Danielle Caruso
Bundoora,Vic.
Summary
Experienced and self-motivated Payroll and Human Resources professional. I have worked in payroll for over 20 years in Not for Profit, corporate, and retail industries. Systems champion with experience across several platforms and fast learner. Passion for system and workflow change, working closely with all key stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes and solutions. Empathetic HR professional with a people first approach and strong stakeholder management skills.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Human Resources and Payroll Operations Manager
The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
Parkville, VIC
01.2023 - Current
- Working as the Head of Payroll as well as managing the operations of the HR full lifecycle, such as onboarding, offboarding, recruitment, inbox management, and all staff variations.
- Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members.
- Resolved staff member conflicts, actively listening to concerns and finding appropriate middle ground.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by resolving disputes promptly, maintaining open lines of communication, and ensuring high-quality service delivery.
- Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.
- Built high-performing teams through effective recruitment, onboarding, and talent development initiatives.
- Managed and motivated employees to be productive and engaged in work.
- Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
- Improved recruitment to attract larger candidate pools and promote the institute.
Head of Payroll and Staff Benefits
The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
Parkville, VIC
01.2022 - 12.2022
- Managing the payroll department and working closely with HR to streamline the workflow between the departments
- Implemented a new better customer service salary packaging provider.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
Head of Payroll
The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
Parkville, VIC
01.2017 - 12.2021
- Managed the payroll department and worked closely with the HR and finance teams
- Assisted with the implementation of the new payroll system and ESS online platform and training
- Set up the new costing system and conducted all the training.
- Managed a team of payroll specialists, providing guidance and support for the effective execution of all payroll functions.
- Maintained confidentiality of sensitive employee information while managing personnel records securely within HRIS systems.
- Contributed to overall organizational growth by participating in cross-functional projects and sharing payroll expertise with other departments as needed.
- Established clear communication channels between the Payroll department and Human Resources, streamlining procedures related to employee information updates.
- Enhanced employee satisfaction with timely and accurate payroll processing, ensuring adherence to company policies and legal regulations.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with internal departments, fostering collaboration to ensure seamless payroll operations.
- Resolved complex payroll inquiries from staff members in a professional manner while maintaining high levels of customer service quality standards.
- Audited payroll data regularly to maintain accuracy, identifying discrepancies and resolving issues promptly.
Personal Assistant
The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
Heidelberg, VIC
04.2015 - 01.2017
- Worked for the Head of Stroke, successfully organised three 3-day stroke forums
- Assisted for 4 grant applications
- Also, on occasion managed the professors' personal affairs.
- Oversaw personal and professional calendars and coordinated appointments for future events.
- Provided general administrative support including scheduling meetings, making travel arrangements and managing documentation.
- Displayed absolute discretion at handling confidential information.
- Coordinated events and functions with attention to detail ensuring successful execution.
Finance Project Manager
The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
Parkville, VIC
01.2014 - 01.2017
- Worked in this role 1-2 days per week alongside my personal assistant role
- In this time, I was backup for the Payroll Manager and the finance team
- I ran projects such as the new credit card system, excessive leave management, worked on Grant Acquittals and balanced reconciliation.
Human Resources Administrator and Payroll Project Manager
The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
Heidelberg, VIC
03.2013 - 11.2013
- This was a short-term role where I was the HR Administrator and continued my role as project manager.
- Handled on-boarding process for newly hired employees, which included distribution of all paperwork.
- Addressed employee conflicts with appropriate urgency, following all corporate procedures.
- Prepared new hire letters, employee contracts, and corporate policies.
Payroll Administrator
The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
Heidelberg, VIC
02.2012 - 12.2012
- With the new payroll system only just created, I set up ongoing management reporting and payroll audits
- I assisted with the update of General ledger reporting from the payroll system into the finance system.
Payroll Supervisor
AM Solutions (My Chemist, Chemist Warehouse, My Beauty Spot & Discount Vitamin Warehouse)
Preston, VIC
05.2010 - 02.2012
- Supervised 10 staff and was backup for any staff who were on leave
- I worked at the payroll managers support where assistance was required
- Process all the system administration of the yearly annual increments and allowances changes.
Payroll Officer
Pacific Brands
Richmond, VIC
09.2008 - 04.2010
- Contract role and without career growth, large transactional payroll processing.
- Managed payroll data entry and processing for 800 employees to comply with predetermined company guidelines.
- Provided exceptional customer service by responding to employee inquiries regarding payslips, deductions, taxes, and benefits in a timely manner.
- Maintained confidentiality by securely storing sensitive employee information according to established data protection protocols.
- Offered payroll-related subject matter expertise to management and employees to resolve payroll discrepancies.
- Uploaded time records into computer system and made adjustments to create accurate database for payroll processing functions.
Payroll Officer
Country Road Pty Ltd
Richmond, VIC
01.2008 - 09.2008
- Large payroll processing and end of month reporting
- Processed all end of month deductions.
- Managed payroll data entry and processing for 700 employees to comply with predetermined company guidelines.
Payroll Officer, Wages Support
Talent2 (Myer Payroll)
Melbourne, VIC
10.2007 - 01.2008
- Processing Terminations, Entering new starters, Phone queries from store managers, Processing adjustments, Standard pay runs, General email queries, General employee changes / amendments.
Payroll Officer
Computershare Limited
Abbotsford, VIC
11.2005 - 10.2007
- Process payroll, start to end
- Setting up new employees
- Process leaves, leave adjustments and reconciliations
- Deal with employee queries, internal and external, in a timely manner
- Calculating and processing timesheets
- Processing transactions, data entry
- Calculation terminations / redundancies
- Streamlining procedures.
Accounts Receivable/Payable and Administration Clerk/Payroll Officer
Lotosland Pty Ltd (Bedroom Furniture)
06.2004 - 11.2005
- Accounts Payable/Receivable, Administration, answering phone, mail outs, monthly statements, Monthly Business Activity Statement's, Quarterly Superannuation, Bank Reconciliations (weekly), Assist in customer service, Assist in Sales.
Education
General Management Program -
MBS
01.2022
Payroll Advanced Masterclass -
TAPS, Melbourne
01.2020
Superannuation and Salary Packaging & FBT -
TAPS, Melbourne
01.2018
Termination course -
TAPS, Melbourne
01.2017
Payroll Fundamentals -
TAPS, Melbourne
01.2016
Advanced Diploma in Accounting -
NMIT
01.2004
Skills
- Team Leadership
- Time Management
- Verbal and written communication
- Complex Problem-Solving
References
Upon request
Timeline
Human Resources and Payroll Operations Manager
The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
01.2023 - Current
Head of Payroll and Staff Benefits
The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
01.2022 - 12.2022
Head of Payroll
The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
01.2017 - 12.2021
Personal Assistant
The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
04.2015 - 01.2017
Finance Project Manager
The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
01.2014 - 01.2017
Human Resources Administrator and Payroll Project Manager
The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
03.2013 - 11.2013
Payroll Administrator
The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
02.2012 - 12.2012
Payroll Supervisor
AM Solutions (My Chemist, Chemist Warehouse, My Beauty Spot & Discount Vitamin Warehouse)
05.2010 - 02.2012
Payroll Officer
Pacific Brands
09.2008 - 04.2010
Payroll Officer
Country Road Pty Ltd
01.2008 - 09.2008
Payroll Officer, Wages Support
Talent2 (Myer Payroll)
10.2007 - 01.2008
Payroll Officer
Computershare Limited
11.2005 - 10.2007
Accounts Receivable/Payable and Administration Clerk/Payroll Officer
Lotosland Pty Ltd (Bedroom Furniture)
06.2004 - 11.2005
General Management Program -
MBS
Payroll Advanced Masterclass -
TAPS, Melbourne
Superannuation and Salary Packaging & FBT -
TAPS, Melbourne
Termination course -
TAPS, Melbourne
Payroll Fundamentals -
TAPS, Melbourne
Advanced Diploma in Accounting -
NMIT