As the Principal Payroll Advisor (Payroll Technical), you will lead a specialist team responsible for delivering accurate, timely and compliant payroll services for one of Queensland's largest government departments. You will provide technical leadership, oversee critical payroll processes, manage risk and compliance, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. If you enjoy solving complex payroll challenges, developing team capability and improving service delivery, this is an excellent prospect to influence payroll excellence while advancing your leadership career.

About the Team

Payroll Services plays a critical role in ensuring the accurate and timely payment of employees across the Department of Transport and Main Roads. The team is committed to delivering high-quality payroll services through strong governance, risk management, capability development and continuous improvement. As part of an exciting period of transformation, Payroll Services is expanding the use of automation, enhancing customer support and implementing innovative solutions to strengthen operational performance and service delivery.

Benefits:

At TMR, our vision is Connected communities in a sustainable, thriving and inclusive Queensland. We offer a supportive and inclusive workplace where you can grow your career while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. We value diversity and encourage applicants from all backgrounds and life experiences to apply. TMR is committed to reconciliation and creating a workplace that empowers Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples to thrive.

About the Role:





As the Principal Payroll Advisor (Payroll Technical), you will lead a specialist payroll technical team responsible for delivering accurate, timely and compliant payroll services across the department. You will provide technical leadership and oversight of payroll operations, ensure the integrity and quality of payroll processing while supporting continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Key responsibilities include:

- Leading and mentoring a payroll technical team, providing direction, support and specialist payroll expertise.
- Managing payroll quality, accuracy and compliance across payroll processing activities.
- Overseeing critical pay-run activities and controls to ensure payroll outcomes are delivered reliably and within required timeframes.
- Developing and maintaining payroll procedures, work instructions and guidance materials to support consistency and accountability.
- Delivering training, coaching and technical advice to strengthen payroll capability and quality standards across the team.
- Monitoring compliance with legislation, industrial instruments, policies and procedures and implementing changes to maintain compliant payroll practices.
- Identifying opportunities to improve payroll processes,



controls and governance arrangements to support risk management and audit readiness.
- Building productive stakeholder relationships and providing specialist payroll advice to support informed decision-making and service delivery outcomes.
- Driving innovation, process improvement initiatives and payroll-related projects to enhance service quality and operational effectiveness.

Skills & Experience:

To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate:

- Extensive experience managing complex payroll (or equivalent) operations within a large organisation, ideally within a SAP or similar environment.
- Strong knowledge, or the ability to quickly develop expertise in payroll legislation, industrial instruments, compliance obligations and organisational policies.
- Proven leadership capability, with experience developing, coaching and motivating high-performing teams.
- Expertise in payroll or similar systems, controls, data integrity, statutory reporting and audit requirements.
- Exceptional organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities in a complex environment.
- A proactive and innovative approach, with a commitment to continuous improvement, stakeholder engagement and service excellence.

Mandatory Requirements:

- Due to this role having access to sensitive information, a criminal history check will be undertaken prior to appointment to the role.

Applications to remain current for 12 months.

Job Ad Reference: QLD/697363/26

Closing Date: Monday, 24 August 2026

📌 Principal Payroll Advisor (Payroll Technical) (Brisbane)
🏢 Department of Transport & Main Roads QLD
📍 Brisbane