Overview
Head of Payroll – Africa Zone Jobs in Sandton, Gauteng, South Africa at AB InBev Africa
Title: Head of Payroll – Africa Zone
Company: AB InBev Africa
Location: Sandton, Gauteng, South Africa
Dreaming big is in our DNA.
At AB InBev, we’re built on a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement. We push boundaries, act like owners, and empower our people to make a real impact.
We’re looking for a Head of Payroll – Africa Zone to join our team and lead one of the most critical functions in our People and Finance ecosystem—ensuring every colleague across 12 countries is paid accurately, on time, and in full compliance with local and global standards.
Why this role matters
This is not a traditional payroll role. It’s a strategic leadership position at the heart of our transformation agenda—driving standardization, automation, and operational excellence across a complex, multi-country environment.
You’ll play a key role in shaping payroll strategy, strengthening governance, and elevating the employee experience at scale while partnering with senior leaders across Africa.
What you’ll own
Strategy, Governance & Impact
- Define and lead the Africa Zone payroll strategy aligned to global People Services and Finance frameworks
- Own payroll governance, risk, controls, and compliance across 12 African markets
- Act as the trusted escalation point for senior leadership
Operational Excellence
- Lead end-to-end payroll delivery across salaries, incentives, bonuses, and statutory payments
- Ensure precise, timely payroll execution and sign-offs across all markets
- Drive SLA adherence, process standardization, and continuous improvement
Compliance & Control
- Ensure full compliance with all local payroll, tax, and employment legislation
- Lead audit readiness and manage regulatory engagements across jurisdictions
- Strengthen financial controls, reconciliations, and reporting integrity
Transformation & Innovation
- Own payroll systems strategy (SAP HR, Payspace or equivalent)
- Drive automation, digitization, and harmonization across markets
- Lead transformation initiatives that improve efficiency and reduce cost
Leadership & Collaboration
- Lead and develop a high-performing, multi-country payroll team
- Build capability, accountability, and a strong control mindset
- Partner with People and Finance leaders across the Zone to deliver impact
What we’re looking for
You’re a strategic operator with strong execution discipline, comfortable navigating complexity across multiple markets.
- 8–12+ years of payroll experience, including multi-country environments
- Proven leadership experience managing teams at scale
- Deep expertise in payroll governance, compliance, and financial controls
- Strong understanding of African payroll legislation and regulatory environments
- Experience with large-scale payroll systems (SAP HR, Payspace, or similar)
What makes you a great fit
- You challenge the status quo and think beyond “how it’s always been done”
- You balance big-picture strategy with operational excellence
- You have a strong ownership mindset and take accountability for outcomes
- You thrive in fast-paced, high-performance environments
- You lead with integrity, precision, and a strong control orientation
What you can expect from us
- A fast-paced, high-impact environment where you can own your results
- Opportunities to lead large-scale transformation initiatives
- A culture that values talent, meritocracy, and continuous growth
- The chance to shape payroll excellence across one of our most diverse regions
Ready to lead payroll transformation across Africa? Apply now and bring your ambition to life with AB InBev.