Payroll and Superannuation Manager

This is a permanent vacancy based in our offices in Dublin 2. The Housing Agency operates a Blended Working Policy. It is proposed to form a panel of qualified candidates, to fill any suitable vacancies that may arise during the lifetime of the panel.

The Payroll & Superannuation Manager is responsible for organisation and management of all aspects of a section or sections including staff. They will be expected to work closely with colleagues to ensure that the activities of The Housing Agency are effectively coordinated and delivered. The post holder will be directly accountable for the work of the staff reporting to them. The person appointed will have excellent interpersonal, communication, negotiating and decision-making skills.

Main Duties

• Manage the end-to-end delivery of the Agency’s fortnightly payroll, ensuring accurate and timely processing of pay, deductions, allowances, expenses through payroll, and all routine payroll adjustments.

• Administer all payroll changes relating to starters, leavers, contract changes, increments, overtime/TOIL arrangements (where applicable), unpaid leave, and other employee lifecycle events, ensuring appropriate approvals and documentation are in place.

• Maintain operational ownership of the payroll system (e.g., Micropay), including control over pay runs, checks, and secure processing routines.

• Act as the primary point of contact for payroll queries, managing the payroll inbox, resolving issues within agreed timeframes, and ensuring a high standard of customer service to employees and managers.

• Manage the Agency’s monthly pension payroll and associated administration, ensuring correct calculations, deductions, payments, and record-keeping for pensioners.

• Liaise with HR/Finance and relevant external bodies on superannuation matters, ensuring consistent application of pension/payroll rules and timely processing of changes.

• Ensure full compliance with payroll-related statutory obligations, including timely and accurate statutory returns (including ECF) and adherence to relevant policies, procedures, and circulars/guidance.

• Own and continuously improve payroll internal controls (segregation of duties, audit trails, approvals, reconciliations, exception reporting), maintaining a strong control environment appropriate to a core organisational control function.

• Maintain secure handling of payroll data, ensuring GDPR-aligned practices, appropriate access controls, and confidentiality across all payroll and pension records.

• Prepare payroll-related reports and analysis to support Finance and organisational management, including salary costings and support to workforce planning as required.

• Lead payroll year-end processes, including reconciliations, reporting, and coordination with Finance on figures required for the Agency’s Financial Statements.

• Serve as payroll lead for audit queries (internal/external), ensuring timely provision of accurate information, clear explanations, and evidence packs.

• Plan, prioritise, and manage the payroll workload to ensure consistent delivery of payroll outputs, especially during peak periods (pay runs, year-end, audits).

• Provide supervision, guidance, and on-the-job training to payroll support staff (where assigned), setting clear objectives, monitoring performance, and supporting development.

• Lead or contribute to corporate initiatives impacting payroll (e.g., policy implementation, controls strengthening, process redesign), ensuring cross-functional alignment with HR, Finance, and Governance/Compliance.

• Identify opportunities to streamline payroll processes and improve data quality, accuracy, turnaround times, and user experience—implementing standardised procedures and documenting end-to-end workflows.

• Maintain and test business continuity arrangements for payroll, reducing key-person dependency and ensuring resilience in payroll delivery.

• Proactively identify payroll risks (processing, compliance, systems, fraud/error), implement mitigations, and escalate significant issues appropriately through management channels.

• Carry out other related duties appropriate to the role and Grade 7 level as assigned from time to time.

Essential Requirements

• A relevant qualification (e.g. IPASS Certificate in Payroll Techniques)

• Minimum 3 years’ current experience as a payroll administrator

• Minimum 3 years’ supervisory experience in a payroll setting

Competencies

• Management & Delivery of Results - successfully manages a range of different projects and work activities at the same time.

• Analysis and Decision Making – gathers and analyses information from relevant sources, whether financial, numerical or otherwise, weighing up a range of critical factors

• Team Leadership – leads the team by example, coaching and supporting individuals as required.

• Interpersonal and Communication Skills – builds and maintains relationships with key stakeholders, working within diverse teams, preparing, and presenting reports to key stakeholders.

• IT Skills - A working knowledge/understanding of IT systems including Microsoft Office packages

• Specialist Knowledge – comprehensive working knowledge of payroll and pension payroll operations: statutory deductions and returns, Revenue requirements, overtime/leave adjustments, reconciliations, year-end processes, internal controls, and GDPR-grade confidentiality

Salary Scale – Administrative Officer LA Scales

€60,611 - €62,095 - €63,826 - €65,563 - €67,300 - €68,852 - €70,442 - €71,982 - €73,518

LSI1 €76,149 LSI2 €78,795

New entrants will be appointed on the first point of the scale in line with government policy. Different terms and conditions may apply if immediately before appointment you are a currently serving civil/public servant.

Eligibility to compete:

Candidates should note that eligibility to compete is open to citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union along with Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Swiss citizens under EU agreements may also apply. To qualify candidates must be citizens of the EEA by the date of any job offer. Eligible candidates must be:

a) A citizen of the European Economic Area. The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

b) A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or

c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

d) A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa; or

e) A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a stamp 4 visa; or

f) A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa.

Application Procedure

Candidates must provide:

An up-to-date CV and a detailed cover letter (maximum two pages). Your cover letter should clearly outline your suitability for the role and demonstrate how your relevant experience and skills align with the duties and requirements set out in this job specification.