Payroll Specialist

The Finance team, led by the Acting Chief Financial Officer, exists to support the strategic and financial aims of the Institute through the regular planning, controlling and reporting of the financial operations including the Garvan Research Foundation (GRF) and Australian Bioresources (ABR).

The Payroll team, embedded within the Finance team, play a distinct and important role in supporting the financial aspects of Garvan. The Payroll function is responsible for monthly payruns for all of Garvan, as well as fortnightly payment for casual employees, and all associated queries. Garvan use ADP Payroll, and Workday Financials systems.

Garvan is undertaking a transition from monthly to fortnightly payroll processing. This project is intended to go-live in late 2025.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Payroll Specialist will be responsible for supporting the Payroll Manager in delivering accurate and timely payroll services while acting as the second-in-charge (2IC) for the payroll function. This role will also play a pivotal part in the pay frequency change project, ensuring appropriate project planning and smooth implementation, communication, and alignment.

Salary: $110,000 + 11.5% super + salary packaging

Employment Type: Full time 6 month contract

SNAPSHOT OF BENEFITS- Generous salary packaging to save you income tax on your wages thereby boosting your monthly take home pay (max. $15,900 general expenses + $2,650 meals/accom)- Ample opportunities for on-going training and development- Stimulating, diverse and highly international research environment- Flexible work arrangements e.g. start / finish times- 18 weeks paid parental leave for both parents including paid superannuation- A range of additional leave types to meet your personal needs including cultural leave, conference leave, community service and study leave- Discounted Health Insurance- Lifestyle discounts with our community partners

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Payroll Processing and Compliance- Daily payroll data integration from Workday to ADP- End-to-end payroll processing in an accurate and timely manner, in line with agreed schedules and policies, including preparing payroll reports- Perform payroll administration and maintain the payroll system with up to date employee records- PAYG and superannuation processing and reconciliations- Maintain Parental leave including Government Paid Parental leave payments- Respond to payroll questions and support the Payroll Manager in preparing reconciliations and reports to support queries- Monitor and maintain internal controls, including keeping documentation up to date- Act as the 2IC to the Payroll Manager during periods of absence

Pay Frequency Change Project Support- Collaborate with the project team to plan and execute the transition to the new pay frequency.-
- Assist in the analysis of current pay cycles and identify potential risks and impacts on employees.- Support the development of communication materials to inform employees about the changes in pay frequency.- Conduct payroll testing to ensure the accuracy of new pay cycles and resolve any discrepancies.- Monitor project timelines and provide regular updates to the Payroll Manager and stakeholders.

Continuous Improvement & Compliance- Identify opportunities for process improvement within payroll operations and propose solutions to enhance efficiency and accuracy.- Stay up-to-date with relevant payroll legislation, award changes, and industry best practices.- Contribute to the development and maintenance of payroll procedures and documentation.

ABOUT YOU

The key skills and experience include:
- Proven experience in end-to-end payroll processing, ideally within a large or complex organisation.- Demonstrated experience as a 2IC or senior payroll officer with leadership or project support responsibilities.-
- Experience in Project Management- Excellent communication skills, with experience in stakeholder engagement and change management.- Understanding of the not-for-profit sector, including salary packaging arrangements would be considered advantageous- Exposure to Workday and ADP systems required- Highly proficient computer skills- Ability to prioritise tasks and work to deadlines- Demonstrates proactive problem-solving by taking the lead in identifying areas for improvement and suggesting innovative solutions- Team player who Demonstrates strong collaboration skills by working effectively with colleagues across various departments to achieve common goals.

ABOUT GARVAN

Garvan Institute of Medical Research is an independent Medical Research Institute (MRI) in Sydney, delivering scientific and clinical impact on a global basis and in partnership with organisations that share our vision. We are proud to be one of Australia’s largest and most highly regarded MRI’s.

Our vision is global leadership in discoveries to impact and our enduring purpose is to impact human health, by harnessing information encoded in our genome.

We seek to see our world-class disco