Payroll & Benefits Manager
Available for exploratory interviews.
Ref: EP17612898
Company classification: Produce Commodities (mined, natural resources or grown, e.g. chemicals, gold, agriculture, energy (i.e. Eskom Generation)) Industry in: Mining Corporate Office Highest formal qualification and other: Grade 12 / Matric / N3 Honours Discipline: Other Years of experience range: g. 20 to 30 years (e. More than 10 years management) Annual package range: South African Rand - ZAR Annual package range: 1.15 mil - 1.3 mil, per annum Nationality: South African Home and other languages: Afrikaans, English, Zulu Gender: Female Ethnicity: Indian Candidate location: South Africa Location preference: I am open to positions both nationally and internationally.
Contribution Compass Profile: Conductor
Activating: 24.39 Inspiring: 18.12 Sustaining: 24.04 Refining: 33.45
The Conductor is one of the eight natural energy profiles identified by the online profiling tool Contribution Compass that Enshrine Placements have incorporated into their recruitment process to help improve employee engagement. Putting the right profiles together means deliberately structuring your team to function at its optimum.
In this video we address some questions to demonstrate how a Conductor can leverage the most value for your team.
Online Interview Questionnaire
Primary purpose of current/most recent position:
The core purpose of my role is to lead and optimize payroll operations across 17 b/units by ensuring full regulatory compliance, financial accuracy, and continuous process enhancement. I manage, mentor, and upskill a high-performing payroll team, empowering them through structured development plans, coaching sessions, and standardized workflows resulting in a 40% improvement in team efficiency. Savings 24m, I drive governance + quality by overseeing critical SARS submissions, resolving audit queries, and implementing risk and control frameworks that protect organizational integrity. Through cross-functional collaboration, I spearhead system integrations, data architecture improvements, and automation initiatives that transform payroll operations and enhance scalability.
As both a strategic project manager and a hands-on operational leader, I guide enhancements from concept to execution leveraging tools like SAP, SmartSheets, and OpenText to create dashboards, streamline reporting, and support business continuity. My role combines analytical rigor, compliance oversight, and transformational leadership to ensure payroll not only runs smoothly, but serves as a strategic lever for the company’s broader financial health + employee exp
Core elements or functions that must operate effectively in order to achieve primary purpose:
1. Governance & Compliance Frameworks
- Accurate SARS submissions (EMP501, EMP201)
- Timely resolution of IRP5 and SOA errors
- Ongoing audit readiness and regulatory training
- Maintenance of RACMs and process documentation
2. Data Integrity & Systems Integration
- Seamless interfacing between payroll and finance systems
- Error-free processing and reconciliation of payroll transactions
- Secure, access-controlled document storage (e.g. OneDrive via OpenText)
- Standardized workflows captured in process maps and walkthroughs
3. Team Leadership & Development
- Clear coaching structures and performance plans
- Monthly 1:1s, operational meetings, and mentorship
- Completion of compliance training and regulatory awareness
- Culture of accountability, empathy, and continuous improvement
4. Strategic Project Management
- Oversight of enhancement and transformation initiatives
- Dashboard tracking and reporting via tools like SmartSheets
- Effective cross-department collaboration for system upgrades
- Risk and control alignment across all business units
5. Financial Accuracy & Operational Control
- Clearing vendor accounts and responding to reconciliation queries
- Root cause analysis and resolution of payroll incidents
- Accurate EMP501-to-EMP201 reconciliations and monthly SOA closures
- Alignment of payroll activities with strategic budgeting and forecasting
6. Stakeholder Communication & Reporting
- Timely Steerco and operational reports
- Issue resolution and escalation management across departments
- Engagement with external auditors, vendors, and finance teams
- Leadership visibility into payroll metrics and efficiency milestones
Description of self, along with greater purpose and passions:
I am a strategic architect of systems, driven by innovation, logic, and measurable impact transforming complexity into clarity, and coaching others to do the same.
Ideal business title:
Finance and Payroll Manager
Key responsibilities and accountabilities of ideal position:
- Lead High-Impact Financial and Payroll Operations
Oversee multi-unit payroll and financial processes with precision, ensuring full regulatory compliance, data integrity, and timely execution across the board.
- Drive Strategic Transformation
Spearhead process improvements, system integrations, and digital transformation initiatives that elevate efficiency, transparency, and scalability.
- Mentor and Develop Top Talent
Manage, coach, and grow a team of professionals by implementing structured development plans and fostering a culture of accountability and innovation.
- Ensure Governance and Risk Control
Maintain robust compliance frameworks, oversee audit readiness, and continuously refine risk and control matrices to protect the company’s reputation and assets.
- Engage in Cross-Functional Collaboration
Work closely with internal departments and external stakeholders (e.g., HR, finance, suppliers, auditors) to resolve issues, align priorities, and deliver measurable impact.
- Deliver Strategic Reporting and Insights
Create and present dashboards, reconciliations, and project performance metrics to leadership, contributing to informed decision-making and long-term planning.
- Champion Sustainable, Ethical Practices
Align financial operations with ESG principles and support organizational commitments to sustainability, diversity, and ethical governance.
Skill area of competence:
Strong Leadership
Effective Communication
Analytical
Problem Solving
Detail Orientated
Honesty & Integrity
Loyal & Empathetic
Collaborative
Highly Adaptive
Conflict Resolution
Competitive
Innovative
Team builder
Career summary:
20 years' experience in telecommunications
7 years' experience in mining.
What do you absolutely love doing:
- Solving tough financial and operational problems with sharp logic and precision.
- Watching a plan unfold—from concept to execution—and seeing measurable results.
- Mentoring and coaching others, not just to perform, but to grow and evolve.
- Breaking down abstract strategies into actionable steps with surgical detail.
- Collaborating across departments to shape solutions that last beyond the moment.
- Optimizing processes so well that complexity feels like second nature.
Ideal company (culture and values):
- High-Performance & Integrity-Driven
A results-oriented workplace that values accuracy, transparency, and accountability—where doing the right thing is non-negotiable.
- Structured Yet Innovative
Combines clear systems and frameworks with space to test, iterate, and improve. Encourages process refinement and champions continuous learning.
- Collaborative Leadership
Promotes open dialogue and shared ownership. Leaders are strategic partners—not gatekeepers—empowering teams to make informed decisions.
- Recognition & Reward for Excellence
Celebrates measurable impact, problem-solving, and project success. Encourages individuals to push boundaries and honors achievement with respect and visibility.
- Wellbeing & Inclusivity
Maintains a supportive, diverse environment with attention to work-life integration and emotional intelligence—important for navigating high-responsibility roles.
If you are looking for a Payroll & Benefits Manager, then do get in touch.
Call the Head Office – Gauteng, SA. + 27 10 597 0862.
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