Payroll Team Leader

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Team Leader to manage end‑to‑end payroll operations in a fast‑paced environment. You will work closely with HR, Finance and external payroll providers to ensure accurate, timely payroll processing while delivering a high‑quality employee experience.

Key responsibilities

• Lead, coach and coordinate a payroll team, ensuring effective workload distribution and continuous improvement.
• Manage the full monthly payroll cycle, including new hires, terminations, salary changes, variable pay, leave administration and statutory deductions.
• Maintain compliance with payroll legislation, tax and social security regulations.
• Reconcile payroll, tax and statutory submissions and ensure all filings are completed on schedule.
• Validate payroll data, uphold payroll controls, and prepare reports for management approval.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll queries, providing professional, customer‑focused service.
• Oversee relationships with external payroll providers, monitoring service levels and accuracy.
• Support month‑end and quarter‑end reporting, including payroll‑related general ledger entries.
• Identify and implement improvements to payroll systems, processes and controls.

Required profile

• Proven payroll experience in a high‑volume, fast‑paced environment.
• Previous experience leading or supervising a payroll team.
• Strong knowledge of local payroll legislation, taxation and social security regulations.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict deadlines.
• High level of accuracy, attention to detail, discretion and confidentiality.

Required skills

• Advanced Microsoft Excel (PivotTables, VLOOKUP, large data sets).
• Experience with payroll systems and HRIS platforms.