Payroll Manager

Position Overview
The Payroll Manager is accountable for the end‑to‑end delivery of payroll across the group, ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely payment of employees and associated statutory obligations.
This is a critical control role within the organisation, requiring a high degree of technical expertise, discretion, judgement, and integrity. The Payroll Manager plays a key role in safeguarding employee trust, meeting regulatory obligations, and supporting the broader finance and people functions in a highly regulated wealth management environment.
This role is located in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Primary Responsibilities
End‑to‑End Payroll Ownership
Own and manage the full payroll lifecycle across all entities, including monthly/fortnightly payroll processing, commission/bonus payments, off‑cycle payments, allowances, terminations, and adjustments
Ensure payroll is processed accurately, on time, and in accordance with employment contracts, awards, enterprise agreements, and legislation
Act as the primary point of accountability for payroll outcomes across the group
Provide trusted payroll advice to senior leaders and the People & Culture team
Respond to complex payroll queries with professionalism, clarity, and discretion
Compliance, Risk & Governance
Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation and regulatory requirements, including:
PAYG withholding
Superannuation (including Payday Super readiness)
Payroll tax
Fair Work Act and applicable awards
Maintain strong internal controls, audit trails, and segregation of duties within payroll processes
Proactively identify and mitigate payroll, compliance, and operational risks
Support internal and external audits and respond to payroll‑related findings
Systems, Data & Process Excellence
Own payroll systems (currently Employment Hero, potentially migrating to Workday) and data integrity, including configuration, testing, upgrades, and process improvements
Partner with Focus Finance, People & Culture, and external providers to optimise payroll efficiency and accuracy
Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance controls, automation, reporting, and employee experience
Reporting & Insights
Deliver accurate payroll reporting, reconciliations, and journals for month‑end and year‑end processes
Support financial reporting requirements, including provisions, accruals, and cost analysis
Provide insights on payroll trends, risks, and improvement opportunities
Qualifications
Proven experience managing payroll end‑to‑end in a medium organisation
Proven experience operating in a matrix structure
Experience within financial services, professional services, or other regulated environments is a must
Strong knowledge of payroll systems and reporting tools, preferrable Employment Hero, Workday and ADP
Relevant tertiary qualifications in Accounting, Finance, Payroll, or related discipline (preferred)
Membership of a professional payroll association (e.g. APA) desirable
Deep technical expertise in Australian payroll legislation and compliance
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About Focus Partners Australia
Focus Partners Australia, the Australian business unit of Focus Partners, offers integrated capabilities in wealth advice, accounting, lending, insurance and related services from its offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Guided by a client-first ethos, Focus Partners Australia leverages the global expertise, platforms and capital strength of Focus Financial Partners to deliver holistic, fiduciary guidance across strategic planning, portfolio management, insurance, credit and tax. By fusing local insight with world-class resources, Focus Partners Australia helps its clients protect, grow and transition their wealth at every life stage.