Senior Payroll Specialist

We are seeking a Senior Payroll Specialist to manage end-to-end Australian payroll operations for approximately 500 shift-based employees across multiple center locations. Operating in a multi-entity environment with complex award structures, this role requires a seasoned payroll professional capable of mastering intricate Employment Hero configurations.

This is a dynamic, high-volume position suited for an agile, detail-oriented specialist who thrives under tight deadlines, takes full ownership of payroll accuracy, and is eager to support a rapidly growing business alongside an expanding payroll team.

Responsibilities:

• Manage end-to-end weekly payroll processes for 10+ entities and over 500 shift-based employees.
• Accurately interpret and execute payroll across multiple Australian Modern Awards, ensuring full compliance with complex shift variations and pay conditions.
• Review timesheets and oversee configuration setups within Employment Hero across multi-site centers.
• Successfully execute End of Financial Year (EOFY) finalizations and reconciliation reporting.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee payroll inquiries, delivering prompt, clear, and professional resolutions.
• Partner with internal stakeholders and accountants to streamline payroll procedures, adapt to complex operational environments, and scale systems for business growth.

Requirements:

• Experience: 5+ years of dedicated, end-to-end Australian payroll experience handling high-volume, multi-entity operations (10+ entities on a weekly cycle).
• System Proficiency: Hands-on experience with Employment Hero, including complex multi-site configurations and timesheet review workflows.
• Compliance Knowledge: Demonstrated expertise in executing Australian EOFY year-end finalizations and reporting.
• Workforce Structure: Proven experience processing payroll for shift-based workforces subject to varied rosters and complex Modern Award conditions.

Preferred:

• Prior experience supporting Australian payroll within the early childhood, education, or multi-site retail/hospitality sectors.
• Background working in scaling offshore or client-servicing delivery environments.
• Exposure to broader accounting, bookkeeping, or financial operations workflows.

What You’ll Bring:

• Accountability & Ownership: High reliability, decisiveness, and absolute transparency in managing payroll integrity.
• Problem-Solving Ability: A high tolerance for complexity and the agility to navigate an intricate payroll setup with a steep learning curve.
• Communication Skills: Clear, empathetic, and effective communication skills to resolve payroll queries and collaborate seamlessly across remote teams.
• Resilience Under Pressure: Exceptional time-management and attention to detail, consistently delivering accurate results within strict deadlines.