Payroll Project Team Leader

Payroll Project Team Leader

Employment Type: Full Time (35 hours per week)

Duration: Continuing

Remuneration: Level 8 from $127,351 - $143,489 (please note: salary range to increase July 2026) + 17% super + leave loading

Location: UNSW Kensington Campus, NSW (hybrid)

Why Your Role Matters:

At UNSW, we're committed to ensuring every employee is paid accurately, fairly and in line with legislative requirements. As Payroll Project Team Leader, you will play a pivotal role in strengthening payroll compliance, leading critical remediation and improvement initiatives, and helping to build sustainable pay confidence across the University.

Working closely with the Payroll Compliance Manager, you will lead a team of payroll specialists to deliver complex payroll projects, drive governance and reporting activities, and embed best-practice processes that support our people and our purpose.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead payroll project activities, ensuring compliance objectives, reporting requirements and project milestones are delivered successfully.
• Manage complex payroll remediation activities, including claims processing, back-pay calculations and compliance-related adjustments.
• Drive payroll compliance through audits, monitoring activities and risk identification, implementing corrective actions where required.
• Build strong partnerships across Payroll, People & Culture, Employee Relations, Finance and Systems teams to support compliant and effective payroll outcomes.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives, including process enhancements, governance frameworks, system improvements and team capability development.
• Analyse payroll data and performance metrics to provide insights, recommendations and support informed decision-making.
• Provide expert advice on payroll legislation, compliance matters and escalated payroll enquiries.

Who You Are:

You are an experienced payroll professional with strong leadership skills, a passion for compliance, and the ability to navigate complex payroll challenges.

• Relevant payroll qualifications or equivalent experience.
• Extensive knowledge of Australian payroll legislation and compliance requirements.
• Experience leading payroll compliance, remediation or payroll-related projects.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage complex payroll issues and deliver practical solutions.
• Experience with PeopleSoft Payroll - Oracle desirable
• Experience with HRIS platforms and Microsoft Office applications
• Intermediate to advance Excel skills
• Ability to evaluate and adopt emerging AI technologies to drive operational efficiency.
• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail and a commitment to continuous improvement.
• A high level of professionalism and discretion when handling sensitive information.