Payroll Team Leader

JobSpace; Auckland; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Jora New Zealand seeks a Payroll Team Leader to run a high-performing payroll function across a large retail workforce. Lead, mentor, and develop a payroll team while partnering with Operations, Store Management, and Head Office to ensure accurate, timely payments.

The role requires at least 3 years in a senior payroll or payroll administration role, with proven leadership and experience handling payrolls for 3,000+ employees. Strong knowledge of payroll laws and systems is essential.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in senior payroll roles or payroll administration with leadership experience.
• Experience leading teams and mentoring payroll staff.
• Experience managing high-volume payrolls (thousands of employees).
• Solid knowledge of payroll legislation, taxation, and Holidays Act.

Responsibilities

• Lead weekly, fortnightly payrolls and adjustments with accuracy.
• Review payroll reports for accuracy and compliance.
• Manage new starters, terminations, leave, and variations.
• Maintain data integrity in payroll systems and reporting.
• Mentor and develop payroll team members and plan workloads.

Skills

Payroll leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical thinking

Payroll legislation

Attention to detail

Communication

Tools

PayGlobal

Xero Payroll

Deputy

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Lead a high-performing payroll team supporting one of New Zealand's largest retail workforces. Are you an experienced payroll professional with a passion for accuracy, leadership, and continuous improvement? We're looking for a Payroll Team Leader to join our growing team and play a pivotal role in ensuring the timely and accurate payment of wages and salaries across our retail network and portfolio businesses. This is an excellent opportunity for a payroll specialist who enjoys leading people, improving processes, and partnering with stakeholders across a fast-paced, large-scale organisation.

About the Role

• Payroll Operations
• Lead the accurate and timely processing of weekly, fortnightly, and adjustment payrolls.
• Review payroll reports and payments to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Process new starters, terminations, leave payments, and employment variations.
• Maintain payroll and employee system data integrity.
• Manage ACC claims, parental leave administration, and payroll reconciliations.
• Ensure compliance with payroll legislation, employment agreements, taxation requirements, and Holidays Act obligations.
• Conduct payroll testing and auditing activities to ensure system integrity and legislative compliance.
• Generate payroll reporting and insights for management.
• Lead, mentor, coach, and develop payroll team members.
• Plan team workloads and allocate resources to meet business deadlines.
• Monitor workflow, review completed work, and ensure high standards of accuracy.
• Support the team in resolving complex payroll issues and employee queries.
• Deliver payroll training and education to team members and wider business stakeholders.
• Stakeholder Management & Continuous Improvement
• Partner with Operations, Store Management, Supply Chain, Commercial teams, and Head Office stakeholders.
• Provide expert payroll advice and guidance across the business.
• Build strong relationships with external payroll advisors and service providers.
• Identify opportunities to streamline payroll processes, improve efficiencies, and strengthen controls.
• Contribute to payroll system enhancements and large-scale payroll projects.

About You

You are a confident and approachable payroll leader with strong technical expertise and a passion for exceptional customer service. You will bring:

• Minimum 3 years' experience in a senior payroll, payroll officer, or payroll administration role.
• Previous experience leading, mentoring, or coordinating payroll teams.
• Proven experience managing high-volume payrolls of 3,000+ employees.
• Strong knowledge of payroll legislation, employment law, taxation requirements, and payroll best practice.
• Experience using payroll and workforce management systems such as PayGlobal, Xero Payroll, Deputy, or similar.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• High attention to detail and strong organisational abilities.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet strict deadlines.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A proactive, resilient, and solutions-focused approach.

Why Join Us?

Opportunity to lead a critical payroll function within a large and growing retail organisation. Work with a supportive leadership team that values continuous improvement. Influence payroll processes, systems, and business outcomes. Career development and growth opportunities. Collaborative and inclusive team culture. Dynamic, fast-paced environment where no two days are the same.