Payroll Specialist

Payroll Specialist

As a Payroll Specialist, you will aid the accurate, timely, and compliant delivery of payroll across SHL's 20+ global entities. Working closely with HR, Finance, and external payroll providers, you will play a key role in ensuring payroll accuracy, assisting staff with payroll queries, and contributing to continuous process improvement initiatives.

All applicants must be eligible to work in South Africa without sponsorship. This role is based at our office in Centurion, Gauteng; hybrid working is available.

• Process payroll across multiple countries in line with published target dates, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and proper approval controls (e.g., exception reporting, sign-offs).
• Ensure compliance with local labor, tax, and regulatory requirements as well as internal company policies.
• Collect and validate payroll input data from SHL's HRIS and other sources to ensure complete and accurate payroll moves.
• Partner with outsourced payroll providers in multiple geographies to ensure quality delivery.
• Prepare data required for monthly payroll journals and support Finance with reconciliations and analysis.
• Reply to queries from external auditors during the annual financial statement audit.
• Address and resolve staff payroll queries in a timely and professional manner.
• Provide payroll expertise and guidance to HR and Finance colleagues.
• Assist continuous improvements to payroll processes, systems, and controls, including vendor transitions and automation initiatives.

• Minimum 2 years' proven payroll experience, ideally with exposure to multi-country payrolls.
• Hands on experience managing payrolls end to end (from input to processing, review, and payment).
• Familiarity with ADP.
• Strong knowledge of payroll tax, statutory filings, and compliance requirements.
• Experience preparing payroll journals and helping Finance with reporting.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills; comfortable working with data and reconciliations.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build relationships across HR, Finance, and external providers.
• Highly organized, with the knowledge of how to manage multiple priorities, meet target dates, and adapt to change.
• Professional payroll qualification preferred but not essential.
• Strong knowledge of tax and wage regulations.
• Experience in MS Excel and payroll/HRIS systems.

Closing Date for applications: 24th April 2026

SHL is an equal opportunity employer. We support and encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates and make adjustments to keep our recruitment process inclusive.