Sydney I $0.00 - $190,179.00 Annual I Full Time

Head of Payroll | Enterprise Leadership Role | $180–190k + Super + Bonus

We’re partnering with a well-established, nationally recognised organisation to appoint a Head of Payroll to lead a large, multi-layered payroll function through a key period of transition and team evolution.

Based in Sydney CBD with hybrid flexibility, this is a senior leadership role focused on driving performance, structure and accountability across a payroll team of ~10, including experienced team leaders.

This is less about systems and more about people leadership, structure and uplift — ideal for someone who can step in, take ownership, and bring clarity and direction to an established function.

The Role

Reporting into senior leadership within Shared Services, you will be responsible for:

Leading a layered payroll structure, managing team leaders across a broader team
Taking ownership of payroll operations across a large, complex workforce environment
Driving consistency, accountability and performance across the function
Supporting the team through a leadership transition, ensuring stability and continuity
Strengthening processes, controls and ways of working
Partnering with HR, Finance and senior stakeholders across the business
Providing guidance on EBAs, Awards and payroll legislation
Balancing oversight with the ability to step in when required

About You

You’re a confident and experienced payroll leader who knows how to lead leaders, not just process payroll.

You will bring:

Proven experience managing team leaders within a payroll function
Exposure to large, complex payroll environments (EBAs, Awards, high volume)
A clear and adaptable leadership style, with the ability to stabilise and uplift teams
Strong stakeholder engagement skills across senior business leaders
The ability to quickly assess a team, identify gaps, and implement structure
Systems experience across platforms such as SAP, ADP, Kronos or similar (nice to have, not essential)

Why This Role