Assistant Director – PERSAL & Establishment Control

About the role

The Department of the Premier, Western Cape Government is seeking an Assistant Director to lead its PERSAL (payroll) and Establishment Control function. The successful candidate will oversee payroll processing, manage establishment data, and support organisational changes that affect the system.

Key responsibilities

• Administer and maintain the PERSAL payroll system ensuring accurate and timely processing of salaries.
• Control establishment data, including staffing numbers, grades, and budget allocations.
• Analyse the impact of organisational restructuring on payroll and establishment records.
• Provide guidance to departments on payroll policies, procedures and compliance requirements.
• Collaborate with finance, HR and IT teams to resolve system issues and implement enhancements.
• Prepare regular reports on payroll expenditures and establishment metrics for senior management.

Required profile

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Human Resources, Public Administration, Finance or a related field.
• Proven experience in payroll administration and establishment control, preferably within the public sector.
• Strong analytical abilities and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work with cross‑functional teams.

Required skills