Payroll Manager

APM Group, a provider across health and human services with a range of brands, is seeking a Payroll Manager to take the lead on payroll across Australia and New Zealand. The role is onsite in West Perth, on a 12-month fixed-term contract with the potential for extension. It’s a solid fit for someone who wants real impact, enjoys tackling complex payroll challenges, and values ongoing process improvement and service excellence. The company is looking for a confident payroll leader who can partner with People & Culture, Finance and Technology teams as well as external providers to keep payroll running smoothly.

As Payroll Manager, you’ll own the end-to-end payroll process for multiple entities and pay groups, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time while staying compliant with relevant legislation, tax rules and employment obligations across both countries. You’ll oversee payroll governance, handle escalations and tricky payroll scenarios, and guide a team of payroll professionals to support capability development and workforce planning. It’s a role built for someone who wants to raise standards and drive reliable, compliant payroll operations.

Day-to-day rhythm of the role

You’ll lead the complete payroll cycle across Australia and New Zealand, across several entities and pay groups, focusing on accuracy, timeliness and compliance. You’ll manage complex payroll issues, including off-cycle payments, corrections, reconciliations and remediation activities, while ensuring strong governance and control frameworks are in place. You’ll direct a payroll team, helping with coaching, capability development and succession planning, and you’ll maintain close partnerships with stakeholders in People & Culture, Finance and Technology, as well as external providers, to support payroll delivery and organisational change. You’ll monitor payroll performance, service levels with vendors and look for opportunities to optimise processes, automate steps and test system changes before implementation. You’ll also analyse payroll data and feedback to identify ways to improve the service, the employee experience and overall operational outcomes.

What you’ll bring to the table

• Significant experience running payroll operations in a medium-to-large organisation with complexity.
• Strong knowledge of Australian payroll legislation, taxation, superannuation, awards and enterprise agreements, with exposure to New Zealand payroll obligations seen as a plus.
• A proven track record of leading payroll teams and delivering high-volume processing within tight deadlines.
• Experience with payroll controls, reconciliations, governance reporting and audit readiness.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with a knack for resolving intricate payroll issues.
• Solid stakeholder engagement and communication skills, able to influence across functions.
• Experience managing payroll vendors and third-party service providers.
• Advanced abilities in payroll systems, HRIS platforms, Microsoft Excel and reporting tools.
• A history of driving process improvements, system enhancements and payroll transformation initiatives.

• Highly desirable: familiarity with Employment Hero and iChris payroll systems.
• Experience managing payroll operations across both Australia and New Zealand is highly desirable.
• Diploma of Payroll Services, or tertiary qualifications in business, accounting, human resources or a related field (highly regarded).

Pay, benefits and practical details

The role is a 12-month fixed-term contract with the potential for extension and is based onsite in West Perth. APM offers a range of benefits, including work-life balance with no weekend work, the option to purchase additional annual leave, discounted health insurance, novated car leasing options, paid parental leave, service recognition programs, opportunities for career growth across APM’s diverse health and human services brands, ongoing learning and professional development, and a supportive, inclusive workplace culture. APM also emphasises a commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Tips for applicants

Put the most relevant line first on your resume: lead end-to-end payroll across Australia and New Zealand for multiple entities, with governance, controls and a payroll team under your supervision.

Show how you prove the must-have skills by giving concrete examples: describe a time you handled high-volume payroll with strict deadlines, the governance controls you put in place, and how you used your HRIS and Excel skills to deliver accurate results.

Prepare for interviews with stories about resolving escalations and complex payroll issues, including off-cycle payments and reconciliations, and how you partnered with stakeholders to enable organisational change.

Ask a smart question to close: what is the current payroll transformation roadmap and how does the team measure success across Australia and New Zealand?