Are you detail-oriented, highly organized, and passionate about ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time? Mukuru is seeking a dedicated Payroll Partner to play a key role in managing payroll for a section of our workforce. This critical position ensures compliance with legal and company policies while delivering seamless payroll services that enhance employee satisfaction.

As a Payroll Partner, you'll work within the Human Capital department, collaborating closely with the HC team, finance, and external stakeholders, including tax authorities and benefits providers. Reporting directly to the Head of People and Effectiveness & Total Rewards, you'll navigate a complex payroll environment, handling diverse compensation packages with precision and efficiency.

If you're ready to make an impact by delivering exceptional payroll services and supporting our people-first culture, apply now to be a part of Mukuru’s dynamic team!

Duties and Responsibilities (Include but are not limited to):

Manage Payroll and Benefits:

  • Set the parameters utilised in the payroll system.
  • Ensure accurate and timeous processing of payroll salaries.
  • Timeous compilation and capturing of payroll data (i.e. salary adjustments, new engagements, promotions, transfers between payrolls, suspensions, terminations, and deductions).
  • Full administration of benefits (i.e. fund withdrawal, death claims, severe illness claims, and new joiners).
  • Ensure that all departmental payroll reports are signed off before payroll is released.
  • Prepare and liaise closely with the finance department, ensuring monthly reconciliation, salaries summary, journals, and clean audit reviews.
  • Produce detailed management reports as required by the Finance Team, CPO, and other senior managers.
  • Conduct regular system checks to ensure that the payroll database is working correctly.
  • Participate in projects relating to the development of the integrated payroll-HR database, taking a lead on identifying possible improvements to the system and playing a key role in implementing agreed changes.
  • Submit monthly salary payments payrolls through Netcash and arrange payments with the Treasury Team.
  • Arrange monthly salary payments for African payrolls with the Treasury Team.
  • Compile annual increase and bonus sheets for management (also importing revised salary and bonus figures on the payroll once approved).
  • Maintain accurate monthly payroll reports and records for audit purposes.
  • Ensure consistent flow of information and stay informed of all changes affecting employees in terms of benefits or payroll.
  • Extract payroll information for all entities on the payroll and submit to the Chief People Officer of HC each month before the 15th.
  • Produce dummy payslips for salary comparisons/new offers to prospective employees.
  • Update medical insurance members and annual increases of contributions on the payrolls.
  • Provide information to Auditors when necessary.
  • Change banking details on the payroll per request from employees.
  • Handle leave/payroll queries from staff and resolve them timeously.
  • Import Smartwage salary advances on the SA payrolls by the 15th of the month.
  • Handle supplier invoices/statements as needed and send them to the relevant stakeholders for payment/record-keeping purposes.
  • Submit monthly SARS EMP201 or any related tax reporting and arrange payments with the Treasury Team.
  • Submit annual and bi-annual PAYE reconciliations or any other tax reporting to SARS or any other tax authority timeously.
  • Develop reports using imported data from the payroll department as and when required.
  • Have good knowledge of the BCEA (as amended).
  • Submit monthly taxes, social security, etc., on the various online platforms for African countries and arrange for payments with the Treasury Team (where relevant).
  • Liaise with stakeholders and other appropriate third parties to resolve any queries they may have.
  • Supervise payroll personnel (when and where relevant).

Manage Information Systems (PaySpace):

  • Ensure prompt maintenance of staff records, including archiving and filing.
  • Assist with EE, WSP/ATR, DoL, and COIDA report preparations/submissions.
  • Complete StatsSA reports for various SA entities and submit to StatsSA each quarter before the due date.
  • Ensure that all employees’ information pertaining to their life cycle in the business is consistently updated.
  • Manage the support side of the system through conducting quality analysis to ensure data integrity.
  • Provide any ad hoc reports for management reporting.

Key Requirements

  • Grade 12 or equivalent (Essential)
  • B.Com degree in Human Resource Management (Payroll) or relevant NQF qualification
  • 5 years' experience in Payroll/Benefits and HR
  • 2 years' experience in Management
  • 5 years' experience with Payroll/HR Systems
  • 5 years' experience working with Payroll and Pay Structures across Africa; EU experience preferred
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Strong numerical skills
  • High level of accuracy and attention to detail
  • Excellent customer service skills
  • Assertiveness
  • Ability to work independently
  • Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality
  • Highly organized
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • The ability to apply planning techniques

Additional Skills

  • Results oriented
  • Time management
  • Attention to detail
  • Problem solving
  • Initiative

I am sure you are reading this job description and meet majority of the criteria BUT you may also still not be 100% comfortable in applying. We believe that there is a place for everyone under the Mukuru sun and we want YOU to contribute to our diverse tapestry of talent. So come on, take a leap of faith, and send your application if you meet majority of our requirements. Remember to include a snippet of how you will bring value and help us build a future of success that will help us determine where and how you may best be suited” Maybe you are just the future Mukurian we need!!


Should you be appointed in a remote/work from home role at Mukuru, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have uninterrupted internet connectivity and a ‘work-like’ environment at your home location, in order to deliver your best in terms of performance, productivity and service to our customers.

If you do not receive any response after two weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful.


NB: ALL STAFF APPOINTMENTS WILL BE MADE WITH DUE CONSIDERATION OF THE COMPANY’S DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION PLANS