Payroll Manager

Job Description

The Payroll Manager is accountable for the end-to-end operational delivery, governance, and performance of payroll and payroll-related third-party payments across multiple African countries using Sage 300 People.

The role ensures payroll processing, reconciliations, and payments are accurate, compliant, controlled, and audit-ready, while providing leadership to payroll teams and assurance to the Head of Payroll that all payroll outputs are prepared for regional review and final sign-off.

Responsibilities:

Payroll Operations Management:

• Own the operational delivery of monthly payrolls across assigned African countries.
  
• Oversee payroll processing, reconciliation, and payment preparation activities across teams.
  
• Ensure payrolls are processed in line with approved calendars, cut-offs, and internal controls.
  
• Coordinate payroll activities across Payroll Supervisors, Payroll Specialists, and Payroll Bookkeepers.
  
• Provide regular payroll operational status, risks, and dependencies to the Head of Payroll.
  
  

Payroll Review, Risk and Control Oversight:

• Provide second-level review and challenge over payroll outputs, reconciliations, and variances.
  
• Ensure first-level and second-level reviews are performed by Supervisors and Specialists, respectively.
  
• Review high-risk payroll items, material adjustments, and control exceptions.
  
• Ensure payroll outputs, reconciliations, and payment schedules are fully supported and approved prior to escalation.
  
• Monitor payroll risks, control findings, and corrective actions.
  
  

3rd-Party Payroll Payment Governance:

• Accountable for the governance and oversight of all payroll-related third-party payments, including:
  o Tax authorities
  o Pension, provident, and retirement funds
  o Medical aid and insurance providers
  o Garnishees and statutory bodies
  
• Oversee preparation and review of third-party payment schedules and supporting reconciliations.
  
• Ensure segregation of duties between payroll processing, review, booking, and payment release.
  
• Monitor statutory deadlines, payment timelines, and confirmation of settlement.
  
• Escalate payment risks or material discrepancies to the Head of Payroll.
  
  

Payroll Bookkeepingand Financial Integration:

• Oversee payroll bookkeeping activities performed by Payroll Bookkeepers.
  
• Ensure accurate posting of payroll journals, accruals, and reversals to the general ledger.
  
• Review payroll control account reconciliations and variance explanations.
  
• Ensure payroll outputs reconcile to third-party payments and financial records.
  
• Liaise with Finance on payroll-related accounting, reporting, and audit requirements.
  
  

Sage 300 People – Operational Ownership:

• Act as the operational owner of Sage 300 People payroll execution.
  
• Ensure Payroll Supervisors and Administrators follow approved system processes and controls.
  
• Oversee operational testing for legislative updates, patches, and payroll cycle readiness.
  
• Escalate system configuration, design, or risk matters to the Payroll Specialist (System Owner).
  
• Ensure stability and reliability of payroll outputs and interfaces.
  
  

Team Leadership and Performance Management:

• Lead, manage, and coach Payroll Supervisors, Payroll Specialists, and Payroll Bookkeepers.
  
• Ensure clear role accountability and effective collaboration across payroll functions.
  
• Set performance objectives aligned to accuracy, timeliness, controls, and compliance.
  
• Manage team capacity, succession planning, and skills development.
  
• Reinforce a culture of accountability, quality, and ethical conduct.
  
  

Compliance, Audit and Governance:

• Ensure payroll operations comply with country-specific legislation across African jurisdictions.
  
• Support and manage responses to internal and external payroll audits.
  
• Ensure audit-ready documentation, controls evidence, and resolution of findings.
  
• Drive continuous improvement in payroll governance and risk management Stakeholder & Executive Engagement.
  
• Act as the primary operational escalation point for payroll, payments, and reconciliations.
  
• Engage with HR, Finance, Treasury, Tax, and external service providers.
  
• Provide clear, concise reporting and advice to the Head of Payroll.
  
• Support payroll-related change initiatives and regional projects.
  
  

Competencies:

• Strong leadership across specialist and transactional teams.
  
• High control awareness and risk-based judgement.
  
• Ability to manage complexity and competing deadlines.
  
• Clear executive-level communication.
  
• High ethical standards and confidentiality.
  
• Sage 300 People (operational oversight and payroll execution).
  
• Payroll controls, approvals, and risk management.
  
• Payroll bookkeeping, control accounts, and reconciliations.
  
• Third-party payment governance.
  
• Advanced payroll reporting and Excel analysis.
  

Requirements

• Diploma or Degree in Payroll, Finance, Human Resources, or a related field.
  
• Payroll certification (SAIPA, SAPA, CIPP, or equivalent) – advantageous.
  
• 5–8 years’ payroll experience, including multi-country African payroll exposure.
  
• Proven experience managing Payroll Specialists, Payroll Supervisors, or Payroll Bookkeepers.
  
• Strong exposure to payroll reviews, third-party payments, reconciliations, and audits.
  
• Hands-on experience with Sage 300 People in a leadership capacity.
  

Requirements
Software Developer to join our dynamic team to assist with ongoing maintenance of existing products and to participate in the development of new, exciting and enhanced products and solutions for the HR industry. This is a great opportunity to join an exciting company. This role is diverse, challenging, and interesting. This role offers excellent career growth opportunities as well as lucrative incentives and benefits. This position requires an individual who is able to develop new solutions and enhance exisiting SAAS products. This position allows for the opportunity to work remotely. Time zone: SAST. Activities will include: Development of software products; Maintenance on existing systems; System testing; Creating and maintaining system documentation/technical specifications; Understanding business requirement documents, project scopes and specifications. Requirements Skills and Qualifications: A tertiary qualification would be preferred; 2+ years programming experience; Motivated team worker and self-starter; Knowledge of corporate HR processes would be beneficial but not essential; Knowledge and experience developing with: HTML, CSS, C#, MVC, ASP.NET 4.0/4.5 and above, SQL Server 2016+; Experience with Plinq, Interfaces and Web API's advantageous; Exposure to AI integration advantageous; 2+ years experience with AWS environments; Experience with Mobile optimisation. Excellent technical skills; Excellent problem-solving abilities; Excellent documentation skills; Excellent communication skills. MCI Consultants are people who are: Ambitious team players, but can work independently; Courageous and passionate; Able to take on challenges with a sense of urgency; Focused, with a strong desire for self-improvement; Dynamic and progressive in their thinking; Ethical and responsible; Professional, trustworthy and keen.