Payroll Manager NZ

Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

KiwiSaver

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers is seeking a strategic Payroll Leader to oversee end-to-end NZ payroll for about 2,000 employees, reporting to the NZ Finance Manager. You will drive efficiency, implement new systems, and lead a high-performing team in a flexible, progressive corporate setting.

The role requires strong commercial acumen, Datapay or modern HCM system expertise, and a track record in coaching and change management.

Qualifications

• Strategic payroll leader with end-to-end NZ payroll expertise.
• Advanced Datapay or modern HCM systems proficiency.
• Strong commercial acumen beyond transactional payroll processing.
• Proven capability coaching, mentoring, and restructuring high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Drive end-to-end NZ payroll operations ensuring absolute compliance and accuracy.
• Lead, coach, and optimise a direct reporting team of three.
• Streamline payroll workflows, controls, and monthly payment cycles using Datapay.
• Evaluate, design, and implement continuous payroll process improvement across payroll systems.
• Partner with senior finance leaders to deliver strategic commercial insights.

Skills

Strategic payroll leadership

Datapay experience

Commercial acumen

Coaching & mentoring

Stakeholder communication

Tools

Datapay

HCM systems

Job description

About the Company
Representing a premier, multi-national consultancy with over 4,000 employees worldwide. Following a strategic geographical alignment, the business is restructuring its group functions to provide dedicated local operational focus. They foster an inclusive, high-performing culture driven by continuous improvement, innovation, and commercial excellence.
About the Role
Reporting directly to the NZ Finance Manager, this pivotal leadership role oversees end-to-end payroll operations for 2,000 New Zealand employees. Offering up to $150k (experience dependent) + $10k bonus + KiwiSaver, you will drive process efficiency, optimise new systems, and lead a high-performing team. This role suits a commercially minded leader seeking high ownership, strategic influence, and flexible working arrangements in a progressive corporate environment.
Key Responsibilities

• Drive end-to-end NZ payroll operations ensuring absolute compliance and accuracy.
• Lead, coach, and optimise a direct reporting team of three.
• Streamline payroll workflows, controls, and monthly payment cycles using Datapay.
• Evaluate, design, and implement continuous process improvement across payroll systems.
• Partner with senior finance leaders to deliver strategic commercial insights.

So Who Are You And What Is Your Profile?

• Strategic payroll leader skilled in system implementation and workflow optimization.
• Advanced technical proficiency in Datapay or modern HCM systems.
• Strong commercial acumen beyond standard transaction-focused payroll processing.
• Proven capability coaching, mentoring, and restructuring high-performing teams.
• Exceptional stakeholder communication and change management capability.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary up to $150k + $10k annual bonus + KiwiSaver.
• Flexible working arrangements supporting healthy work-life balance.
• High-impact leadership role shaping process optimisation for a payroll of 2,000 employees.
• Modern tools and systems following recent tech transformation and upgrades.
• Supportive corporate culture committed to professional growth and diversity.

**Studies have shown that women and people from under-represented backgrounds are less likely to apply for roles where they don't match the job description criteria exactly. If you're excited about this role, but your experience aligns less than 100%, we encourage you to apply.**