Advisor, Payroll

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KiwiSaver 4%

Vision assistance

Flu vaccinations

Employee assistance

Job summary

The Civil Aviation Authority is seeking an Advisor, Payroll to ensure accurate, on-time payroll processing across the organisation. You will work with the Manager, Payroll and a wider payroll team to interpret employment agreements and payroll legislation, maintain records, and support payroll compliance and continuous improvement.

This fixed-term role runs until February 2027 and offers a collaborative, detail‑driven environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in payroll administration or a similar operational support role.
• Understanding of payroll legislation and employment-related requirements.
• Ability to interpret and apply policies, agreements, and payroll rules accurately.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to delivering high-quality work.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Deliver accurate and timely payroll administration and processing services
• Interpret and apply employment agreements and payroll legislation
• Maintain payroll records and employee information with a high level of accuracy
• Process employee commencements, changes, and terminations efficiently
• Validate payroll data and resolve discrepancies before pay runs
• Process employee expense claims and payroll variations
• Provide responsive payroll advice and support to managers and staff
• Liaise with external agencies including Inland Revenue and ACC as required
• Support payroll-related projects and business improvement initiatives
• Contribute to payroll compliance, quality assurance, and process enhancements

Skills

Payroll administration

Payroll legislation

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Tools

Payroll systems

HRIS

Job description

The Civil Aviation Authority and the Aviation Security Service offer distinctively different career opportunities and embrace diverse talent. All jobs at the Authority contribute to ensuring safe and secure skies to help New Zealand fly. The Civil Aviation Authority is the regulatory arm of our organisation and the Aviation Security Service is the nationwide provider for aviation security.

Advisor, Payroll At the Civil Aviation Authority, we don't just keep New Zealand's skies safe and secure, we help shape the future of aviation. Help deliver accurate payroll services across the organisation Build expertise in payroll legislation and compliance Join a collaborative team supporting people across CAA

About the Role

As Advisor, Payroll, you'll play an important role in ensuring our people are paid accurately and on time. Working closely with the Manager, Payroll, the wider payroll team, People and Capability, and staff across CAA, you'll provide trusted payroll administration and advice while helping maintain compliance with payroll legislation and employment agreements. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys detail-oriented work, building strong relationships, and contributing to continuous improvement in a supportive team environment.

Please note this is a fixed term contract till February 2027.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver accurate and timely payroll administration and processing services
• Interpret and apply employment agreements and payroll legislation
• Maintain payroll records and employee information with a high level of accuracy
• Process employee commencements, changes, and terminations efficiently
• Validate payroll data and resolve discrepancies before pay runs
• Process employee expense claims and payroll variations
• Provide responsive payroll advice and support to managers and staff
• Liaise with external agencies including Inland Revenue and ACC as required
• Support payroll-related projects and business improvement initiatives
• Contribute to payroll compliance, quality assurance, and process enhancements

Salary Section

The salary band for this role is $65,340 - $79,560. Starting salaries are based on knowledge, skills and experience the successful candidate brings to the role, as well as internal relativities. For more information on the role please view the position description.

What You'll Bring

You'll be someone who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment where accuracy, customer service, and continuous improvement matter. You'll bring strong organisational skills, a proactive approach, and the ability to build positive working relationships while managing confidential information with care and professionalism. To succeed in this role you'll demonstrate:

• Experience in payroll administration or a similar operational support role
• Understanding of payroll legislation and employment-related requirements
• Ability to interpret and apply policies, agreements, and payroll rules accurately
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to delivering high-quality work
• Confidence working with payroll systems and business software applications
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet regular deadlines
• Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to resolving issues
• Commitment to providing outstanding customer service to internal stakeholders
• Enthusiasm for learning, adapting to change, and contributing to continuous improvement

About Us

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is New Zealand's aviation safety and security regulator. We play a critical role in protecting the travelling public, supporting the aviation sector, and strengthening New Zealand's international reputation. Our vision is simple and powerful: A safe and secure aviation system - so people are safe, and feel safe when they fly. Our values - Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Transparency, and Collaboration - guide everything we do. We're committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and supportive environment where everyone feels respected, safe, and valued. Our people are central to our success.

Why Join Us?

• Matching KiwiSaver contributions up to 4%
• Vision assistance
• Flu vaccinations
• Employee Assistance Programme

Applications close: Sunday 13/09/2026