Project Manager - Payroll

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced and delivery-focused Project Manager to join Downer’s Business Services Centre Compliance Assurance team within the Chief Financial Office.

This is a high-impact role suited to a strategic project professional who thrives in complex environment and has a strong ability to bring structure, governance, and stakeholder alignment to critical business initiatives. 

You will lead the end-to-end delivery of a significant Wage Type Review project across Downer’s People Services environment, ensuring compliance with legislative, tax, payroll, and industrial instrument requirements while supporting improved payroll outcomes and data integrity.

Working closely with Payroll Operations, HR Systems, Industrial Relations, Finance, Remediation, Compliance Assurance and senior leadership teams, you will drive project execution, oversee governance and risk management, and coordinate the review and remediation of wage types across payroll systems.

This is a 2-year maximum-term contract and can be based in North Ryde, Sydney or Collins Street, Melbourne.

About the Role

In this role you will:

• Lead the end-to-end planning, governance and delivery of the Wage Type Review project

• Establish and coordinate governance forums including steering committees and working groups, ensuring clear decision-making, accountability and progress tracking.
• Monitor project timelines, risks, issues and dependencies, providing timely escalation and practical solutions to support successful delivery outcomes.
• Develop and maintain project documentation, evidence repositories, decision logs, approval workflows and governance artefacts 

• Build strong relationships across Payroll, People Services, Industrial Relations, Finance, HR Systems, Remediation and Assurance functions to support project objectives.
• Provide leadership, coaching and quality oversight to project team members, fostering disciplined delivery and continuous improvement practices.
Our Ideal Candidate

You are a proactive and commercially minded project leader who can successfully navigate complexity, influence stakeholders and deliver outcomes in a highly regulated environment. You are equally comfortable leading governance discussions with senior leaders as you are driving detailed analysis and execution activities with project teams and subject matter experts.

What You Will Bring

• Degree qualification in Finance, Commerce, Business, Risk, Audit, Law or a related discipline (preferred but not essential).
• Project Management certification (desirable).
• Demonstrated experience leading complex projects, reviews or transformation initiatives within payroll, compliance, HR systems, finance or related environments.
• Strong end-to-end project delivery capability, including governance, planning, risk and issue management, dependency management and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience analysing systems, controls, business processes, configuration and compliance impacts to identify risks and improvement opportunities.
• Strong understanding of risk management, assurance frameworks and internal control environments.
• Well-developed communication and influencing skills with the ability to engage and collaborate across all levels of an organisation.
• Experience leveraging agentic AI tools or innovative technologies to improve operational efficiency and delivery outcomes.
• Knowledge of payroll processes, industrial relations, remediation programs, tax obligations and wage type/pay code configuration reviews will be highly regarded.
• Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving capability, attention to detail and commitment to quality outcomes.

You are known for your ability to bring clarity to complex problems, build strong stakeholder relationships and drive projects through to successful outcomes while maintaining a strong focus on governance, compliance and continuous improvement.

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.