Payroll Administrator

A large community-based organisation requires a Payroll Administrator to drive the accuracy and integrity of a complex payroll function serving over 700 employees. Positioned within a high-output HR department, this full-time, office-based role supports the Payroll Manager and is essential for managing the end-to-end processing of multiple payroll entities, with a specific focus on shift-worker dynamics and meticulous manual timesheet reconciliation. The successful candidate will take ownership of vital statutory compliance and benefit administration, ensuring seamless service delivery across the organisation's shiftworker workforce. Permanent. Key Responsibilities Payroll Processing & Administration: Support the Payroll Officer in executing end-to-end payroll cycles for approximately 720 employees across 7 distinct entities. Data Validation: Load and reconcile all payroll inputs including earnings, deductions, allowances, and ad-hoc payments, ensuring every batch has complete supporting documentation. Shift & Time Management: Capture and validate complex payroll data from manual timesheets, including shift rosters, overtime, night shifts, and public holiday premiums. Statutory Compliance: Ensure all processing aligns with South African legislation regarding PAYE, UIF, and SDL, while correctly applying tax directives and internal policies. Benefits Administration: Manage membership updates and deductions for Discovery medical aid and Alexander Forbes retirement funds, including the end-to-end management of provident fund claims. Stakeholder Liaison: Act as the primary point of contact for staff queries regarding payslips, leave, and benefits, resolving issues with high levels of discretion and professionalism. Audit & Control: Maintain a rigorous audit trail for all changes and assist with internal or external audit requests by preparing necessary schedules and documentation. Requirements Comprehensive Payroll Execution: Support the Payroll Officer in managing the full-cycle payroll for approximately 720 employees across 7 distinct legal entities. Data Integrity & Validation: Capture, load, and reconcile all payroll variables—including earnings, deductions, and allowances—ensuring every entry is backed by a robust audit trail. Specialised Time Capture: Process complex payroll inputs derived from manual timesheets, accurately calculating shift rosters, overtime, night shift allowances, and public holiday premiums. Statutory Compliance: Maintain strict adherence to South African labour and tax legislation (PAYE, UIF, SDL) while managing tax directives and internal policy applications. Benefits & Fund Administration: Oversee the administrative lifecycle for Discovery medical aid and Alexander Forbes retirement funds, including the processing of provident fund claims. Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as the professional first point of contact for staff queries regarding payslips, leave balances, and benefits, ensuring resolutions are handled with high discretion. Reporting & Audit Support: Prepare detailed payroll schedules for internal review and assist with external audit requirements to ensure total financial transparency. Requirements Education: Matric (Grade 12) is essential. Professional Experience: A minimum of 5 years’ experience in a payroll administration role within a medium-to-large organisation. Technical Expertise: Proven experience in shift-worker environments and the manual capturing of high-volume timesheets. Systems Proficiency: Direct, hands-on experience using Sage 300 People for payroll processing. Legislative Knowledge: Solid understanding of South African payroll laws and statutory deduction frameworks. Benefits Administration: Practical experience in managing medical aid and retirement fund administration and claims. Preferred Qualifications Certification: A formal payroll qualification (e.g., SAPS, IPM) is highly advantageous. Advanced Analytics: Strong Excel skills, specifically the ability to use VLOOKUPs and Pivot Tables for complex reconciliations. Multi-Entity Exposure: Experience managing payroll across various cost centres and separate legal entities. Required Software Skills Sage 300 People Microsoft Excel (Advanced) SARS e-Filing / e@syFile Benefits Opportunity to work within a mission-driven environment that impacts the local community. Collaborative and supportive HR team culture with an emphasis on professional integrity.