Payroll Manager

Payroll Operations Management:

• Own the operational delivery of monthly payrolls across assigned African countries.
  
• Oversee payroll processing, reconciliation, and payment preparation activities across teams.
  
• Ensure payrolls are processed in line with approved calendars, cut-offs, and internal controls.
  
• Coordinate payroll activities across Payroll Supervisors, Payroll Specialists, and Payroll Bookkeepers.
  
• Provide regular payroll operational status, risks, and dependencies to the Head of Payroll.
  
  

Payroll Review, Risk and Control Oversight:

• Provide second-level review and challenge over payroll outputs, reconciliations, and variances.
  
• Ensure first-level and second-level reviews are performed by Supervisors and Specialists, respectively.
  
• Review high-risk payroll items, material adjustments, and control exceptions.
  
• Ensure payroll outputs, reconciliations, and payment schedules are fully supported and approved prior to escalation.
  
• Monitor payroll risks, control findings, and corrective actions.
  
  

3rd-Party Payroll Payment Governance:

• Accountable for the governance and oversight of all payroll-related third-party payments, including:
  o Tax authorities
  o Pension, provident, and retirement funds
  o Medical aid and insurance providers
  o Garnishees and statutory bodies
  
• Oversee preparation and review of third-party payment schedules and supporting reconciliations.
  
• Ensure segregation of duties between payroll processing, review, booking, and payment release.
  
• Monitor statutory deadlines, payment timelines, and confirmation of settlement.
  
• Escalate payment risks or material discrepancies to the Head of Payroll.
  
  

Payroll Bookkeepingand Financial Integration:

• Oversee payroll bookkeeping activities performed by Payroll Bookkeepers.
  
• Ensure accurate posting of payroll journals, accruals, and reversals to the general ledger.
  
• Review payroll control account reconciliations and variance explanations.
  
• Ensure payroll outputs reconcile to third-party payments and financial records.
  
• Liaise with Finance on payroll-related accounting, reporting, and audit requirements.
  
  

Sage 300 People – Operational Ownership:

• Act as the operational owner of Sage 300 People payroll execution.
  
• Ensure Payroll Supervisors and Administrators follow approved system processes and controls.
  
• Oversee operational testing for legislative updates, patches, and payroll cycle readiness.
  
• Escalate system configuration, design, or risk matters to the Payroll Specialist (System Owner).
  
• Ensure stability and reliability of payroll outputs and interfaces.
  
  

Team Leadership and Performance Management:

• Lead, manage, and coach Payroll Supervisors, Payroll Specialists, and Payroll Bookkeepers.
  
• Ensure clear role accountability and effective collaboration across payroll functions.
  
• Set performance objectives aligned to accuracy, timeliness, controls, and compliance.
  
• Manage team capacity, succession planning, and skills development.
  
• Reinforce a culture of accountability, quality, and ethical conduct.
  
  

Compliance, Audit and Governance:

• Ensure payroll operations comply with country-specific legislation across African jurisdictions.
  
• Support and manage responses to internal and external payroll audits.
  
• Ensure audit-ready documentation, controls evidence, and resolution of findings.
  
• Drive continuous improvement in payroll governance and risk management Stakeholder & Executive Engagement.
  
• Act as the primary operational escalation point for payroll, payments, and reconciliations.
  
• Engage with HR, Finance, Treasury, Tax, and external service providers.
  
• Provide clear, concise reporting and advice to the Head of Payroll.
  
• Support payroll-related change initiatives and regional projects.
  
  

Competencies:

• Strong leadership across specialist and transactional teams.
  
• High control awareness and risk-based judgement.
  
• Ability to manage complexity and competing deadlines.
  
• Clear executive-level communication.
  
• High ethical standards and confidentiality.
  
• Sage 300 People (operational oversight and payroll execution).
  
• Payroll controls, approvals, and risk management.
  
• Payroll bookkeeping, control accounts, and reconciliations.
  
• Third-party payment governance.
  
• Advanced payroll reporting and Excel analysis.
  

Requirements