Payroll Manager

Payroll Manager

At Wollongong City Council, we continuously strive to create an
Extraordinary Wollongong
. We focus on the delivery of exceptional services, infrastructure and facilities for our community.

Wollongong is a great place to work, live and play
Together, our responsibility is to create an inclusive community where everyone is welcome, valued and belongs. Our strength is the diversity of our people.

We lead with courage, openness and curiosity and believe our employees are the key to our success. Learn more about us here.

The Opportunity

Are you ready to lead, innovate, and make a real impact? As Payroll Manager, you'll lead a diverse dedicated team of 7 payroll professionals through a period of exciting transformation. Wollongong City Council is a large, complex organisation with over 1,800 staff paid weekly-your leadership will be crucial in ensuring our payroll services are seamless, accurate, and future-ready.

This is your chance to work "on the system, not just in it"-championing enhancements and innovation that benefit every employee.

You'll report to the Employment Relations Manager and work closely with Employment Relations Partners, IMT, and Finance, collaborating to deliver best-practice payroll services and drive continuous improvement.

This is a permanent full-time position, salary from: $116,251.58 per annum plus superannuation (Salary package will be assessed based on skills, experience and qualifications)

What you will be doing OR How you'll make a difference

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 7 Payroll professionals to deliver high-quality, customer-focused services for over 1,800 weekly-paid staff.
• Provide expert guidance on superannuation, award interpretation, payroll legislation, and enterprise agreement compliance.
• Drive and imbed continuous improvement initiatives to optimise payroll processes and systems. (Technology one)
• Manage payroll audits and ensure compliance with tax and legal obligations.
• Maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide specialist advice on leave provisions, taxation, superannuation, termination payments, and all other aspects of Payroll.
• Provide project support on Payroll related projects
• Foster a safe, positive, and supportive work environment.

About you

You are a systems-focused payroll expert, passionate about driving innovation and continuous improvement in payroll operations. Your substantial experience in similar roles has equipped you to lead change, optimise processes, and champion enhancements that benefit every employee. You thrive on leveraging technology, implementing new solutions, and ensuring payroll services are future-ready

To succeed in this role, you'll bring extensive experience in Award and Enterprise Agreement interpretation, along with a proven track record of leading payroll teams and building strong relationships across the business. Your high attention to detail, commitment to compliance, and ability to implement change set you apart as a true payroll Manager. Your communication skills enable you to present information clearly to diverse audiences, and your leadership inspires and develops your team to achieve excellence together.

This is your opportunity to step into a leadership role where your systems expertise will be valued, your ideas for innovation will be welcomed, and your ability to lead through change will make a real difference

Why you'll love working at Wollongong City Council

• True work-life balance
• We know you work hard, and we make sure that effort is rewarded with real flexibility. Our hybrid work options, flex-time, and rostered days off mean you can maintain balance while delivering great outcomes.
• Great working conditions
• Enjoy a 35-hour work week or a 9-day fortnight with a regular rostered day off (RDO).
• Career growth and recognition

We are committed to supporting your personal and professional development. Our initiatives include a reward and recognition program, corporate learning opportunities, study assistance, and leadership development programs to help you grow and succeed.

Generous leave provisions

Benefit from five weeks of annual leave per year (pro rata) and access long service leave after just five years.

Health, safety, and wellbeing

We prioritise a safe workplace for everyone, every day, everywhere. Our wellbeing programs support mental, physical and social wellbeing of our people to be at their best and include an Employee Assistance Program, skin and hearing checks, vaccinations, and discounted gym memberships.

A vibrant social culture

Join our Social Club for monthly activities, an annual trivia night, and fantastic Christmas events

Participate and engage in meaningful work, and contribute to our extraordinary community, where together we make a difference.

For more information, click on 'Apply' to be redirected to Wollongong City Council's job vacancy page.

Applications close 11:59pm Monday 27 October 2025

We invite everyone to apply no matter your identity, you'll be welcome. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people who are culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), people with disability and veterans.

Wollongong Council adheres to the principles of a child safe organisation and is committed to the care and protection of all children and young people in the community.

Applicants are required to undergo a rigorous employment screening process which will include Reference, Identity and Medical History Checks, and may also include a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and Working with Children Check. Employment is subject to clearance of all these checks.