Payroll Configuration Specialist

• Christchurch – Corporate Office - Oxford Terrace
• Permanent full-time position working 40 hours per week

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders. 

Join our team and play a pivotal role in ensuring payroll accuracy, compliance, and continuous improvement.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Configuration Specialist to provide assurance over all changes made to payroll system configurations. This role ensures compliance with key legislation including the Holidays Act, tax requirements, and other relevant regulations.

You will work closely with Systems, Payroll, and People & Culture teams to ensure robust processes are followed, changes are thoroughly tested, and documentation is accurate and up to date. You’ll also play a key advisory role in improving payroll processes and supporting the wider team through change. 

Key Responsibilities

Process & System Improvement

• Identify and implement opportunities for automation and efficiency
• Act as a subject matter expert for complex system and data issues
• Partner with system vendors to resolve issues and drive improvements
• Ensure systems and processes contribute to a positive employee experience

Training & Capability Development

• Maintain and regularly review payroll manuals and documentation
• Train HR Services and Payroll teams on best practices and protocols
• Support resolution of high-risk queries and ensure clear understanding of outcomes
• Lead training related to Holidays Act 2003 compliance and reconciliations
• Proactively upskill the Payroll team to ensure accurate and timely payments

Projects

• Provide subject matter expertise on payroll-related projects
• Support initiatives involving payroll data and system enhancements

Risk & Compliance Management

• Ensure robust controls and checks are in place to mitigate risk and detect fraud
• Develop and validate reporting to support payroll accuracy each pay cycle
• Ensure all system changes meet legislative requirements
• Oversee testing to confirm changes meet expected outcomes

Data Integrity & Testing

• Ensure payroll data integrity across systems (including PSe and Leader)
• Support configuration changes, including testing and validation
• Monitor exception reporting and resolve data anomalies 

About You

You are a detail-focused payroll professional with strong systems expertise and a passion for continuous improvement.

You will bring:

• A relevant tertiary qualification in IT, Payroll, or a related field
• At least 5 years’ experience in a large, complex payroll environment
• Strong knowledge of payroll legislation, including:
• Holidays Act 2003
• Wages Protection Act
• Parental Leave Act
• KiwiSaver Act
• Experience applying Te Tiriti o Waitangi in practice
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills (especially Excel)
• Proven experience in system configuration, testing, and quality assurance

Desirable experience:

• AMS Leader (Leave Management)
• PSe
• UKG Workforce Dimensions 

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities. 

How to Apply

To apply please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers’ portal. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Kerri McCarthy at Kerri.McCarthy@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.

Position description Apply now

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