Senior Payroll Specialist
Wellington, NZ
Help shape the future of Education
We work to shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes
Our organisation is made up of talented and committed people around Aotearoa, from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. While we work in different groups and on different things, we all strive every day to make the biggest difference we can for our students in our education system.
About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga
Join a team where accuracy matters, expertise is valued, and your work makes a difference to thousands of employees across Aotearoa.
Are you a payroll professional who thrives on solving complex challenges, delivering exceptional service, and being the go-to expert in your field?
We’re looking for an experienced Senior Payroll Specialist to play a critical role in ensuring the accurate and timely delivery of payroll services within a large and complex organisation. This is an opportunity to bring your specialist knowledge to a collaborative, high performing team, while coaching others, influencing best practice and helping drive continuous improvement across payroll operations.
Salary range: $74,815 - $90,347 per annum plus KiwiSaver. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience.
For more details about the role, you can view the Job Description here
About you | Mōhou ake
We are looking for a highly capable payroll professional with a passion for accuracy, customer service and continuous improvement. You will enjoy working through complex payroll scenarios, providing trusted advice and building strong relationships across the organisation.
Ideally you will possess:
- Previous knowledge of SAP payroll processing or similar
- Experience in running a fortnightly pay process, out of cycle payments and pay day filing processes
- Experience working with complex payroll calculations
- Strong technical knowledge of payroll legislation, including the Holidays Act, Employment Relations Act, Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act and associated payroll obligations
- Experience providing expert advice and delivering exceptional customer service in a high-volume environment while consistently meeting service standards
- The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.
In this role you’ll be a subject matter expert, providing specialist advice, resolving complex issues, influencing best practice and helping ensure employees are paid accurately and on time. This is a full-time Wellington based role and we offer flexible working in a supportive and collaborative team environment.
About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake
The People Services team is a made up of a diverse group of people, committed to efficient processes that are practical, providing great customer service and having fun while we’re at it. You’ll be joining a team who help each other out, love learning and manage flexibility well.
Are you ready to make a difference? | Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi?
If this opportunity interests you, please submit your Cover Letter and resume by using the ‘Apply' button. In your Cover Letter we’d like to know about you, your values, or anything else you’d like to share. We’re keen to understand your motivations, strengths, transferable skills, and the diverse perspectives you will bring to the role.
For further information, please contact Ditas Tirados, Team Leader Payroll at: ditas.tirados@education.govt.nz
Applications close at Midnight – Monday, 20 July 2026
We want our people to feel valued for their unique qualities and have a sense of belonging. If you require assistance or adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.
