Payroll Specialist

At Squadron Energy, our purpose is to improve the environment for current and future generations — and we’re doing it by backing big ambition with real delivery. 

We’re looking for additional, passionate people to join the Squadron family. If you’re motivated by purposeful work, want to contribute to a team transforming Australia’s energy landscape, and you bring the energy to help us deliver at pace — Please! Keep reading...
Squadron Energy is Australia’s leading renewable energy company that develops, operates and owns renewable energy assets in Australia. With proven experience and expertise across the project lifecycle, we work with local communities and our customers to lead the transition to Australia’s clean energy future.

We are 100% Australian owned and have 2 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy in operation and under construction.

So, what does it mean to work at Squadron? “Bring real Squadron Energy” — meaning we show up with purpose, we back each other, and we do the right thing while delivering outcomes with safety front of mind, always.  

What you’ll experience: 

Everyone works towards a shared ambition: transforming Australia’s energy landscape. We collaborate, respect each other, and recognise achievements as we deliver high performance.  

We deliver safe and purposeful work that makes a positive difference. Quality and excellence underpin what we do, and we strive to work sustainably for the communities we operate in.  

We boldly lead 

We’re courageously innovative — we take action, try new things, learn from mistakes, and find better ways to create value. We encourage everyone to learn and grow.  

Reporting to the Head of People and Culture Operations, the Payroll Specialist is responsible for overseeing all aspects of payroll activities within Squadron Energy (SQE). The Payroll Specialist is the primary source of expertise to ensure SQE’s payroll practices are aligned with legislative requirements. The Payroll Specialist is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of end‑to‑end payroll in accordance with Australian legislation, Awards, and organisational policies. This role supports payroll operations across the employee lifecycle, maintains high‑quality payroll data and provides responsive payroll support to employees and stakeholders. Working closely with the People & Culture and Finance teams, the Payroll Specialist contributes to compliance, reporting, cyclical payroll activities, and continuous improvement initiatives to ensure payroll outcomes are accurate, compliant, and efficiently delivered.

• Process end‑to‑end payroll for fortnightly and off‑cycle payroll runs, including data entry, validation, and finalisation of payments, ensuring compliance with taxation, superannuation guarantee, and payroll tax obligations.

• Prepare, reconcile, and process monthly superannuation payments in accordance with legislative requirements and superannuation clearing house obligations.

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date employee payroll records, including personal details, tax declarations, superannuation, salary packaging, and other payroll-related data. 

• Process employee lifecycle payroll activities including commencements, changes, promotions, allowances, terminations and final payments.

• Coordinate cyclical payroll activities, including support for the annual Salary Review process and Short‑Term Incentive (STI) Program.

• Assist with the preparation of remuneration benchmarking data to support annual pay review cycles and ad‑hoc remuneration decisions.

• Support end of financial year activities, including payment summaries and reconciliations.

• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll legislation, ensuring compliance with all relevant laws and guidelines, and communicating relevant updates to the team.

• Identify opportunities to streamline payroll processes, implement best practices, and support ongoing compliance with policies and regulatory requirements.

• Assist with the preparation and distribution of regular payroll reports and reconciliations for internal stakeholders. 

• Respond to payroll‑related enquiries from internal and external stakeholders in a timely, accurate, and professional manner, including managing the Payroll inbox.

• Ensure the accurate application of Award and legislative requirements, including BOOT checks, in line with established procedures.

• Work collaboratively with the P&C and Finance teams on payroll processing, reporting, system updates, and continuous improvement initiatives. 

• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, payroll system enhancements, audit recommendations and actions, and project activities as required.

• Contribute to the development, documentation, and adherence to payroll procedures and work instructions. 

• Assist with the review of leave balances, including annual leave and long service leave, as requested. 

• Prepare termination and redundancy estimates and support the P&C team in providing accurate calculations in accordance with legislative requirements.

• Support audits and compliance checks by providing payroll data and documentation as required.

• Always maintain confidentiality and integrity of payroll and employee information.

• Demonstrated experience in end‑to‑end payroll processing within a payroll environment.

• Strong understanding of payroll regulations and compliance requirements.

• Demonstrated experience building effective working relationships internally & externally and ability to
  seek relevant advice/information from appropriate people and sources.

• Experience using Workday (or similar HRIS/payroll systems) to process payroll transactions, maintain employee data, and support accurate and timely payroll outcomes.

• Experience implementing and managing payroll systems or software upgrades, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in payroll processing.

• Strong understanding and experience in market benchmarking and remuneration review related activities.

• Experience working with different industrial instruments, including Enterprise Agreements and Awards for site‑based and shift‑based workforces.

• High-level organisation skills including well-developed priority-setting skills and the ability to meet
  deadlines.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and make recommendations for process improvements or risk mitigation.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to explain complex payroll issues clearly and effectively.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and payroll software for data analysis and reporting

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.

At Squadron, our values underpin the culture we seek to create, and we look for people who live them in day-to-day work.

Humility, Family, Safety, Courage and Determination, Frugality, Stretch Targets, Empowerment, Generating Ideas, Enthusiasm, Integrity.

What this might look like in this role: 

• You collaborate generously (Family) and build trust (Humility).  

• You prioritise doing the right thing, including safety and quality (Safety, Integrity).  

• You act with initiative, learn fast, and improve how work gets done (Generating Ideas, Stretch Targets, Courage and Determination). 

We’re building a workplace where people feel safe, valued, and empowered to thrive — and our employee experience is designed to match what we say we offer. 

Depending on role and location, you can expect:

• A culture that supports learning and growth and encourages people to stretch into new challenges.

• A team environment where people care about each other and collaborate to get big things done. 

• Flexibility and positive perks 

• A generous leave incentive policy to support your health and wellbeing.

Squadron Energy is committed to a work environment where everyone is included, treated fairly and with respect, and where diverse backgrounds strengthen our culture, idea generation and outcomes. 

We welcome all applicants from all backgrounds including women, culturally and linguistically diverse individuals, people with disability, LGBTQIA+ communities and veterans and strive to create an environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

As our commitment to advancing our RAP as part of our ongoing efforts towards reconciliation we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply.

 If you want to join the Squadron Family and be a part of something bigger, then we encourage you to take the next steps:

• Submit your updated resume outlining your relevant experience to date that aligns with the position and associated responsibilities.

• Attach a cover letter outlining your motivations behind applying for this role.

Please Note

Appointment to this position will be subject to reference checks, a National Police Check and other applicable background screening if required.

A friendly reminder to recruitment agencies...
Squadron Energy does not accept unsolicited CVs from recruitment agencies. Any CV's will not be considered as an 'introduction'.