Payroll Systems Specialist - SAP

The Payroll Systems Specialist - SAP plays a critical role in ensuring payroll systems remain accurate, compliant, and aligned with business and legislative requirements across Australia and New Zealand. Reporting to the Payroll Systems Manager, this position provides specialist expertise in SAP and Quintiq payroll systems, supporting configuration changes, testing, issue resolution, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Working closely with Payroll, People Services, Industrial Relations, Technology teams, vendors, and business stakeholders, the role translates payroll, award, EBA, and legislative requirements into effective system outcomes. The position also provides trusted advice on payroll system impacts, governance, risk management, and project delivery to support a reliable and compliant payroll function.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide specialist SAP and Quintiq payroll systems expertise, acting as a trusted advisor to Payroll, People Services, Technology teams, and business stakeholders.
• Assess, analyse, and support payroll system changes, including employee data, time and attendance, pay elements, allowances, deductions, taxation, superannuation, and payroll processing impacts.
• Interpret Australian and New Zealand payroll legislation, awards, enterprise agreements, employment instruments, and regulatory changes, translating requirements into system, testing, and process outcomes.
• Partner with Payroll, Industrial Relations, Technology, Testing teams, vendors, and project stakeholders to deliver payroll system enhancements, projects, and compliance initiatives.
• Lead or support testing activities, including review of test scenarios, validation of payroll outcomes, and production readiness activities to ensure successful implementation of system changes.
• Investigate and resolve complex payroll system issues, defects, and calculation discrepancies through effective root cause analysis and stakeholder coordination.
• Support governance, risk management, audit, and compliance requirements by maintaining documentation, decision records, controls, and change approvals.
• Identify and drive continuous improvement opportunities that strengthen payroll accuracy, employee experience, operational efficiency, and system performance.

What You Will Bring

• Proven experience working with SAP Payroll and Quintiq in a large and complex payroll environment.
• Strong knowledge of Australian and New Zealand payroll legislation, industrial instruments, enterprise agreements, awards, taxation, superannuation, and payroll compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated experience supporting payroll systems projects, configuration changes, testing, release management, production support, and defect resolution.
• Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess impacts, identify root causes, and recommend practical solutions for complex payroll system issues.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to translate technical payroll concepts into clear and actionable business advice.
• Experience developing functional specifications, impact assessments, test documentation, process guidance, and governance artefacts.
• Relevant qualifications in Business, Human Resources, Payroll, Information Systems, or a related discipline, along with SAP Payroll or payroll compliance training, are desirable.

Benefits Of Working with Downer

• Work with an ASX listed company, working with market leaders.
• Grow your career with us, we are passionate about giving our people opportunities to grow through personal and professional development and continuous learning:
  • Professional development programs
    • Access to professional memberships and industry networks
• Be part of a team that cares, we foster a work environment built on support that is flexible around our employee’s wellbeing needs:
  • Flexible work arrangements
    • Parental leave
    • Employee Assistance Program
    • Programs promoting diversity and inclusion
• A range of Corporate Benefits, including:
  • Discounted services (car hires, hotels, insurance, retail stores, gyms)

Why Downer?

As a trusted name in infrastructure, transport, facilities management, and construction, Downer is committed to delivering projects that create a lasting, positive legacy. We’re committed to building a team that reflects the diverse communities we serve, and we welcome people of all ages, genders, sexual orientations, cultures, abilities, and lived experiences. We especially encourage applications from those whose voices have traditionally been underrepresented in our industry, including women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Māori and Pasifika Peoples, veterans, people with disability, and neurodivergent individuals. Even if your experience doesn’t align perfectly with this role, we’d still like to hear from you. If it feels like the right fit, apply - potential counts, and so do you.

As a WORK180 Endorsed Employer, we support flexibility that works for your life, inclusive leadership that values your voice, and equitable access to opportunity so you can do your best work and bring your whole self to it.