About the Company Our client is a fast-growing, well-backed business with an expanding footprint across Australia and Asia. Operating in a dynamic, high-growth sector, the business is scaling quickly, with a culture that keeps decision-making fast. This is a genuine chance to build a function from the ground up and shape how the Payroll function operates as it grows.

About the Role This newly created position will establish and lead the payroll function as the business scales its workforce across Australia and Asia. This is as much about building the tools, processes and controls the function needs as it is about running day-to-day payroll delivery. You'll operate in a still-forming systems environment, with the mandate to shape whether payroll is run in-house or outsourced, and to build whatever is required to support that decision.

Duties

Own the end-to-end payroll function — including the in-house vs outsourced decision, systems selection, migration and team build-out

Ensure statutory and Award compliance across all regions,



and establish payroll governance, controls and documentation from the ground up

Develop and present a payroll strategy and roadmap, backed by an evidence-based recommendation on delivery model by region

Prepare payroll reporting for the Head of Finance and leadership, and partner closely with HR and Finance on related queries and projects

Skills & Experience

Proven experience managing multi-country payroll, ideally including Australia and APAC, with strong knowledge of Awards and jurisdictional compliance

Experience managing outsourced payroll providers, with the judgement to assess when in-house delivery makes sense

Track record establishing or uplifting a payroll function in a high-growth or scale-up environment

Commercial, detail-oriented and self-directed, with the confidence to advise senior stakeholders autonomously

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📌 Payroll Manager (Sydney)
🏢 Absolute Executive Recruitment
📍 Sydney