Senior Manager, HR and Payroll Operations

• Human Resources Division
• Full-time, fixed-term position until 31 December 2027
• Base salary will be in the range $140,766 - $148,862 + 17% super (HEW Level 9) 
• Based at our St Lucia location  

As the Senior Manager, Salary and Benefits, you will lead the strategic and operational delivery of the University's salary, superannuation, payroll, and employee benefits services. Playing a pivotal role within Human Resources, you will ensure our remuneration and benefits programs are compliant, efficient, and employee-focused, supporting a diverse workforce across a large and complex organisation.

Leading a team of payroll, superannuation and benefits professionals, you will drive continuous improvement, enhance service delivery, and provide expert advice on remuneration, superannuation, salary packaging, taxation, and legislative compliance. This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced leader to influence enterprise-wide practices while ensuring exceptional outcomes for staff and stakeholders.

• Lead the delivery of payroll, superannuation, salary packaging, and employee benefits services, ensuring compliance with legislative, regulatory, audit, and governance requirements.

• Provide strategic and operational leadership in the management of complex payroll and remuneration matters, including employee benefits, taxation, salary packaging, overpayments, and payroll risk management.

• Act as the University's subject matter expert, delivering specialist advice on superannuation, payroll legislation, taxation requirements, and employee benefits programs.

• Drive business improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, service quality, and stakeholder experience while ensuring compliance with UniSuper performance standards.

• Oversee financial reporting activities, including the preparation and distribution of monthly payroll and benefits-related reports.

• Lead reviews of business processes, systems, and policies to identify opportunities for innovation, continuous improvement, and risk mitigation.

As part of the UQ community, you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world, working together to create a better world. Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available.  

Enjoy up to 26 weeks paid parental and primary care leave, 17% super, 17.5% leave loading, flexible and hybrid working options, health and wellbeing programs, a heavily discounted Study for Staff program, on‑campus childcare, affordable parking, and salary packaging. 

You are an experienced people leader with deep expertise in payroll operations, employee benefits, and remuneration governance within a large and complex environment. You combine technical knowledge with a strategic mindset and are passionate about delivering exceptional service and continuous improvement.

You will bring:

• Postgraduate qualifications in a relevant discipline and extensive leadership experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and significant professional expertise.
• Comprehensive knowledge of payroll, superannuation, salary packaging, taxation, and employment-related legislation.
• Demonstrated success leading complex payroll or remuneration functions within a large organisation.
• Strong understanding of risk management, governance, compliance, and audit requirements relating to payroll and employee benefits.
• Proven ability to influence, negotiate, and build trusted relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Exceptional leadership capabilities, with a track record of developing high-performing teams through coaching, mentoring, and professional development.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate complex remuneration and payroll matters.
• A commitment to continuous improvement and delivering a responsive, customer-focused service experience.

Interested? 

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Sandy Tacey, Director, People Services at [email protected] . For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at [email protected], stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.  

When you apply, please ensure you upload a resume and cover letter summarising how your background aligns to the ‘About You’ section. Please note that applications received via email will not be accepted. 

Other Information  

Pre-employment checks may include: verification of the right to work in Australia, qualifications, and criminal history checks. This may also include checks relating to gender-based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements.

You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.  

We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We recognise that career pathways and opportunities differ and encourage applications from candidates who may not meet every criteria but can demonstrate their potential relative to opportunity. We’re also happy to support any accessibility needs throughout the recruitment process. Just let us know how we can help by emailing [email protected] or calling +61 7 3365 2623. 

Applications close Sunday 18 October 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-69868).

Applications will be reviewed as received and UQ reserves the right to close this recruitment process prior to the advertised close date.