Payroll Governance Specialist

• - Salary package: $147,124 – $155,386 (HEW 9) p.a, plus 17% superannuation and annual leave loading
• - Appointment Type: Full-time, 2-year fixed term role
• - Macquarie University, Wallumattagal Campus, North Ryde

Strengthen payroll governance, safeguard compliance and help deliver accurate pay outcomes for thousands of staff

As our Payroll Governance Specialist, you will be the subject matter expert on payroll legislation, compliance and controls within our Human Resources Shared Services team. You will provide expert advice, guide audit and assurance activity, and identify practical opportunities to strengthen payroll risk management and operational effectiveness across the Macquarie University Group.

This is a specialist role with genuine organisational reach. You will work across HR, Finance, IT and faculty operations teams, as well as with internal and external auditors, government agencies and State Revenue Offices, contributing to projects and initiatives that improve how payroll governance is designed and delivered. If you enjoy detailed, high-stakes work where accuracy has a direct and visible impact on people's lives, this role offers that in abundance.

About the Role

Reporting to the Manager, Payroll Services, you will be accountable for the integrity, compliance, governance and continuous improvement of payroll processes and controls. Your responsibilities will include:

Working in partnership with the Manager, Payroll Services, Group Finance and other key stakeholders so payroll processes and controls uphold financial integrity, statutory reporting requirements, audit obligations and organisational risk management objectives.

Ensuring all payroll controls are executed in line with the Payroll Governance Framework.

Confirming payroll operations comply with relevant enterprise agreements, modern awards, employment legislation, taxation obligations, and University policies and procedures.

Verifying that systems are accurately configured and that appropriate access is maintained in accordance with payroll controls (for example Dayforce aPay, Workday, Kronos, document management and banking applications).

Reviewing payroll controls, processes and governance practices on a regular basis to identify risks, progress continuous improvement, and enhance compliance and control effectiveness.

Coordinating internal and external audit activities, including providing information to auditors, reviewing draft audit recommendations and ensuring audit management actions are completed by their due dates.

Preparing regular payroll reports for internal and external stakeholders, including the Audit & Risk Committee and Payroll Governance Committees.

Managing and contributing to payroll projects and governance initiatives, including wage remediation activities encompassing data analysis, root cause analysis, reconciliation calculations, change management, stakeholder communications and process improvement.

Reviewing customer and service performance data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.

Assisting the Manager, Payroll Services and the wider Payroll Services team with strategic and complex operational matters as required.

About Us

This role sits within the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, People and Operations portfolio, which provides executive leadership of Professional Services across the Macquarie University Group. The Shared Services function delivers first-class services to our students and staff, encompassing Admissions & Scholarships, Student Shared Services, Enabling Services, and Corporate Shared Services for Finance, IT and HR. Shared Services is built on solid disciplines including service management, continuous improvement, automation and analytics — and, at its heart, a service culture that enables all staff to deliver optimal outcomes for our customers.

About You

You are an experienced payroll professional who is energised by complexity, detail and getting things right. You understand how governance frameworks, controls and legislation come together in a high-volume payroll environment, and you can translate technical requirements into practical improvements that colleagues across the organisation can adopt. You communicate clearly with auditors, executives and employees alike, and you bring a service mindset to every interaction. Experience applying AI and other emerging technologies to improve payroll control management and operations will be viewed favourably.

Selection Criteria

Relevant tertiary qualifications in business, accounting, human resources or a related discipline, and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience in a payroll specialist position.

Demonstrated experience in complex, high-volume payroll operations involving a diverse range of modern awards and enterprise agreements.

Demonstrated experience establishing, managing and improving payroll governance, controls, risk and assurance frameworks, including managing payroll control and compliance reviews and audits.

Well-developed knowledge of, and demonstrated experience in, compliance with employment legislation and employer obligations including enterprise agreements, modern awards, superannuation, PAYG, payroll tax, Single Touch Payroll and workers compensation.

Demonstrated experience contributing to wage remediation activities and complex payroll calculations, with a high level of accuracy, attention to detail and focus on customer service.

Well-developed problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and insights to improve performance and service outcomes.

Sound technical skills including demonstrated experience using complex HR/Payroll systems (experience with Dayforce aPay and Workday is highly regarded), together with effective stakeholder engagement and communication skills that build productive relationships internally and externally.

How to Apply

To be considered, please apply online with your CV and a cover letter outlining how your experience aligns with the selection criteria (above).

Applications Close: Sunday 18 th of October 2026 at 11:59 pm (AEST).

We reserve the right to progress or decline an application prior to the application closing date.

Applicants must have valid Australian Working Rights.

For enquiries, or a confidential conversation about the role please contact TA Consultant Kate Wiliams - k.williams@mq.edu.au .

Why Join Us?

Macquarie is a university engaged with the real and often complex problems and opportunities that define our lives. Since our foundation over 60 years ago, we have aspired to be a different type of university. Over the years, we have grown to become the centre of a vibrant local and global community. Connect with us today .

We rank amongst the top employers in the Australian Workplace Employers Index. Explore the fantastic benefits available to you when you become part of the team at Macquarie University.

Flexible, hybrid work arrangements

17% Superannuation

Subsidised onsite parking options

Extensive training and professional development programs

Onsite childcare facilities to support working parents

Onsite vacation care during school holidays

Discounted health insurance

Subsidised membership at our Sport & Aquatic Centre

Access to an Employee Assistance Program for free and confidential support

Convenient onsite GP, imaging, and physiotherapy clinics

Pre-Employment Checks

Macquarie University cultivates a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity. Prior to completion of an offer of employment, preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for.

Your employment is conditional upon the completion and maintenance of all role-required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University.

If you're already part of the Macquarie Group (MQ University, U@MQ, M