Senior Manager Payroll Services
Continuing full-time appointment
Professional Level 10 – annual salary up to $147,782 pa
Plus 17% superannuation and 6 weeks annual leave
Casuarina Campus, Larrakia Country
About the position
Charles Darwin University (CDU) is seeking an experienced Senior Manager Payroll Services to lead the delivery of accurate, efficient, and compliant payroll services across the University.
In this senior role, you will lead the payroll function end-to-end, ensuring compliance with legislation, enterprise agreements, superannuation, and taxation requirements. You’ll provide leadership in payroll governance, audit, and risk management, embedding accountability, transparency, and best practice across all payroll operations.
About you
We’re looking for a strategic leader with:
• Demonstrated leadership capability with proven experience managing a payroll or HR operations team in a complex organisation, including driving a culture of accountability, compliance, continuous improvement, and service excellence.
• Expert knowledge of payroll-related legislation, governance, and compliance.
• Expertise in HRIS administration, audit trails, and system integrity.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to provide expert, confidential, and customer-focused payroll and legislative advice to a diverse stakeholder group, with a strong focus on integrity, discretion, and accountability.
At CDU, we value diversity, integrity, and innovation. This is your opportunity to shape payroll operations, drive continuous improvement, and contribute to a supportive, high-performing culture.
Remuneration
Appointment to this role will be at a Professional Employee Level 10.
Base salary range: $133,156 - $147,782 per annum.
Total remuneration package: $155,792 - $172,904 per annum, including 17% superannuation.
To view the full position description please click the apply link to be directed to the vacancy on our CDU job site and then click on job attachments.
First Nations Priority Recruitment Measures
The vacancy is open to all applicants however CDU is committed to increasing representation of First Nations employees across our university. First Nations applicants are strongly encouraged to apply and will be granted priority consideration for this vacancy. Our First Nations Priority Recruitment measures are in accordance with s57 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1992 (NT) 1992.
More information on First Nations Priority Recruitment at CDU and how to apply is available here.
What’s in it for you?
• An enviable lifestyle in the spectacular Northern Territory
• 17% superannuation
• Six weeks of paid annual leave
• Up to 26 weeks of paid primary care giver leave (eligibility criteria apply)
• Recognition of prior service with another Australian university / NT Government for long service leave (recognition applied to qualifying period only)
• Work with a university committed to changing people’s lives for the better through training, education, and research
• Opportunities for professional development, paid study, and career progression
• Ability to negotiate transfer of all leave entitlements under the Public Employment (Mobility) Act 1989
• Free on-campus parking in designated areas
• Employee Assistance Program
• Salary packaging opportunities
How to apply
All applications must be received online via the ‘apply’ button and should include your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest in the role and relevant skills and experience.
For a confidential discussion about the position please contact Peta Preo on 08 8946 7114 or email peta.preo@cdu.edu.au
Do you need support?
Adjustments can be made throughout the application and selection process, as well as during employment to support applicants and employees with disability. CDU’s Workplace Adjustment Policy and Procedure can be found at https://policies.cdu.edu.au/view-current.php?id=191&version=1
. If you would like to discuss adjustments, please contact the People Services Team on 08 8946 6284 or email peopleservices@cdu.edu.au
Diversity and inclusion
At CDU we actively celebrate our diversity. We innovate, embrace new ideas, and act with courage and kindness. We’re about what we can give to the world rather than what we take, and we believe in the transformative power of education. We work hard to make sure every member of our University community feels they truly belong. Understanding that it is through our focus on our people and leveraging our differences that will make CDU the most connected university in Australia, we are striving to ensure that our culture and our community are inclusive of all our staff, students, and visitors. We are committed to maintaining a culture where everyone feels respected, safe, encouraged to speak up and supported in achieving their professional goals. Applications from First Nations people, women at all levels, culturally and racially marginalised people, people with disability, neurotypical and neurodiverse people, LGBTQIA+ people, people with family and caring responsibilities and people at all stages of their careers are welcomed.
You make CDU. And we want you to be exactly who you are.
Applications close: Tuesday 21st October 2025
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