Payroll Finance and Compliance Manager

It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing!The Payroll Finance & Compliance Manager provides financial control, compliance oversight and business process governance across payroll.

The role is accountable for the integrity of payroll-related financial reporting and reconciliations, statutory payroll compliance, payroll budgeting and forecasting, audit and risk management, payroll system and process governance, and the financial administration of employee share and deferred remuneration arrangements.The role provides robust financial and compliance oversight over payroll outputs, identifies and addresses control and compliance risks, and drives continuous improvement through robust controls, data analytics, documented processes and effective system-change governance.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONRelevant three-year bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Finance, Accounting or a related discipline.A relevant professional finance, accounting, tax or payroll qualification will be advantageous.Training or a qualification in business systems and/or project management will be advantageous. MINIMUM EXPERIENCEMinimum 7 years' relevant experience in a complex payroll environment, including significant experience across payroll finance, compliance and systems, with at least 5 years' management experience.Experience in a listed, regulated or large retail environment will be advantageous.Exposure to employee share schemes, deferred remuneration, retention incentives and share-based payment reporting will be advantageous.

TECHNICAL SKILLSAdvanced payroll finance, accounting, general ledger reconciliation and financial reporting capability.Working knowledge of payroll tax, employer submissions, retirement funding and statutory compliance requirements.Practical SAP Payroll, SAP HR and SAP FI experience, including payroll-to-general-ledger integration and control account management.Experience in payroll systems change governance, business requirements, configuration liaison, user acceptance testing and authorisation controls.Advanced Microsoft Excel capability for reconciliations, analytics, reporting, budgeting and audit support; strong Microsoft Word and presentation skills.Experience with share scheme and deferred remuneration administration systems such as Share Trust Systems, JIS and ShareForce is advantageous.Knowledge of IFRS 2 valuation inputs, share-based payment accounting and related annual financial statement disclosures is advantageous.Strong process documentation, control design, data validation, audit evidence and project delivery skills.COMPETENCIESHigh level of financial integrity, accuracy and attention to detail, with disciplined follow-through on reconciliations, submissions, payments and audit commitments.Strong analytical and problem-solving capability, with the ability to identify root causes, interpret payroll financial impacts and implement sustainable corrective action.Sound risk, governance and control mindset, including the ability to recognise fraud, negligence, data integrity and non-compliance risks.Strong leadership, coaching and people management capability, with clear accountability and effective knowledge transfer.Excellent written communication, process documentation, presentation and stakeholder engagement skills.Ability to translate legislative, strategic and business requirements into practical payroll processes, system controls and measurable outcomes.Effective planning, prioritisation and deadline management across monthly, bi-annual and annual payroll, tax, finance and audit cycles.Confident decision-making and influencing skills, with the ability to engage constructively with senior stakeholders, auditors, service providers and technical teams.Continuous improvement and project-oriented delivery approach, with adaptability in a dynamic retail and finance environment.Commitment to confidentiality, ethical conduct, collaborative teamwork and consistent service excellence.Professional courage and constructive challenge, with the ability to escalate material financial, compliance and control concerns appropriately KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES1. Payroll Finance & Financial ControlLead payroll financial governance by ensuring all payroll-related general ledger, balance sheet, income statement, control and bank account reconciliations are complete, accurate, valid and resolved within the relevant finance period and recurring issues addressed through appropriate root-cause remediation.Own payroll journals, accounting entries and group payroll reporting, including monthly and annual postings, payroll cost allocations, non-company payroll postings, foreign payroll-related payments and timely clearance of control accounts in SAP FI.Manage the payroll budgeting and forecasting process for Corporate Divisions, including labour budget preparation, distribution, analysis and support to business stakeholders on payroll cost forecasts and financial impacts.Approve and control payroll-related payments and submissions, including salaries, wages, SARS, ITA88, vendors, pension funds, share options and other departmental payments, in line with delegated authority, supporting evidence and segregation-of-duties requirements.Lead and develop the payroll finance team through clear priorities, coaching, technical guidance, performance management and accountability, while maintaining effective stakeholder relationships and consistent service delivery.Provide insightful payroll cost analysis and management reporting, explaining key trends, variances and cost drivers and supporting Finance and business stakeholders in understanding payroll-related financial performance.

2. Payroll Compliance, Risk and AssuranceOwn payroll compliance governance across applicable payroll tax, employment, retirement funding and remuneration-related requirements, including PAYE, EMP201, EMP501 and IRP5 obligations.

Monitor legislative and regulatory developments, assess their payroll, financial and system impacts, ensure required process, control and system changes are implemented, and facilitate effective communication, knowledge transfer and training to relevant stakeholders.Maintain a structured payroll compliance monitoring programme and calendar, with defined obligations, accountable owners, evidence requirements, due dates, exceptions and escalation of non-compliance.Oversee payroll system access and authorisation governance, including appropriate segregation of duties, privileged or sensitive access, periodic access review and timely remediation of inappropriate access.Own and continuously enhance the payroll financial and compliance control framework, including preventative and detective controls, exception monitoring, control evidence, segregation of duties and remediation of identified control deficiencies.Lead internal and external payroll audits by preparing reconciliations, reports, spreadsheets and explanatory documentation; coordinating responses with auditors and Group Finance; resolving audit queries; and monitoring remediation of findings.Provide financial, compliance and control oversight over third-party, African and international payroll arrangements where applicable, including reconciliation, statutory compliance and financial reporting.3. Payroll Business Processes, Systems and AnalyticsEstablish and oversee payroll data integrity and exception controls across employee master data, remuneration inputs, deductions, banking details, tax data and payroll outputs, identifying anomalies and ensuring material exceptions are investigated and resolved.Lead payroll business and system change initiatives, including defining business requirements, coordinating SAP Payroll configuration with IT, managing system changes and defects, overseeing payroll and HR authorisations, leading user acceptance testing for Pick n Pay and Boxer, and ensuring controlled implementation and post-implementation validation of changes.Lead payroll financial, compliance and exception analytics to identify unusual trends, control failures, incorrect payments, data anomalies and opportunities for process improvement.Document and maintain payroll finance, compliance and system processes, training materials, approval frameworks and data validation methods to strengthen standardisation, continuity, audit readiness and control effectiveness..4.

Share Schemes and Deferred RemunerationManage the administration, reconciliation and financial control of employee share schemes, deferred remuneration and retention arrangements, including grants, vesting, forfeitures, dividends, payments and participant records.Ensure accurate accounting and financial reporting for share-based payments and deferred remuneration arrangements, including IFRS 2 valuation inputs, reconciliations and annual financial statement disclosure requirements.Closing Date: 22 November 2026If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!Discover who we are