Join us to make a difference for all students in NSW!

Position details

• Clerk Grade 7/8
• Temporary, full-time opportunity of up to 2 years with possibility of extension
• Close to Wynyard station & hybrid work arrangements available

About the Role

It’s an exciting time to join the People and Culture (P&C) function at NESA. We are in a period of growth, transforming our operating model and service offerings to enable exceptional business outcomes. In addition to enhancing delivery of core operational services and pursuing new enabling technology solutions, the P&C team is responsible for designing and delivering an exciting agenda of strategic people priorities and programs.

As the Payroll Specialist / HSC Team Lead, you’ll manage the annual HSC casual payroll, overseeing a high-volume, time-sensitive payroll process for approximately 15,000 casual workers. You’ll lead a seasonal payroll team, ensuring timely, accurate payments in compliance with legislative requirements. Outside the HSC period, you'll focus on reviewing past payroll cycles, driving continuous improvement, and enhancing business-as-usual payroll operations with a strong customer service approach.

On a daily basis you will:

• Build strong stakeholder relationships across NESA, coordinating working groups and consultation processes to ensure smooth payroll delivery.
• Oversee payroll processing and advisory services, ensuring adequate resourcing to meet deadlines and budgets.
• Act as an escalation point for complex payroll queries, providing clear, accurate resolutions.
• Conduct retrospective reviews of payroll processes to identify risks, recommend improvements, and enhance efficiency.
• Prepare reports and documentation for central government and audit requirements, month-end tracking, and year-end requirements.
• Support business unit performance by analysing trends, recommending efficiency improvements, and driving cost management initiatives.
• Develop and maintain knowledge management resources, including standard operating procedures and staff guidance materials.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, policies, and processes.

About You

You are a dedicated professional with a strong focus on customer service excellence. Thriving in fast-paced, high-volume environments, you bring a deep understanding of payroll compliance and a proven ability to navigate complex challenges with confidence and clarity. Your problem-solving, negotiation, and communication skills enable you to resolve payroll queries effectively while ensuring seamless payroll delivery.

As a leader, you excel in high-pressure settings, guiding teams to success through clear direction and support. Your skills in project management allow you to:

• Plan and execute payroll projects while considering change management to realise business benefits.
• Define performance outcomes, track milestones, and ensure timely delivery.
• Identify risks and implement effective mitigation strategies.
• Engage stakeholders to align project goals and expectations.

Additionally, you bring intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency, with experience in data extraction and dashboard reporting.

For further information, download the role description.

About us

At the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) we work with the NSW community to drive improvements in student achievement.

We achieve this by supporting all school sectors with high-quality syllabuses, assessment (including managing the HSC and NAPLAN), teaching standards (e.g., accrediting teachers) and school environments (including setting and monitoring school standards).

To find out more about the important work we do for NSW visit our website.

Ready to join us?

Select apply and attach an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages). Also address the 2 targeted questions below (each in 350 words or less) in your online application:

1. Share an example of a time you led and supported a team in a high-pressure, high-volume environment. How did you set clear goals, keep your team motivated, and ensure deadlines and budgets were met while maintaining accuracy and service excellence?
2. Payroll compliance is critical in this role. How do you stay up to date with legislative requirements, and how have you ensured compliance in previous roles?

Advice on applying for NSW Public Sector roles

If you need reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process and workplace, please reach out to the contact person above.

Close date: Sunday, 9 March 2025 at 11.59pm AEST

Thank you for your interest, we look forward to receiving your application.

Important information

We particularly welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with a disability, people of all ages, genders, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans and refugees.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. For ongoing roles, you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident. Australian Temporary Residents may be considered for a fixed term contract for the length of their visa, depending on the requirements of the hiring area and the position.

A Talent Pool (valid for 18 months) may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles.