Payroll, People Data and Remuneration Lead

Selwyn District Council; Rolleston; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life insurance

Wellbeing and volunteer leave

Three days additional paid leave

Two weeks' paid partner leave

Sick leave from day one

Continued KiwiSaver contributions

Discounts with local and national BOS

Job summary

Selwyn District Council in Canterbury, New Zealand, seeks a Payroll, People Data and Remuneration Lead to lead our payroll and data teams and shape our remuneration strategy. This senior role will drive data-informed decisions, oversee payroll for 650+ staff, and guide the HRIS implementation and reporting improvements.

You will collaborate across the People Team, ensuring compliance with NZ payroll legislation, building strong stakeholder relationships, and delivering accurate, timely payroll

Qualifications

• Experience leading payroll and people data functions.
• Strong knowledge of NZ payroll legislation and employment law.
• Ability to translate data into practical insights for decision-making.
• Experience implementing or upgrading HRIS and related reporting.
• Proven ability to lead teams to achieve goals within a values-based framework.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the payroll and data specialist team with a focus on accuracy and continuous improvement.
• Oversee payroll delivery for 650+ employees across fortnightly and monthly cycles.
• Lead the remuneration framework including annual salary reviews and benefits.
• Analyze data to inform workforce planning, reporting and strategic decisions.
• Play a hands-on role in implementing a new HRIS and improve data integrity.

Skills

Leadership

Data analytics

Advanced Excel

Remuneration frameworks

HRIS implementation

Process improvement

Communication

Change management

Tools

HRIS

Job description

Payroll, People Data and Remuneration Lead

We're looking for a motivated and focused Payroll, People Data and Remuneration Lead to join our People Team. This is a varied leadership role where you'll lead our payroll function, support the development and implementation of our remuneration strategy and strengthen how we use people data to support better decision-making.

It's also an exciting time to join us as we are in the final stages of selecting a new HRIS, and this role will be central to helping shape the system, implementation approach and future ways of working for our people data, payroll and reporting processes.

You'll be joining a trusted, established people leadership team that brings energy, humour and care to their work, while genuinely backing each other every step of the way.

About the role

• Lead and support our payroll and data specialist team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development
• Oversee accurate and timely payroll delivery, including fortnightly and monthly pay runs for 650+ employees
• Lead our remuneration framework, including the annual salary review process, employee benefits and job evaluation support
• Analyse and interpret data to generate insights that inform workforce planning, reporting and strategic decision-making
• Play a hands-on key role in the implementation of a new fit-for-purpose HRIS
• Improve data integrity, reporting capability and end-to-end people processes.

About you

You’ll be an experienced payroll, remuneration or people data leader who enjoys working across detail, systems and strategy. You'll bring a strong understanding of New Zealand employment and payroll legislation, confidence working with remuneration frameworks, and the ability to translate data into practical insights.

Experience with HRIS implementation, process improvement or data analytics would be a real advantage. Just as importantly, you'll be a collaborative leader who can build trusted relationships, communicate clearly with a range of audiences, and help guide people through change.

You will also have:

• Proven ability in leading teams to achieve organisational goals/objectives within a values-based framework
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Advanced Excel and data analysis skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise extreme discretion
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
• Knowledge of compensation frameworks and remuneration principles
• Experience and understanding of both Individual and Collective Employment Agreement

What we can offer

• Great work-life balance with flexibility
• Career coaching and development
• Life insurance
• Wellbeing and volunteer leave
• Three days additional paid leave
• Two weeks' paid partners leave
• Sick leave from day one
• Continued KiwiSaver contributions during savings suspension.
• Discounts with local and national businesses

About us

Selwyn is one of the fastest-growing districts in New Zealand. We have a fantastic quality of life, great communities, and a thriving economy. Our Council works actively with residents to provide the services and facilities that help our communities to thrive and grow.

Our head office is based in Rolleston (only 25km from Christchurch), which offers an enviable family lifestyle, outstanding local facilities and an easy drive to the ski fields, rivers and hills that make up Canterbury's stunning landscape.

Our values are important to us and represent the way we work:

• Be a good human
• Be brave - Think differently
• Better together- Make it happen for Selwyn.

We honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and we are committed to working with our Treaty partner to deliver on our obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

If you're keen to lead an important portfolio and help shape the future of our people systems through a significant HRIS implementation, we'd love to hear from you.