Senior Payroll Specialist

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in South Africa.

📋 Description

• Lead and assist in the implementation of new payroll systems across several African nations.

• Collect, assess, and document payroll needs, policies, and country-specific payroll regulations.

• Aid in payroll discovery, setup, testing, parallel payrolls, and launch activities.

• Review and confirm payroll calculations and system configurations during the implementation phase.

• Create payroll calendars, procedures, and operational guidelines for new payroll systems.

• Collaborate closely with clients and internal project teams throughout the implementation process.

• Identify risks, data gaps, and dependencies in the implementation and address them prior to go-live.

• Assist in User Acceptance Testing and payroll reconciliation before entering production.

• Oversee the complete monthly payroll cycle across multiple African countries.

• Process and review salaries, allowances, bonuses, deductions, overtime, leave, and other payroll inputs.

• Conduct payroll validation and reconciliation prior to payroll approval.

• Ensure precise payroll delivery in accordance with established payroll calendars.

• Review payroll reports, payslips, statutory deductions, and payment details.

• Investigate and resolve any payroll discrepancies and calculation inquiries.

• Maintain accurate payroll records and supporting documentation.

• Assist with payroll year-end and statutory reporting obligations.

• Operate payroll, HRIS, and global payroll technology platforms.

• Manage payroll data uploads, downloads, and system interfaces.

• Analyze and manipulate payroll data using Excel and other data tools.

• Support configuration, testing, and improvement of payroll systems.

• Identify opportunities to automate payroll processes and enhance efficiency.

• Uphold data quality and information security standards.

• Serve as the senior payroll contact for designated clients and payrolls.

• Engage in payroll implementation and operational meetings with clients.

• Clarify payroll calculations, processes, and country-specific requirements.

• Address payroll inquiries until resolution.

• Actively identify risks or issues impacting payroll delivery.

• Cultivate relationships with client HR, payroll, and finance teams.

• Ensure payroll services align with Leap29's standards for accuracy, responsiveness, and service.

⛳️ Requirements

• At least 3 years of professional payroll experience.

• Proven experience managing payrolls across multiple African countries.

• Experience in implementing new payrolls or supporting payroll implementation projects.

• Experience overseeing recurring monthly payroll processes from input to final reconciliation.

• Strong understanding of African payroll laws, taxation, social security, and statutory payroll requirements.

• Familiarity with payroll software and HRIS platforms.

• Proficient Microsoft Excel skills and comfort working with large volumes of payroll data.

• Experience in performing payroll reconciliations and identifying calculation discrepancies.

• Ability to juggle multiple payroll calendars, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

• Comfortable working remotely within an international team.

• Experience managing payroll across various regions of Africa, including Southern, East, West, and Central Africa.

• Experience in multinational or global payroll environments.

• Experience working directly with international clients.

• Experience in implementing or operating cloud-based payroll and HR technology.

• Experience with payroll integrations, data mapping, or system migration projects.

• Proficiency in the French language would be advantageous.

• A professional payroll, accounting, or HR qualification is desirable.

🏝️ Benefits

• Opportunity to work within a growing international payroll business.

• Engage in a variety of multi-country payroll projects.

• Enjoy an international team environment.

• Gain exposure to payroll implementation, technology, and ongoing payroll operations.

• Opportunity to support international organizations with complex global payroll needs.