Payroll Manager

ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions

. Develop and execute the Africa payroll centralization strategy across all regional entities .

Posted 11/2/2026full-timeJohannesburg • South AfricaSeniorLeadWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in payroll centralization, compliance with African payroll legislation, and strategic partnership with HR and Finance leadership. Proven ability to lead payroll transformation initiatives, manage payroll operations across multiple countries, and ensure accurate payroll processing and reporting.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Payroll Centralization StrategyAfrican Payroll Legislation KnowledgePayroll Transformation LeadershipOutsourced Payroll ManagementPayroll Accounting and Reconciliations

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Payroll ProcessingPayroll CompliancePayroll AccountingData AnalyticsPayroll Systems ImplementationPayroll GovernanceStatutory PaymentsPayroll Metrics ReportingBudgeting and ForecastingContinuous Improvement

Soft Skills

Stakeholder ManagementChange LeadershipCross-Functional CollaborationTeam DevelopmentStrong Communication Skills

Tools & Technologies

HRISPayroll Technology PlatformsPayroll Dashboards

Certifications & Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in FinanceProfessional Payroll Qualification

Industry Keywords

Multinational Payroll ExperienceAfrican Countries Payroll ManagementLabor RegulationsCompensation and Benefits AdministrationInternal Controls and Audit Management

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Develop and execute the Africa payroll centralization strategy across all regional entities
Establish a centralized payroll operating model balancing regional standardization with local statutory compliance
Consolidate payroll systems, vendors, and service delivery models across Africa
Lead payroll transformation, continuous improvement, and automation initiatives
Develop and implement standardized payroll policies, procedures, and operating frameworks
Oversee end-to-end payroll processing for all African entities and ensure accurate, timely processing
Manage internal payroll teams and external payroll service providers using SLAs and KPIs
Ensure accurate processing of payroll calculations, deductions, benefits, incentives, commissions, and statutory payments
Resolve complex payroll issues and escalations
Partner with African HR leadership to standardize remuneration components, compensation structures, allowances, benefits administration, and payroll-related programs
Act as primary payroll partner to African HR and integrate payroll with HR administration, compensation, benefits, talent, and workforce planning
Support organizational changes, restructures, acquisitions, and workforce transitions
Ensure employee data integrity and establish HR-Finance payroll governance and approval workflows
Ensure compliance with local payroll, tax, labor, social security, pension, and regulatory requirements
Monitor legislative changes and manage controls, audits, inspections, submissions, and risk mitigation
Oversee payroll accounting, reconciliations, monthly analysis, reporting, dashboards, budgeting, forecasting, and workforce cost planning
Deliver payroll metrics and dashboards to the Africa CFO and Executive Leadership Team
Identify payroll cost-saving and efficiency opportunities
Manage payroll vendors and service providers across African countries
Lead payroll system implementations, upgrades, integrations, technology consolidation, and data standardization
Build and lead a high-performing regional payroll function
Define service standards, coach payroll team members and country payroll representatives, and lead change management
Deliver a centralized African payroll operating model, improved efficiency and service levels, standardized processes, consolidated reporting, and full regional compliance

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field
Professional payroll qualification preferred
Relevant accounting qualification advantageous
Minimum 8-10 years of payroll experience in a multinational environment
Minimum 5 years in a regional payroll leadership role
Proven experience managing payroll across multiple African countries
Demonstrated experience leading payroll centralization and transformation projects
Strong knowledge of African payroll legislation, tax regulations, and labor requirements
Experience partnering closely with HR and Finance leadership teams
Experience managing outsourced payroll providers and payroll technology platforms
Knowledge of payroll governance, compliance, African payroll legislation, compensation and benefits administration, HRIS and payroll systems, payroll accounting and reconciliations, internal controls and audit management, and data analytics and reporting
Strategic thinking, stakeholder management, change leadership, process optimization, cross-functional collaboration, team development, continuous improvement mindset, and strong communication and influencing skills

Benefits

Comp & perks

Regular feedback, training, and development opportunities
Opportunity to grow roles locally, regionally, or internationally
Diverse and inclusive team environment
Travel required: 0%-10%