Assistant Manager OR Manager Payroll

Job Title: Assistant Manager / Manager Payroll Australia

Location: Goregaon East, Mumbai

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Assistant Manager / Manager to oversee end-to-end payroll processing for our Australian workforce. The role requires a thorough understanding of Australian payroll compliance, benefits administration, and local taxation. The ideal candidate will have extensive payroll experience (Gross to Net Calculations), payroll transition and transformation expertise, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to collaborate across teams while working in the Australia shift. This role will be pivotal in ensuring seamless integration, compliance, and operational excellence across SAP SuccessFactors, Etivity (Time & Attendance system), and related interfaces.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Operations & Compliance

• Manage full-cycle payroll processing for employees in Australia, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
  • Act as a backup for payroll functions, including processing new hires, timesheets, payroll changes, and terminations.
  • Review payroll simulations with the coordinator prior to final submission; ensure accurate entry of employee hours in timesheets.
  • Reconcile payroll deductions, taxable benefits, and insurance provider bills monthly.
  • Process adjustments, retroactive payments, and calculate taxable benefits.
  • Perform benefit reconciliations for terminated employees.
  • Maintain and monitor vacation balances and accruals; liaise with HR to resolve discrepancies.
  • Record and track time off in lieu balances.
  • Ensure payroll reporting and compliance with local laws, internal policies, procedures, and client agreements.
  • Ensure Payroll JV / Accounting is complete and accurate within stipulated timelines.
  • Maintain and enhance internal controls, checks, and balances for payroll processing, data management, and audit readiness.

Transition & Change Management

• Lead and manage payroll transition activities to ensure smooth handovers without disruptions.
  • Develop and document transition plans, timelines, and risk mitigation strategies in collaboration with stakeholders.
  • Champion payroll-related change initiatives by actively supporting business improvement efforts and applying structured change management techniques.
  • Develop contingency plans to mitigate payroll risks and ensure business continuity.

Reporting, Forecasting & Policy Development

• Support budgeting and forecasting processes for payroll costs.
  • Analyse financial data against budgets and projections to identify and report issues to senior management.
  • Assist in the development and refinement of policies and procedures related to staff remuneration, salary packaging, and payroll governance.
  • Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate payroll accuracy, timeliness, compliance, and service quality.
  • Proactively gather feedback from internal stakeholders and clients to assess payroll service delivery and initiate improvements.

Benefits Administration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Assist in the development of new compensation and benefit policies, remuneration packages, and facilitate information sessions for employees.
  • Respond to employee benefit inquiries and conduct benefits sessions for new hires in collaboration with HR.
  • Serve as the primary contact for administrative matters with insurance providers, auditors, and external partners.
  • Enrol and terminate employees on insurance plans; maintain accurate records for enrolments, eligibility, waiting periods, and work permit expiries.
  • Update employee records for dependents, family status, beneficiaries, salary, contract versions, and name changes.
  • Manage company superannuation and ensure periodical audits are completed on payments and employee setups.

Team Leadership & Development

• Coach and mentor payroll team members to strengthen their technical capabilities and operational efficiency.
  • Foster a collaborative and high-performance work culture.
  • Effectively manage interpersonal dynamics, resolve conflicts, and build strong working relationships across teams and geographies.

Must Have

• Minimum 710 years of overall payroll experience.
  • At least 5+ years experience with SAP systems (e.g., ECC or SuccessFactors) in end-to-end payroll processing for Australia, ideally within a service industry.
  • Strong understanding of statutory compliance, payroll legislation, and various benefit plans applicable in Australia.
  • Knowledge of local taxation relevant to employees and ability to address queries related to payroll, taxation, superannuation, and benefits.
  • Proficiency in Excel with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
  • Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills; hands-on in day-to-day operations with effective delegation capabilities.
  • Ability to adhere to health, safety, and environmental quality standards, policies, and procedures; effectively manage incidents and hazards.
  • Consistent ability to meet deadlines, accuracy levels, and turnaround time for all payroll-related activities.
  • Demonstrated attention to detail, planning, achievement orientation, and ability to incorporate stakeholder feedback to improve service delivery while fostering open and respectful dialogue.

Nice to Have

• Understanding of the local language and familiarity with HR practices.
  • Prior experience with payroll systems such as SAP SuccessFactors Payroll Module or ADP.

Working Hours : This role operates in the Australia shift, typically from 5:00 PM to 2:00 AM IST to align with Australian business hours.

Reporting To : APAC Payroll Tower Lead