JOB OVERVIEW:

The Principal Payroll Specialist interprets internal or external business issues and recommends best practices. They will be tasked with solving complex payroll-related problems and will work independently with minimal guidance. The Principal Payroll Specialist may be responsible for leading functional teams or projects and is regarded as a specialist in the field of payroll. As such, they must have in-depth expertise in payroll and broad knowledge of the payroll discipline within the finance/HR function. It is essential that the candidate must have experience in running offshore payroll.
Reporting to the Director Human Resources, the role will lead payroll processing for our Australian onshore employees (approx 350) and offshore staff (approx 170). It will include inputting offshore wage types and activity codes relating to Enterprise Agreements, requiring a high level of accuracy and efficiency. There may be a requirement to work additional hours during payroll processing with time off in lieu available. Flexibility will be offered, with the ability to work up to two days from home.
Our ingenuity fuels daily life. Together, we’ve forged some of the most trusted partnerships across the energy value chain to make what was once just an idea a reality: laying subsea infrastructure thousands of feet below sea level, installing platforms hundreds of miles from shore, using our expertise to design and build offshore wind infrastructure, and reshaping the onshore landscape to deliver the energy products the world needs safely and sustainably.
For more than 100 years, we’ve been making the impossible possible. Today, we’re driving the energy transition with more than 30,000 of the brightest minds across 54 countries.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, finance, or related field
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Equivalent preferable but not essential
• Minimum 10 years of payroll experience preferably within Australia
• Knowledge of Kronos and SAP essential
• Experience in working with HR on process improvements projects
• Working knowledge of company policies and procedures related to Payroll
• Ability to be responsible for changes and improvements to the payroll process
• Familiar with timekeeping systems and interfaces between Timekeeping, Payroll, and General Ledger posting of payroll
• Experience in supervising a team of 5 or more team members
• Troubleshoot and resolve offshore payroll discrepancies quickly and effectively
• Efficient time management capabilities
• Effective communication skills and the ability to professionally interface with employees, management, and others regarding payroll inquiries
• Strong analytical and presentation skills
• Able to handle sensitive employee data with a high level of confidentiality

• Execute payroll activities assigned to the team
• Ensure the accuracy, compliance, and timeliness of payroll disbursements
• Review and approve monthly payroll register to determine accuracy, ensure that all additions and deletions have been recorded, and maintain data for payroll bank envelope file
• Provide guidance and support for more junior Payroll Specialists to ensure the successful execution of payroll tasks
• Stay up to date on relevant labor laws, tax regulations, and industry best practices to ensure that all payroll activities comply with legal requirements
• Handle and resolve complex payroll issues, discrepancies, and escalations, demonstrating problem-solving skills and a keen eye for detail
• Conduct audits regularly and reconcile payroll data to maintain data integrity and accuracy
• Assisting in STP finalisation.
• Inputting of new hires into the Payroll system
• Application and a strong understanding of Enterprise Agreements.
• Administration of superannuation, payroll tax, child support, workers compensation and annual payroll related insurances.
• Continuously identify opportunities for process improvement and automation to streamline payroll operations and enhance efficiency
• Lead contact with HR to participate in Payroll Strategy development
• Participate in all training and testing cycles
• Help build test cases and responsible for validating test results
• Help drive engagement with Payroll teams to get their feedback and ensure accurate interface design development
• Act as a change agent for new processes and procedures within the Finance Team