Payroll Projects and System Lead

Optus is an Australian telecommunications company, delivering more than 11 million services to our customers every day across mobile, broadband and digital solutions.

The Payroll Projects and System Lead plays a pivotal role in leading payroll projects, including the delivery of system-based solutions to support Payroll BAU operations and support the strategic execution of payroll system enhancements. This role is central to driving continuous improvement and transformation projects across the payroll function while ensuring compliance, accuracy, and excellence in payroll delivery. The role sits within Payroll and Governance function under People Services and Delivery, as part of People and Culture (P&C) and works in close partnership with the Payroll Operations, Governance & Compliance, and Payroll Accounting within the Optus Payroll team. The Payroll Projects and System Lead collaborates closely with internal stakeholders and external partners to align systems, processes, and compliance frameworks with business and legislative requirements.

Key Focus Areas:

• Project Leadership: Plan, execute, and manage payroll-related projects, including scope definition, milestone tracking, and effective stakeholder engagement across multiple functions.
• System Enhancements & Issue Resolution: Lead payroll system upgrades, enhancements, and best-practice remediation activities, driven by regulatory changes, audit findings, business requirements, or misalignment with enterprise agreements.
• Documentation & Knowledge Management: Maintain up-to-date documentation of payroll project processes and procedures through the Payroll Knowledge Portal, ensuring consistency and knowledge sharing across the payroll function.
• Compliance Monitoring & Controls: In partnership with Payroll Governance & Compliance, regularly review systems and processes to detect risks, correct deficiencies, and ensure compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements.
• Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement: Work with Payroll Operations to identify process or system-related defects through root cause analysis, implement corrective actions, and drive continuous improvement across the payroll function

Your day to day will consist of:

• Oversee payroll system operations, upgrades, and implementations, ensuring seamless integration with HR, Finance, and business operations.
• Manage the full lifecycle of payroll projects, from business case development to scope definition, delivery, and post-implementation reviews.
• Translate payroll business requirements into technical specifications to support SAP configuration and process optimisation / re-engineering.
• Collaborate closely with IT, People Technology, vendors, and cross-functional stakeholders, to ensure the integrity of the payroll system (SAP/ECP, Spinifex, Time & Attendance) including system enhancements, upgrades, and major system projects,
• Maintain deep expertise in SAP SuccessFactors EC, ECP, PCC, and related integrations. Compliance and Governance Position Description
• Establish and enforce strong governance over system integrity, data quality, segregation of duties, and user access.
• Regularly review systems, procedures, and practices to ensure compliance with legislation and enterprise agreements.
• Take shared ownership of the full lifecycle for all payroll system-related audits. Leadership and Program Management
• Build and maintain effective relationships with Payroll Operations, IT, Finance, People Technology, and external partners.
• Drive transformation and innovation, championing automation and digital solutions to enhance payroll delivery.
• Lead change management for new systems, processes, and integrations.

What You Bring:

Extensive Payroll Operations and Project Experience: Proven track record in leading end-to-end payroll operations, remediation initiatives, and system-based projects in large-scale environment.

• Deep Technical Knowledge of Payroll Systems: Advanced user of SAP Employee Connect Payroll (ECP), and related tools (e.g. Spinifex). Experienced in payroll configuration, data integrity, and process/system integrations.
• Strong Understanding of Australian Payroll Legislation: In-depth knowledge of payroll tax, superannuation, leave entitlements, and enterprise agreements, with demonstrated ability to interpret and apply regulatory requirements.
• Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: Demonstrated ability to use data to identify issues, resolve discrepancies, and drive process improvements and compliance outcomes.
• Project and Change Management Skills: Skilled in planning, executing, and leading payroll system transformations or optimisation projects, with a focus on governance, cross-functional collaboration, and stakeholder alignment.
• Proven governance capability in access control, role design, audit readiness and data integrity.
• Advanced test leadership (strategy, scripts, regression/automation, defect triage, cutover/production verification).
• Strong stakeholder communication; ability to translate between business and technical domains.
• Consulting/vendor management experience within payroll technology ecosystems (preferred)

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive remuneration and employee discounts. Make life easier (and more affordable) with $80 monthly credit and 25% off Optus products and unique shopping discounts with our retail partners.
• Flexible working arrangements with opportunities to work three days in the office, two days remote or home.
• Vibrant and collaborative office campus that includes cafes, convenience store, chill out zones, GP, post office, gym and on-site childcare centre.
• Competitive leave policies, including additional 'Connected’ days to focus on culture, family, health, community, or whatever’s important to you.
• We support growing families with inclusive, carer-neutral paid Parental Leave of up to 16 weeks.
• Direct your own development and build future-ready skills with Optus U’s industry-focused micro-credentials, developed with La Trobe and Macquarie Universities.
• Build meaningful connections through employee-led networks and diversity initiatives including Culture Connect, Elevate Women, Disability Network and Express Yourself (LGBTQIA+).
• Put your wellbeing first with free access to counselling and support services, 24/7 — in-person, by phone, SMS, or video.
• Free Optus bus from Macquarie University Metro Station (every 6-8 minutes); morning and afternoon.

At Optus, we are strengthened by others and that means valuing diversity and saying ‘yes’ to embracing individual differences. We are committed to ensuring that our application process provides an equal employment opportunity to all job seekers, including individuals from diverse gender, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, individuals with a disability, individuals identifying as being part of the LGBTQIA+ community, individuals who may have served in the armed forces or who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. We also want to do our best to make our recruitment process inclusive. If you require any adjustments or accessibility support to participate fairly and equitably in the recruitment process, please email AccessibleRecruitment@optus.com.au or call 1800 309 170. We're here to help. When you contact us, please advise your preferred method of contact, and we will be in touch within 48 hours. #LI-KM1