Payroll Team Lead

Melbourne CBD Permanent AU$125,000 - AU$132,000 per year View Job Description
Ready to lead a payroll team that is supported by best-in-class systems, exceptional leadership, and genuine workplace flexibility? This is your opportunity to join a high-performing government organisation where people are valued, innovation is encouraged, and your leadership will make a real impact.
  • Excellent remuneration
  • Fantastic WFH flexibility

About Our Client

Our client is a highly respected government organisation with a reputation for operational excellence, innovation, and investing heavily in its people.

This is an organisation where continuous improvement isn't just a buzzword, it's embedded in the culture. Significant investment is being made across systems, technology, and process optimisation, including major payroll and workforce technology projects currently underway.

You'll be joining a team renowned for its collaborative culture, genuinely supportive people, and strong leadership. Reporting to an exceptional manager who is passionate about developing their team, you'll have the opportunity to contribute strategically while maintaining a healthy work-life balance through market-leading flexibility and employee benefits.

Some of the benefits include:

  • Hybrid working arrangements and genuine flexibility
  • Choice of start and finish times
  • 9-day fortnight after successful completion of probation
  • Regular salary increases
  • Strong professional development opportunities
  • Exposure to large-scale systems and transformation projects
  • A highly supportive and people-focused culture

Job Description



As the Payroll Team Lead, you will lead a specialist team responsible for the end-to-end management of workers compensation payroll and associated payment processes.

This is a unique role that sits at the intersection of payroll, WorkCover, leadership, compliance, and continuous improvement. You'll oversee complex payroll calculations, support injured employees through critical stages of their recovery journey, and ensure payments are delivered accurately and compassionately.

The organisation manages WorkCover payroll calculations internally, providing an opportunity to utilise and further enhance your subject matter expertise in this highly specialised area.

You'll also play a key role in several exciting transformation initiatives, including ongoing SAP SuccessFactors ECP implementation activities, and the broader rollout and expansion of UKG workforce management capabilities across the business.

Beyond leading the team, you'll have opportunities to contribute to the wider payroll function and broader operational improvement initiatives.

  • Lead, coach, mentor, and develop a team of payroll specialists
  • Oversee end-to-end WorkCover payroll administration and payment processing
  • Manage complex workers compensation calculations, including PIAWE determinations
  • Ensure payroll accuracy, compliance, and governance across multiple systems
  • Provide expert advice on workers compensation payroll legislation and obligations
  • Lead insurance reconciliation and recovery processes
  • Monitor expenditure, forecasting, and financial performance of WorkCover-related payments
  • Support return-to-work outcomes through proactive stakeholder engagement
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives across payroll processes and systems
  • Partner closely with HR, injury management, finance, unions, and operational stakeholders
  • Contribute to broader payroll projects and transformation initiatives

The Successful Applicant

  • Extensive payroll leadership experience within a large, complex environment
  • Experience in WorkCover payroll administration and workers compensation legislation
  • Experience managing payroll within highly unionised workplaces and complex industrial environments
  • Demonstrated ability to navigate grievance processes and sensitive employee matters
  • Experience leading teams through change, improvement, and transformation initiatives
  • Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills
  • A calm, resilient, and solutions-focused leadership style
  • A genuine passion for mentoring, coaching, and developing others



What's on Offer

  • 9 day fortnight with full pay following probation
  • Up to $132,000 + super
  • Influence operational excellence initiatives
  • Lead through major technology and system improvements
  • Partner with experienced and supportive leaders
  • Develop your profile in a highly visible function
  • Make a meaningful difference to employees during important moments in their working lives



Contact
Jonathan Dawson
Quote job ref
JN-072026-7074706
Phone number
+(61) 415142246

Job summary

Function
Accounting & Finance
Specialisation
Payroll
Industry
Not For Profit
Location
Melbourne CBD
Job Type
Permanent
Consultant name
Jonathan Dawson
Consultant phone
+(61) 415142246
Job Reference
JN-072026-7074706

Diversity & Inclusion at Michael Page

We don't just accept difference - we celebrate it. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply for this role and are committed to building inclusive, diverse workplaces where everyone can thrive. If you require any support or reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. Michael Page acknowledge and pay our respects to the Traditional Custodians of the land we operate on.