Manager: Payroll

Leading Telecommunications Company  is seeking a Payroll Manager

Mission/ Core purpose of the Job

  • The Manager: Payroll is responsible for ensuring fair and accurate compensation by designing, developing, implementing, and managing salary, bonus and benefits packages for the employees of the MTN SA. The Manager is responsible for end-to-end payroll processing and partners closely with MTN’s Human Resources, Tax, Legal and Technology teams to deliver world class payroll services and strategies.
  • The role will be focused on technical compliance, experience in transformation, policy, process, and governance while also focusing on technology requirements and system implementation.
  • The role requires a strong operational leader with excellent communication skills.
Context (Global influences, environmental / industry demands, organisational mission etc.)

  • Highly dynamic and fluctuating Telecommunications industry
  • Highly competitive market with new and established competitors
  • Fast moving industry
  • Legislative changes
  • Changes in the global GSM and ICT market affects developments in future revenue environments
  • Interdependency of systems and the need to understand other systems
  • High cross-functional dependency to deliver timeously
  • Employment Equity and the related shortage of skill
  • Internal client centric organisation

Key Activities and Responsibilities:

Key Deliverables 

Strategic Implementation

  • Contribute to the development and implementation of the functional strategy for the Finance Operations department
  • Develop goals, tactical strategies, and plans needed to achieve the Finance Operations department’s vision, and build the capabilities to enable optimal delivery with input from relevant stakeholders.
  • Align operational planning against the strategic intent of the division with agreed business
  • Recommend strategic business opportunities to deliver medium to long-term benefit and growth to the Finance department and add value to its

Functional KPA’s/Operations

  • Develop the salary payment policy and monitor the execution thereof to ensure that the salary payment process is processed and controlled
  • Manage the payroll to ensure employees and third parties are paid accurately, on time and according to legislation
  • Ensure controls are in place and effective for payroll with integrated payroll system, payroll validation & processing
  • Deliver quality employee benefit fund administration services to the company
  • Ensure the payroll processes are reviewed, evaluated, and renewed on an ongoing basis
  • Assist with the handling of payroll related queries from operations
  • Provide insights to EXCO on annual salary increases and benchmarking of current salaries
  • Design and implement reporting on travel and expenses across the organisation
  • Ensure the annual audit of payroll and tax is concluded effectively
  • Working with HR, implement new compensation and benefits programs, policies, and procedures into the payroll module
  • Working with HR assist with engagement with third-party services to negotiate benefit plans and resolve benefit-related issues
  • Support the HR team with compensation related topics for the purpose of recruitment and talent management activities
  • Support HR with the implementation of profit-sharing, incentive, employee wellness, and performance management programs for processing within the payroll module
  • Manage subordinate HR employees and daily operations related to compensation and benefits Support the Human resources division in payroll cost management, reporting and planning
  • Generate rule based & Automated/ Real time visibility Payroll Reconciliation
  • Resolve escalated payroll queries and issues, work, and act as the main point of contact for all related 3rd parties
  • Partner to develop technology solutions to improve Payroll processes and transactions, creating best in class processes which will scale with our business
  • Provide monthly/annual payroll reporting
  • Provide commentary and variance analysis on monthly/annual movements
  • Ensure adequate support for IRP5 and attend to related queries
  • Engage with relevant stakeholder to ensure smooth payroll runs
  • Manage engagements with relevant external service providers/stakeholders (Statutory and others)

Governance and Risk Management

  • Strictly follow and ensure team compliance of relevant policies and and procedures
  • Ensure effective Service Level Agreements strategies are in place to support the business
  • Implement proper controls and processes to minimise revenue leakage
  • Ensure proper controls are in place to manage financial and operational risks across the business
  • Act in accordance with the Delegation of Authority

Financial Management

  • Contribute to the compilation and management of OPEX budgets related to relevant functional activities
  • Assist in the forecasting, planning, and development of the department’s budget and business plans.
  • Identify cost efficiencies and best practice related to functional activities
  • Manage expenditure in line with agreed budget
  • Continuously strive to identify and eliminate non-contributory expenditure

Customer Satisfaction

  • Ensure service delivery in line with needs of the business
  • Put contingency plans in place to prevent delays and enhance the customer experience
  • Identify trends and patterns pertaining to customer requests and ensure continuous improvement as an important element of service delivery

People Leadership and Organisational Capability Building

  • Apply best team management practices throughout assigned projects and as required
  • Guide and enable the upskilling of the team throughout assigned projects
  • Act as an ambassador and role model for Finance by living the brand values and vital behaviours
  • Ensure a culture of continuous evaluation and improvement
  • Drive a culture of high performance, accountability, and consequence management

Education:

  • Minimum of 3-year financial degree
  • Fluent in English
  • Relevant certification / accreditation / membership with professional body as required for role

Experience:

  • Minimum of 5 years’ experience in financial planning and reporting gathered from medium to large organization
  • At least 2 years’ experience in a similar position, in dynamic and fast-moving industries. Telecoms experience an advantage
  • Advanced knowledge of Excel and PowerPoint
  • Financial systems skills – Oracle, Hyperion, ERP, etc.
  • Presentation and interpersonal skills

Skills: 

  • Data Management and Analytics
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Proficiency in ERP and Payroll Tools
  • Transaction processing
  • Negotiation & Communication skills
  • Data led process reengineering and automation
  • August 28, 2025
  • Johannesburg

  • Permanent