National Payroll Manager

Req #1603

Brisbane QLD, Australia

Job description

Posted Wednesday 13 May 2026 at 7:00 am

Whitehaven Coalis the dominant player in Australia’s only emerging high-quality coal basin. With a culture based on our STRIVE values, our reputation for excellence in project delivery and safe, efficient and environmentally responsible operations continues to grow.

Our STRIVE Values connect us and define how we behave. Whitehaven Coal award, recognise and celebrate individuals and teams going above and beyond the requirements of their role to deliver excellent outcomes while demonstrating our values of Safety**, Teamwork, Respect, Integrity, V**alue and Excellence.

About The Company

We’re one of Australia’s leading coal producers and we’re proud of it. Coal is in our DNA and our work is critical for people, industries and communities both here in Australia and overseas.

ASX listed, we operate six mines across NSW and QLD, producing metallurgical coal that’s critical for steelmaking and thermal coal that will support the world’s energy security as we move through the energy transition.

Whitehaven Coal is poised for continued growth through the optimisation of existing assets and the assessment of future acquisition opportunities. Our people, values and performance culture underpin our success.

About The Role

Reporting to the Group Manager – Shared Services, the National Payroll Manager is accountable for the accurate, timely and compliant delivery of payroll services across Whitehaven’s national workforce, with direct leadership accountability for the Queensland Payroll Manager and New South Wales Payroll Manager.

This role leads a multi-state payroll function operating within a Shared Services model, ensuring compliance with industrial instruments, legislation, and internal governance frameworks.

The role provides strategic and operational leadership across payroll operations, payroll projects, systems, controls, and continuous improvement, while partnering closely with Finance, People & Culture, and site‐based leaders to support operational continuity and workforce confidence.

What You'll Do

• Ensure accurate, complete, and timely payroll processing across all states, entities, and employment types
• Ensure strong governance, controls and compliance with payroll legislation and audit requirements
• Develop strong working relationships with operational stakeholders
• Oversee payroll reconciliations, reporting, and balance sheet integrity
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and cost analysis relating to labour and workforce costs
• Strengthen payroll processes, accuracy and service outcomes in a high‐volume, time‐critical environment
• Drive alignment, consistency and continuous improvement across state‐based payroll operations
• Lead payroll related audit activities and projects
• Identify and mitigate payroll and compliance risks
• Lead, develop, and retain a high‐performing national payroll team
• Foster a culture of service excellence, continuous improvement, and professional integrity

What You'll Bring

• Tertiary qualification in Business, Finance, Accounting, Human Resources or a related discipline
• Extensive senior payroll leadership experience in large, complex, multi‐site organisations (preferably in mining, resources or heavy industry)
• Strong working knowledge of Australian payroll legislation, industrial instruments, tax, superannuation, and leave obligations
• Proven experience leading payroll within an ERP environment (e.g. SAP, Workday or Oracle)
• Demonstrated capability in people leadership, process improvement and change delivery
• Highly developed stakeholder engagement skills
• Ability to remain calm, decisive and solutions‐focused under critical payroll timeframes

Why Whitehaven?

• Opportunity to lead a critical national function within a growing ASX‐listed organisation
• Strong executive support and clear mandate to drive improvement and consistency
• Attractive remuneration, performance incentives and long‐term career opportunity

Whitehaven Coal is committed to increasing the representation of women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the workplace. We strive for an inclusive workplace that engages people from diverse backgrounds and welcomes diversity of gender, culture and experience.

To be considered for this position you must have the right to work in Australia.

Reward. Opportunity. Recognition. Great Place to Work.