Team Leader Payroll

Division/Section: Business Services / Commercial & Financial Services

Position Type: Fixed Term Full Time, June 2026 – June 2027 (9 day fortnight, 36.25 hours/week)

Salary Range: LGO8 ( $119,326 - $134,802 per annum + superannuation) based on skills, qualifications and experience

Location: Townsville

Application Close: 11:45pm, Wednesday 1 July 2026.

About The Role

This fixed-term opportunity (to June 2027, with potential for extension) as Team Leader Payroll offers the chance to lead and shape payroll services at Townsville City Council. Reporting at a senior level, you will provide strategic oversight of payroll operations, ensuring alignment with legislative requirements, industrial instruments, and organisational priorities. Acting as a trusted advisor to leadership, you will contribute to workforce planning and remuneration decisions, while leading key initiatives such as enterprise agreement implementations, system improvements, and organisational change.

Working closely with People & Culture, Finance, and IT, you will drive data integrity, system integration, and continuous improvement across payroll processes to ensure accurate, compliant, and efficient service delivery. You will also lead and develop a high-performing payroll team, building capability and resilience while fostering a culture of accountability and service excellence. Through strong reporting and analysis, you will deliver insights that support decision-making and ensure payroll functions remain agile, compliant, and responsive to the needs of both the organisation and its people.

About You

• Advanced expertise in enterprise payroll systems (e.g. Chris21, HR21, UKG) and system optimisation
• Strong knowledge of awards, enterprise agreements, and employment legislation
• Highly developed analytical and problem-solving skills for complex payroll issues
• Proven leadership in team development, workflow management, and capability building
• Experience leading complex, cross-functional projects and transformation initiatives
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, including at senior levels
• Demonstrated resilience, emotional intelligence, and ability to lead through change
• Current Queensland “C” Class Driver’s Licence

Townsville City Council is the largest local government authority in Northern Australia. We’re committed to supporting our people through a strong focus on work–life balance, a positive and inclusive culture, and a shared passion for making a meaningful impact in our community.

We have a range of benefits that confirm this commitment:

• 5 weeks annual leave + 17.5% leave loading
• 3 weeks Personal/Carers Leave
• 14 weeks paid Parental Leave
• Domestic and Family Violence Leave
• Natural Disaster Leave
• Annual wage progression
• Up to *13.5% Superannuation employer contribution for contributing members
• Salary Sacrifice opportunities
• Access to a range of learning and development opportunities, including on-the-job learning and formal training programs
• Fitness Passport program offering discounted membership to selected health and wellbeing facilities
• Employee Loyalty Program offering discounts at selected local businesses
• Employee Assistance Program
• The Council contribution to employees' superannuation for contributing employees shall be 13.5% of the employees' ordinary time earnings subject to the employee contributing a minimum of 6% of their ordinary time earnings.

Contact Person: Julia

Contact Email: ***email_hidden***

How To Apply

Your application can be submitted through the 'Apply' button. Please include a cover letter (maximum 2 pages), outlining how your skills, qualifications and experience would allow you to achieve success in this role. We also will require your resume which should confirm any licences and qualifications your hold.

For Further Information Review The Position Description.

We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive workplace where diverse styles, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, encouraged, and respected. People from diverse backgrounds (including but not limited to, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, people with diverse gender identities and sexualities, people from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people with disability, and veterans) are encouraged to apply!

All successful candidates are required to undergo drug and alcohol testing as part of the recruitment process. Please be aware Townsville City Council has a ‘zero tolerance’ policy to drugs and alcohol in the workplace.

If you need any adjustments to be made to the recruitment process or if you would like to discuss any accessibility requirements, please contact [email protected] or phone 07 4727 9004 for a confidential discussion.

Attachments

• Team Leader Payroll - Position Description.pdf