Manager, Payroll Operations - Sub Saharan

About the Role

A dynamic opportunity has arisen for a seasoned Manager to oversee Payroll Operations across various Sub-Saharan African countries. This position is entirely remote, offering flexibility and the chance to contribute to a globally distributed team. The core of this role involves ensuring that payroll processes are not only executed accurately and on time but also remain fully compliant with all relevant regulations within the assigned region. You will be at the forefront of managing payroll outcomes, leading a team of payroll specialists, and driving operational excellence.

As the Manager of Payroll Operations, your primary responsibility will be to guarantee the seamless and compliant delivery of payroll services for a specific group of countries. This encompasses:

• **Accountability for Payroll Outcomes:** You will hold ultimate responsibility for the accuracy, timeliness, and legal adherence of payroll processing within your team's remit. This involves consistently meeting and exceeding established payroll standards.
• **Team Leadership and Development:** Providing direct, day-to-day leadership to a team of payroll specialists is crucial. This includes offering coaching, constructive feedback, and guidance to foster their professional growth and enhance their capabilities.
• **Operational Issue Resolution:** You will spearhead investigations into any payroll-related discrepancies or issues that arise. A key part of your role will be to drive these issues to a swift and effective resolution, operating within your designated authority.
• **Performance Management Input:** Contributing to the performance assessment of your team members is a vital function. You will provide input on performance ratings and, when necessary, recommend appropriate performance management actions.
• **End-to-End Payroll Delivery:** You will manage the complete payroll lifecycle for a defined set of countries, ensuring both regulatory compliance and consistent operational practices are maintained throughout.
• **Risk and Process Improvement:** Proactively identifying potential operational risks, recurring challenges, and gaps in existing processes within your payroll scope will be essential for continuous improvement.

What They're Looking For

The ideal candidate will possess a proven track record in managing payroll operations, particularly within regional or multi-country contexts. Demonstrated people leadership skills are paramount, including a history of effective coaching, providing valuable feedback, and contributing to performance discussions.

Key requirements include:

• **Experience in Payroll Management:** Proven experience in owning payroll outcomes for a team, preferably in a multi-country or regional setting.
• **Leadership Capabilities:** Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop a team of payroll professionals.
• **Investigative and Problem-Solving Skills:** Comfort and proficiency in leading operational investigations and driving resolutions.
• **Strong Operational Judgement:** The capacity to make sound decisions, balancing the need for speed, accuracy, and positive customer impact.
• **Remote Work Acumen:** Experience working in a remote-first or globally distributed team environment would be a significant advantage.

This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to an organisation dedicated to simplifying global employment for businesses. By ensuring compliant and efficient payroll operations across Sub-Saharan Africa, you will play a critical part in enabling companies to confidently manage their international workforce.

In South Africa, a Manager of Payroll Operations role can command a competitive salary, typically ranging from R500,000 to R900,000 annually, depending on experience and the scale of operations managed. Common employers include multinational corporations with a local presence, large South African enterprises, and specialist payroll outsourcing firms. The career path often leads to broader regional or global payroll leadership roles, or specialisation in payroll compliance and technology.

• Proven experience owning payroll outcomes for a team in regional or multi-country environments.
• Demonstrated people leadership capability, including coaching, feedback, and performance input.
• Comfortable leading investigations and driving operational resolution.
• Strong operational judgment with the ability to balance speed, accuracy, and customer impact.
• Experience working in remote-first or globally distributed teams is a strong advantage.