Payroll Lead

About Woodside Energy

We know great results come from our people feeling valued, getting the support they need to reach their full potential as well as bring their whole self to work. We also recognize that enduring, meaningful relationships with communities are fundamental to maintaining our license to operate.

Technology and innovation are essential to our long-term sustainability. We are growing our carbon and new energy businesses using technology to reduce emissions and the carbon footprint of our products. We are working to improve energy efficiency, offset emissions, reduce emissions intensity and explore options for lower-carbon energy. Woodside led the development of the LNG industry in Australia and is applying this same pioneering spirit to solving future energy challenges.

About the Role:

We are seeking a detail-oriented and dependable Payroll Lead to oversee payroll operations across the Americas, ensuring efficient, accurate, and compliant execution of all processes. This role is responsible for leading core HR operations including payroll administration, records management, and enquiry resolution, while guiding regional HR Operations team members in partnership with the Workforce Admin & Payroll Manager. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with counterparts in Australia to align practices, drive consistency, and support continuous improvement initiatives. They will manage payroll controls, support system upgrades, and work cross-functionally with HR, Finance, and external partners to resolve issues and maintain data integrity.

Strong stakeholder engagement is essential, particularly with HR Business Partners, Centers of Excellence, and technology teams. The ideal candidate brings strong leadership skills, deep payroll compliance knowledge across jurisdictions, and a customer-focused mindset. Proficiency in payroll systems, excellent communication and analytical abilities, and a proactive, organized approach are key to delivering timely and accurate payroll services. As the role involves regular collaboration with colleagues in Australia, flexibility to work outside standard local business hours is required to support cross-regional communication.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Manage the execution of HR core operational process and payroll tasks and processes in America, including:




• Payroll Processing and Administration
• Employee onboarding and offboarding
• Records Management
• Enquiry Management




• Lead and guide the regional Payroll team members in the Americas.
• Work closely with its counterpart in Australia (Manager Workforce Admin & Payroll AU) to share and drive best practice.
• Implement and maintain payroll controls and procedures to minimize risk
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and support payroll system upgrades or migrations.
• Manage and mentor payroll staff, providing training and development opportunities.
• Ensure effective responses for Tier 1 queries in the Americas, collaborating with regional HRBPs to resolve Tier 2 queries and keep the single point of accountability to resolve Tier 3 queries with HR Business Partners or CoEs.
• Support the implementation and adoption of technology systems that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of HR services.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date employee records while ensuring confidentiality, security and compliance.
• Resolve payroll discrepancies and address escalated employee inquiries related to payroll matters.
• Optimise the execution of processes to enhance efficiency and productivity, collaborating with CoEs to maintain the effectiveness of the outcomes.
• Stay abreast of relevant employment laws and regulations to ensure compliance, collaborating with the Rewards, Mobility and Performance CoE and ER/IR CoE when needed.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, and external partners to resolve payroll issues and maintain data integrity
• Liaise with vendors that could provide the capacity and capability to execute work.

Skills:

• Payroll Expertise: Deep understanding of payroll processes, systems, and compliance requirements.
• Leadership & Team Management: Ability to lead, mentor, and develop payroll staff.
• Analytical Skills: Strong problem-solving abilities and attention to detail for identifying discrepancies and improving processes.
• Communication: Clear and professional communication with internal teams, external vendors, and employees.
• Tech Proficiency: Skilled in payroll software (e.g., SAP, ADP, Workday) and Excel; comfortable with system upgrades and integrations.
• Project Management: Capable of managing multiple priorities, deadlines, and improvement initiatives.
• Discretion & Integrity: Trusted to handle sensitive employee data with confidentiality and professionalism.

Experience:

• Demonstrated experience managing payroll operations in the U.S. as well as across multiple regions or countries.
• Experience implementing payroll controls and ensuring compliance with employment laws.
• Background in leading payroll teams and collaborating with HR, Finance, and external partners.
• Familiarity with continuous improvement initiatives and system migrations or upgrades.
• Exposure to working in a complex, matrixed organization with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field.

Recognition & Reward:

What you can expect from us:

• Commitment to your ongoing development, including on-the-job opportunities, formal programs, coaching and mentoring
• Industry-leading 18weeks' paid parental leave for primary carer and secondary carer leave entitlements
• Flexible public holidays, religious & cultural leave
• Values led culture
• Active employee community groups for gender equality, reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, and LGBTI+ staff and allies, and Neurodiversity
• Community volunteering opportunities
• A competitive remuneration package featuring performance-based incentives and above-industry superannuation contributions

Woodside is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce culture, which is supported by our Values. Our aim is to attract, develop and retain a truly diverse and high-performing workforce.

Diversity encompasses differences in age, nationality, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, intersex status, gender identity or expression, relationship status, disability, neurodiversity, cultural background, thinking styles, experience, family background, including caregiving commitments, and education. Inclusion centers on all employees creating a climate of trust and belonging, where people feel comfortable to bring their whole self to work.

We offer supportive pathways for all employees to grow and develop leadership skills.

Woodside Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

Applications close at 11:59pm CST on Friday, October 17th 2025.

ClickAPPLYto submit your application