Your new career
Join the Financial Accounting team, a group responsible for delivering accurate financial reporting, maintaining strong internal controls and meeting Council’s statutory and taxation obligations. The Payroll team plays a vital role within this function, ensuring the effective and efficient payroll for all Council employees and Councillors.

As Team Leader Payroll, you will lead the delivery of Council’s end-to-end payroll function, ensuring people are paid accurately and on time while maintaining compliance with relevant legislation, Council policies and Enterprise Agreements. You will guide a small payroll team, oversee payroll systems and reporting, and drive continuous improvement to ensure accuracy, efficiency and strong governance.

What you will bring to the role
We are looking for an experienced Payroll Team Leader who combines strong technical payroll expertise with a collaborative leadership style and a genuine commitment to accuracy, compliance and continuous improvement. You are a proactive problem solver who enjoys working with complex information, supporting others to succeed and ensuring systems and processes run smoothly.

To thrive in this role you will have: 

• Demonstrated experience leading end-to-end payroll processing in a complex organisation.
• Strong knowledge of payroll legislation, awards/Enterprise Agreements and compliance requirements.
• Experience leading, mentoring and developing a payroll team.
• Highly developed analytical and reconciliation skills with the ability to manage complex payroll calculations and reporting.
• Experience maintaining and improving payroll systems, processes and internal controls.
• The ability to provide clear advice and build strong working relationships across Finance, HR and the wider organisation.

Key selection criteria
Mandatory qualifications, experience and requirements

• At least 5 years experience leading an end-to-end payroll function within a complex environment.
• Strong leadership and people management skills, with experience mentoring, developing and motivating a payroll team to deliver accurate, compliant and customer-focused services.
• Strong knowledge and experience in the application of Australian payroll related legislation, Awards, and EBAs.
• Extensive experience with payroll software.
• Advanced excel skills.
• Experience with report writing tools, eg Microsoft query or Power BI.
• High level analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to resolve complex payroll, taxation and superannuation matters under strict timeframes.
• High attention to detail and ability to manage strict deadlines.
• Diploma or Degree in Accounting, Finance, HR, or related discipline (desirable).
• Experience in a Local Government environment (desirable).
• A current Working With Children Check
• You have the permanent right to live and work in Australia
• Police Check results that are suitable for this position (will be arranged by Surf Coast Shire Council). 
  A complete international criminal history check is required if the person has worked or lived overseas for any period of time OR a complete national criminal history check is required if the person has only ever worked in Australia.

What you’ll love working with us
Council embraces diversity and social inclusion and encourages applications from skilled people from all walks of life.

We recognise that our employees play a vital role in creating an innovative, safe, respectful and supportive workplace, living our values and delivering exceptional services to our thriving community. Council is committed to providing a workplace culture of equity, inclusion and diversity that eliminates all forms of discrimination, harassment and bullying.

There are numerous social activities throughout the year available as well as the benefits of:

• Flexible working arrangements including working from home and flexi time options, RDOs
• Employee Assistance Program and award-winning staff wellbeing program
• Career development and learning opportunities, we help our people grow
• Purchase of additional annual leave
• Free onsite parking
• Leave loading.

For more information
You’ll find further details about the role, including accountabilities and key selection criteria, in the Position Description on our website – [Position Description PDF]

If you believe you have the knowledge, skills and experience to fulfil this role and would like further information, please contact Gabrielle Spiller, Manager Finance on 5261 0600.

How to apply
Applications are to be in Word or PDF format and should include a:

• •    cover letter including your statement addressing the selection criteria 
• •    copy of your resume. 

Please note that only applications with a statement addressing the selection criteria will be considered for this position.

Simply complete the application process by clicking the "Apply Now" button and we'll be in touch with you shortly regarding your application. 

Applications close at 11.59pm Sunday 19 April 2026. 

Surf Coast Shire Council is an equal opportunity and child safe employer.