Payroll Officer

PAE; Lower Hutt; Hybrid; NZD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

PAE New Zealand is seeking a Payroll Officer to join our Finance Team in Wellington. This full-time role offers a people-focused, hands-on opportunity to own the payroll process and ensure compliance with NZ legislation.

If you thrive on accuracy, enjoy resolving queries, and can coordinate with managers and HR to keep timesheets and records up to date, this is your chance to make a real impact. You will manage cycles for about 450 staff, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and provide

Qualifications

• 5+ years of payroll experience.
• Strong knowledge of NZ employment legislation.
• Advanced Excel and financial systems proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Own the fortnightly, weekly and one-off payroll process for approximately 450 staff, ensuring accuracy and NZ compliance.
• Collaborate with managers to get timesheets approved on time.
• Manage employee records from starters to terminations and deductions.
• Provide timely advice on payroll, leave entitlements and pay queries.
• Ensure payroll data is accurate, secure and up-to-date.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to troubleshoot payroll-related challenges.

Skills

Payroll processing

Advanced Excel

NZ employment legislation

Tools

Payroll software

Excel

Job description

• Make an impact in this flexible, people-focused role!
• Partner with cross functional teams

About Us

At PAE New Zealand, we’re all about keeping the world working and moving. As one of the country’s leading providers of Facilities Management services, we support some of Aotearoa’s most vital operations. Whether it’s the New Zealand Defence Force, local businesses, or Antarctic missions, our work behind the scenes keeps everything running smoothly.

Our values guide everything we do:

• We Care: for people, safety, and doing the right thing.
• We Do What’s Right: with integrity and teamwork.
• We Go The Extra Mile: solving challenges with determination.
• We Bring Our Best: with passion, ownership, and expertise.
• We’re Part of the Bigger Picture: embracing sustainability, community, and inclusion.

The Role

Are you ready to own the payroll process and make it seamless? We’re looking for a detail-focused and pragmaticFull-Time Payroll Officerto join our Finance Team.

If you love working with people, solving problems with a can-do attitude, and taking pride in delivering accurate results, this is your chance to make a real difference.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Owning the fortnightly, weekly and one-off payroll process for approx. 450 staff, ensuring precision and compliance with NZ legislation.
• Collaborating with managers to get timesheets approved on time.
• Managing employee records, from starters and terminations to deductions.
• Providing timely advice on payroll, leave entitlements, and pay queries.
• Ensuring payroll data is accurate, secure, and up to date.
• Partnering with cross-functional teams to troubleshoot and resolve payroll-related challenges.

What You’ll Bring

• At least five years of payroll experience with a strong understanding of NZ employment legislation.
• Advanced Excel skills and proficiency with financial systems.
• An eagle eye for accuracy and a knack for managing multiple priorities.
• Excellent communication skills to explain complex issues clearly.
• A pragmatic, solutions-focused approach to resolving challenges.
• A genuine passion for supporting people and achieving positive outcomes.

Why Join PAE?

At PAE, we value the contributions of every team member. When you join us, you’ll enjoy:

• A supportive team environment where your skills are recognized.
• The opportunity to work on meaningful projects that keep Aotearoa moving.
• A workplace that celebrates diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity for all.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We believe in the strength of diverse perspectives and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.