Transform a payroll function. Influence an organisation. Leave a legacy.
This is a career-defining opportunity for a strategic payroll leader to redesign, modernise and elevate a large national payroll operation, delivering transformational change across people, processes, systems and structure.
Client Details
Our client is a highly regarded Australian organisation recognised for its exceptional employee retention, strong culture and long-standing commitment to investing in its people. With a secure and engaged workforce, the business is now entering a pivotal phase of transformation designed to strengthen capability, modernise operations and position the organisation for long-term success.
Our client is happy to work with the sucessful candidate and offer many WFH days as they'd like per week.
As part of this strategic evolution, the payroll function is undergoing a significant redesign. Backed by senior leadership and dedicated investment, this role will lead the transformation of a sizeable payroll operation, including organisational structure redesign, capability uplift, process improvement and technology enhancement initiatives. The mandate is clear: build a more strategic, skilled and future-ready payroll function that delivers operational excellence while supporting broader business objectives.
This is a rare opportunity for an experienced leader to take ownership of a high-profile transformation agenda and leave a lasting legacy within a well-established organisation.
Description
Reporting to a senior executive leader,



the Head of Payroll will lead a sizeable payroll function of 20+ employees and take ownership of a substantial transformation mandate.
This role requires a strategic and commercially minded leader who can assess the current operating model and design a best-practice payroll function capable of meeting future business demands. You will lead the redesign of team structures, drive capability uplift across the function, oversee major system enhancements and upgrades, and embed a culture of continuous improvement.
While efficiency and productivity outcomes are key objectives, the focus is firmly on creating a higher-performing, more capable payroll team through skills enhancement, process optimisation and organisational redesign.
Key responsibilities include:
Developing and executing the payroll transformation strategy
Leading organisational redesign and workforce planning initiatives within the payroll function
Uplifting team capability, leadership and technical expertise
Driving continuous improvement across payroll processes, governance and controls
Leading payroll technology enhancement projects, including system upgrades and optimisation initiatives




Building a scalable operating model that supports future growth and organisational requirements
Partnering with senior stakeholders to influence strategic decision-making
Ensuring ongoing compliance, risk management and operational excellence across payroll operations
Profile
Proven experience leading large-scale payroll functions within complex national organisations
A strong track record delivering payroll transformation, operating model redesign and change initiatives
Demonstrated success leading teams through periods of significant change and organisational evolution
Experience driving payroll system implementations, upgrades or optimisation programs
Outstanding stakeholder management and executive influencing capabilities
Strategic thinking combined with the ability to execute and deliver outcomes
Strong commercial acumen with a focus on balancing efficiency, risk and employee experience
Job Offer
Oppotunity to WFH as many days per week as you like
Rare opportunity to lead a high-profile transformation program
Significant executive sponsorship and investment behind the payroll function
Large-scale national environment with genuine complexity
Opportunity to reshape team structure, capability and future operating model
Strategic leadership role with substantial visibility and influence
Attractive remuneration package commensurate with the significance of the opportunity
Permanent role
$220,000 - $240,000 package + 15% bonus (potential flex up for an ideal candidate)
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📌 Head Of Payroll (Melbourne)
🏢 @
📍 Melbourne