Senior Payroll Manager | Journey Beyond

Be a part of sharing special places and shaping lasting memories with Australia’s leading experiential tourism business.

About Journey Beyond

Australia’s leading experiential tourism group, Journey Beyond, is privileged to operate 20 brands spanning the country and New Zealand, connecting guests to the land, and to each other.

Headquartered in Adelaide, Journey Beyond formed in 2016 and now comprises tourism brands including: iconic trains The Ghan, Indian Pacific, Great Southern, The Overland; premium small-group outback operator Outback Spirit; eco-luxury lodge Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef; aquatic adventures Cruise Whitsundays, Rottnest Express, Sailaway Port Douglas, Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures, Darwin Harbour Cruises and Journey Beyond Cruise Sydney; our tallest members, Melbourne Skydeck and Eureka 89; the historic Vintage Rail Journeys; The Telegraph Station in Alice Springs; Monarto Safari Resort; Exmouth Dive & Whalesharks Ningaloo, New Zealand coach tour specialist Grand Pacific Tours, and Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia.

About You

You are an experienced payroll specialist and people leader with deep technical knowledge and a collaborative approach. You thrive in complex environments, enjoy solving challenging problems, stay ahead of legislative change and are motivated by improving systems and processes that positively impact employees.

You will bring:

• Demonstrated experience leading and engaging a high‑performing payroll team
• Extensive payroll experience in a complex, multi‑entity environment
• Strong expertise interpreting awards, agreements and industrial instruments
• Proven experience with payroll compliance and governance
• Experience with rostering and time & attendance systems (implementation experience highly regarded)
• Strong project management capability, particularly in system and process improvement
• High attention to detail, strong analytical skills and the confidence to advise senior stakeholders
• Experience with PayGlobal / MYOB and Deputy (highly regarded but not essential)

About The Role

This is a critical leadership role, accountable for payroll delivery, compliance, system optimisation and team performance for a workforce of approximately 2,000 employees across multiple awards, agreements and states. Reporting to the Group Manager – Human Resources, you will lead the Payroll Manager and Payroll Officers, ensuring accurate, compliant and timely payroll services across Journey Beyond.

You will take ownership of payroll governance, statutory compliance and payroll‑related improvement projects, while partnering closely with HR, Finance, operational leaders and external stakeholders.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the Journey Beyond payroll function and team
• Deliver accurate, timely end‑to‑end payroll processing across multiple employing entities and jurisdictions
• Ensure full compliance with all statutory obligations, including ATO requirements, Superannuation, Fringe Benefits Tax, Workers Compensation and Fair Work
• Oversee and maintain the Deputy Time & Attendance system, ensuring accurate configuration and ongoing updates
• Implement and maintain strong payroll governance, controls and approval frameworks
• Lead payroll‑related projects, system enhancements and process improvements
• Enhance payroll reporting to meet internal, executive and external requirements
• Provide expert payroll advice to HR, Finance and senior leaders
• Deliver a customer‑centric payroll service to the business

What We Offer

• Generous discounts on Journey Beyond travel and experiences
• Study Assistance Policy
• Employee Referral Policy
• Parental Leave program
• Purchased Leave policy
• Private Health discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Discounts on Journey Beyond merchandise
• Flexible working environment

How to Apply

If you’re ready to take ownership of a large‑scale payroll function and lead with impact, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now. Join us!

Successful candidates are required to provide a current National Police Clearance.

A pre-employment medical may be required as part of the recruitment process.