Payroll Team Leader - FT - AU

Seeking an experienced Senior Payroll Team Leader to oversee offshore payroll operations supporting a fast-paced labour hire business, managing high-volume payroll processing and leading a team of payroll professionals.

Location: United States

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end processing of approximately 2,000+ weekly pays for casual and fixed-term employees.
• Ensure payroll is processed accurately and on schedule each pay cycle.
• Monitor payroll workflows, deadlines, and service levels to maintain operational excellence.
• Review payroll exceptions, adjustments, back pays, terminations, and complex payroll calculations.
• Ensure accurate interpretation of awards, enterprise agreements, client-specific pay rules, overtime, allowances, and penalty rates.
• Manage payroll reconciliations and reporting requirements.
• Maintain payroll records in accordance with company policies and legislative requirements.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 6 payroll officers.
• Allocate workloads and resources effectively to meet payroll deadlines.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, coaching sessions, and training programs.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and customer service.
• Manage team rostering and coverage to ensure uninterrupted payroll operations.
• Ensure payroll processes comply with relevant employment legislation, taxation requirements, superannuation obligations, and labour hire regulations.
• Identify and mitigate payroll risks through robust controls and quality assurance processes.
• Maintain payroll audit readiness and support internal and external audits.
• Monitor legislative changes and implement required process updates.
• Act as the primary escalation point for complex payroll enquiries.
• Work closely with operations, finance and client service teams.
• Provide timely and professional responses to employee and management payroll queries.
• Deliver payroll reporting and operational insights to senior management.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll efficiency, accuracy, and automation.
• Develop and document standard operating procedures and best practices.
• Lead payroll projects, system enhancements, and process improvement initiatives.
• Drive KPI reporting and continuous improvement programs.

Requirements

• Significant Australian payroll experience in a high-volume environment.
• Minimum 3+ years' experience leading payroll teams.
• Experience within labour hire, recruitment, workforce management, or staffing industries.
• Knowledge of modern awards and labour hire compliance requirements.
• Experience with workforce management and time & attendance systems.
• Advanced payroll system experience.
• Strong Microsoft Excel and reporting skills.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.