Principal Payroll Governance

The Opportunity

In this pivotal role, you will ensure the accuracy, integrity, and legal compliance of payroll processes across multiple pay entities and systems.

Based at our Head Office, this role acts as a subject‑matter expert in payroll legislation, industrial instruments, internal controls, system governance, and audit readiness. You will focus on minimising compliance risks, improving payroll processes, and ensuring the organisation meets all obligations under relevant laws and regulations.

Working closely with Payroll, People Systems, Employee Relations, Risk & Compliance and both internal and external auditors, you will drive best‑practice governance frameworks, enhance process efficiency, and provide strategic oversight of payroll compliance operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor and implement changes to payroll legislation, awards, enterprise agreements, superannuation rules, ATO requirements, and Fair Work obligations
• Maintain payroll policies, control frameworks, and internal controls to ensure compliance and operational consistency
• Conduct internal audits of payroll processes, system configurations, award interpretations, and time‑and‑attendance data; lead responses to external audits and regulatory reviews (FWO, ATO, State Revenue Office)
• Oversee compliance with wage theft legislation; identify payroll compliance risks and develop mitigation strategies
• Monitor data integrity across payroll, rostering, and time‑and‑attendance systems, ensuring platform alignment
• Support payroll system governance, reviewing and approving configuration changes, upgrades, and patches in collaboration with IT, HRIS, and vendors
• Prepare compliance reports, analyse payroll trends and exceptions, and draft management responses to audit findings

What is required

• Tertiary qualification in Accounting, Payroll, HR, or related discipline (or equivalent experience)
• Certified Payroll Professional certification or similar accreditation desirable
• Extensive experience in payroll compliance, governance or audit in a complex, multi‑entity environment
• Demonstrated expertise interpreting awards, enterprise agreements, and payroll legislation (Fair Work Act, wage theft laws, superannuation)
• Hands‑on experience with enterprise payroll systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and internal control frameworks
• Detail‑oriented, proactive approach — anticipates risks before they escalate
• Collaborative problem‑solving skills, balancing compliance rigour with outcome‑focused solutions

About Mineral Resources

MinRes is a leading diversified resources company with extensive operations in lithium, iron ore, energy and mining services across Western Australia. With a focus on people and innovation, MinRes has become one of the ASX’s best-performing companies since listing in 2006.

Our headquarters at 20 Walters Drive sets a new standard for workplace wellness.  World class facilities include a café, restaurant, commercial gym, crèche, daycare and health centre, including GP.

At MinRes, the future's bright. Be part of our next chapter.