Payroll Lead

Role Purpose

Based in our Cheltenham office, as the Payroll SME you will play a key role in a dedicated pay project, ensuring historical payroll data is reviewed, analysed and corrected in line with legislative, industrial and contractual obligations.

Using deep payroll/SCHADs Award knowledge and strong analytical skills, you will lead the payroll stream of the project, liaising with internal teams and third-party advisors to ensure the delivery of accurate, compliant and fair pay outcomes for employees and the organisation.

Ability Plus Disability Service
s is dedicated to empowering people with disabilities to live their best lives. We provide personalised support, tailored programs, and meaningful opportunities that promote independence, inclusion, and wellbeing. At Ability Plus, we believe everyone deserves respect, choice, and the chance to thrive in their community.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the payroll stream of the remediation project, ensuring alignment with overall project timelines and governance.
• Working in conjunction with a third-party provider to review historical payroll transactions, award/enterprise agreement interpretations and system configurations to identify and resolve errors and gaps in data.
• Collaborate with data analysts, HR, and finance teams to validate detailed calculations of underpayments or overpayments to ensure accuracy.
• Provide expert advice on payroll legislation, tax, superannuation and compliance requirements (award/enterprise agreement interpretation).
• Develop and document payroll validation processes, assumptions and decisions.
• Endorse and validate calculation methodologies proposed by third-party advisors.
• Ensure remediation approaches are consistent, transparent, and auditable.
• Assist in the design and testing of system corrections to prevent recurrence of errors.
• Prepare reports, summaries, and briefings for senior management, auditors, regulators and unions (as required).
• Support employee communications by explaining remediation outcomes in clear, accurate language.
• Contribute to strengthening payroll governance, controls and ongoing compliance including supporting the design, testing and implementation of payroll system corrections and process improvements.

Key Deliverables

• Accurate calculation and validation of historical payroll corrections.
• Documented pay methodologies and decision logs.
• Clear reports for stakeholders, regulators, and employees.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and effective collaboration with third-party partners.
• Recommendations for long-term payroll compliance and system/process improvements.

What you'll Bring

• Extensive experience in payroll operations and/or payroll-related projects.
• Deep knowledge of the payroll compliance and the payment obligations within industrial awards/agreements (specifically SCHADS).
• Demonstrated experience in managing or contributing to payroll audit or compliance projects.
• Advanced Excel with data interpretation, analysis and reconciliation skills.
• High attention to detail and accuracy in complex calculations.
• Excellent problem-solving and reasoning skills.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and vendor management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to document and explain technical payroll issues to non-technical audiences.