Payroll Technical and Compliance Specialist

• Christchurch – Oxford Terrace
• Permanent full time 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.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Technical and Compliance Specialist to provide technical expertise and assurance across payroll systems, configuration changes and legislative compliance.

In this important role, you will ensure payroll system changes are thoroughly tested, validated and compliant with relevant legislation, including the Holidays Act 2003 and other employment and tax requirements. You will work closely with the Payroll Systems team and wider People and Culture (P&C) teams to maintain data integrity, strengthen controls and ensure payroll processes deliver accurate and timely payments.

As a subject matter expert, you will also support training, resolve complex payroll and system issues, contribute to projects and identify opportunities to improve processes through automation and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide assurance that payroll system configuration changes comply with relevant employment, tax and payroll legislation.
• Oversee testing, quality assurance and documentation validation for payroll system changes, ensuring outcomes meet requirements before implementation.
• Monitor payroll data integrity across PSe, Leader and Workforce Dimensions (WFD), investigating discrepancies and addressing data anomalies.
• Develop, review and validate regular payroll exception reports and pay-cycle checks to identify errors, inconsistencies and potential risks.
• Ensure appropriate controls and checks are in place to minimise payroll errors, detect potential fraud and manage compliance risks.
• Support Holidays Act 2003 compliance reconciliations and explain outcomes to employees, managers and payroll teams.
• Provide technical advice and resolve complex payroll system and data issues.
• Review payroll procedures and manuals and deliver training to strengthen team capability and ensure consistent practices.
• Identify opportunities to automate processes, improve system functionality and enhance the efficiency of payroll operations.
• Liaise with system vendors and relevant stakeholders to resolve issues and support ongoing system improvements.
• Provide specialist payroll advice and expertise to projects involving payroll systems, processes or data.
• Advise the Payroll and wider P&C teams on process changes arising from legislative updates and system enhancements.

About You

You will be an experienced payroll professional with strong technical knowledge, a sound understanding of legislative compliance and the ability to analyse complex system and data issues. You will be confident working with multiple stakeholders, providing clear advice and supporting teams to achieve accurate, compliant payroll outcomes.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• A relevant graduate or postgraduate qualification in IT or a related discipline.
• At least five years' payroll experience within a large, complex payroll environment.
• A sound understanding of payroll legislation, including the Holidays Act 2003, Wages Protection Act, Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act, and KiwiSaver Act.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Experience with payroll system testing, data validation, reconciliations and quality assurance.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to investigate complex payroll issues and identify practical solutions.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to explain technical and legislative matters clearly to different audiences.
• A commitment to implementing Te Tiriti o Waitangi in practice.

Experience with AMS Leader Leave Manager, PSe and UKG Workforce Dimensions would be advantageous.

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 career’s 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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