payroll (preferred) and HRIS products.
• Strong knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office products  
• High attention to detail and level of accuracy while working in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.

For further information on the role & responsibilities, please refer to the position description found on . 

How to Apply:
Please apply online via our candidate portal, submitting the following documents to confirm your interest:

- CV
- Cover letter detailing your suitability for the job (as per the skills & experience bullet points in the position description)
- Complete the skills questionnaire.

Applications close Sunday 7th December, 11:55pm.  
Please note: Sponsorship is not available for this role, valid Australian working rights are required on application. 

UNSW Benefits and Culture: People are at the core of everything we do. We recognise it is the contributions of our staff who make UNSW one of the best universities in Australia and the world. Our benefits include:  

• Flexible Working Options (work from home, flexible hours etc)  
• Additional 3 days leave during December festive period. 
• Career development opportunities  
• Up to 50% discount on UNSW courses 
• Flexible 17% Superannuation contributions, additional leave-loading payments and salary sacrifice. 
• Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness passport) 

Job queries contact: Katherine Molloy, Talent Acquisition Consultant 
E:   (applications to the address cannot be accepted, please apply online) 

UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.