Senior Payroll Officer

Senior Payroll Officer

Location- North Fitzroy

Kinetic is Australasia’s largest and most experienced bus operator – and the team behind some of the most trusted names in mass transit. With a strong presence in communities across the country, we are dedicated to moving people and enhancing lives.

Role Purpose

The Senior Payroll Officer is responsible for managing the end-to-end payroll processing function for a large, multi-site workforce. This includes ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, enterprise agreements, and internal policies. The role acts as the subject matter expert for award and EA interpretation and provides oversight to one Payroll Officer (without direct line management). The position also contributes to payroll improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing compliance, automation, and the overall employee experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and process end-to-end weekly and monthly payroll for a complex workforce of over 1,000 employees across multiple sites.
• Ensure accurate processing of salaries, superannuation, PAYG, payroll tax, termination payments, and other entitlements in accordance with employment contracts, Awards, EBAs, and legislative requirements.
• Maintain and update payroll records, including employee details, leave balances, pay adjustments, and terminations.
• Interpret and apply relevant Awards, EBAs, and workplace legislation, acting as the subject matter expert for payroll compliance.
• Provide guidance and support to one Payroll Officer to ensure accuracy in payroll processing.
• Respond to employee payroll queries professionally and in a timely manner.
• Undertake payroll reconciliations and prepare weekly, monthly, and ad hoc reports.
• Assist with internal and external audits by providing relevant payroll data and insights.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of payroll policies, systems, and procedures.
• Support payroll-related month-end processes and annual remuneration reviews, salary packaging, and incentive payments.
• Participate in payroll transformation and continuous improvement projects.

Skills, Qualifications & Experience

Essential:

• 5–7 years’ experience in full function, end-to-end payroll processing within a large, complex organisation (1,000+ employees).
• In-depth knowledge of payroll legislation and strong experience interpreting Awards and Enterprise Agreements.
• Demonstrated experience with high-volume, multi-site payrolls.
• Proficiency in large payroll systems such as Chris21.
• Strong Excel skills and proficiency across the MS Office Suite.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to manage internal and external stakeholder relationships.
• High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to work under pressure, meet tight deadlines, and adapt to evolving business needs.

Desirable:

• Experience supporting payroll transformation initiatives and continuous improvement projects.
• Demonstrated interest in process improvement and enhancing the employee payroll experience.

Why Join Us?

• Work with a passionate and inclusive team in a growing organisation
• Play a key role in delivering safe, efficient and reliable transport services
• Opportunities for career progression and professional development
• Be part of an organisation that genuinely cares for its people and communities

Join Kinetic and be part of something bigger. We’re here to improve lives and we’d love for you to come along for the ride.