Principal Payroll Advisor

Archway Recruitment; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Work from home options (1–2 days)

18-month fixed term

Job summary

Archway Recruitment in Wellington is seeking an experienced payroll professional for an 18-month fixed-term senior operational role within a busy shared services payroll function. Reporting to the Payroll Manager, you will lead technically, review complex calculations and ensure timely, accurate payroll delivery across multiple government customers.

You will provide guidance to Payroll Advisors, manage risks, and support system initiatives while maintaining compliance with NZ legislation and

Qualifications

• Extensive end-to-end payroll processing experience.
• Strong knowledge of New Zealand payroll legislation and compliance requirements.
• Ability to review and resolve complex payroll calculations and issues.
• Experience providing technical guidance, training or mentoring to payroll team members.
• Demonstrated leadership capability, even without formal direct reports.
• Experience supporting payroll system implementations, remediation or process improvement.

Responsibilities

• Review payroll data and complex calculations.
• Provide technical leadership, guidance and training to Payroll Advisors.
• Manage day-to-day payroll risks, issues and escalations.
• Hands-on processing support during high workload or absence.
• Ensure payroll services comply with legislation and internal policies.
• Manage payroll queries, change requests and overpayments.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance and customer organisations.
• Support payroll remediation, process improvements and system initiatives.
• Undertake user acceptance testing and implement changes into BAU processing.
• Produce payroll reports and support enhanced reporting requirements.

Skills

Payroll processing

NZ payroll legislation

Stakeholder management

Leadership influence

Analytical skills

Communication

Tools

Payroll software

Job description

This is an excellent 18 month fixed term opportunity for an experienced payroll professional to join a high-profile central government agency in a senior operational role.

About The Role

Reporting to the Payroll Manager, you will act as the senior operational lead within a busy shared services payroll function. While the role has no formal direct reports, you will provide day-to-day leadership, technical guidance and practical support to Payroll Advisors.

This is a hands-on role where you will review calculations, resolve complex payroll issues and help ensure payrolls are delivered accurately, on time and in line with legislative requirements. You will work across several government customers, each with different policies and requirements, so sound judgement and strong stakeholder management will be essential.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Reviewing and validating payroll data and complex calculations
• Providing technical leadership, guidance and training to Payroll Advisors
• Managing day-to-day payroll risks, issues and escalations
• Providing hands‑on processing support during periods of high workload or absence
• Ensuring payroll services comply with legislation, internal policies and audit requirements
• Managing payroll queries, change requests and overpayment processes
• Working with stakeholders across HR, Finance and customer organisations
• Supporting payroll remediation, process improvement and system initiatives
• Undertaking user acceptance testing and helping implement changes into BAU processing
• Producing payroll reports and supporting improved reporting requirements

About You

This role will suit an experienced payroll professional who combines strong technical knowledge with the credibility and confidence to lead through influence.

You Will Ideally Bring

• Extensive end-to-end payroll processing and administration experience
• Strong knowledge of New Zealand payroll legislation and compliance requirements
• The ability to review and resolve complex payroll calculations and issues
• Experience providing technical guidance, training or mentoring to payroll team members
• Demonstrated leadership capability, even if you have not previously held formal direct reports
• Experience supporting payroll system implementations, remediation or process improvement
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management capability
• The ability to manage competing priorities and support others to meet deadlines

You will be calm under pressure, comfortable making technical judgement calls and willing to step into the detail when the team needs support. This is a senior leadership position within the function, but not a traditional people‑management role.

The Benefits

This is an opportunity to secure a genuine senior payroll position where your technical expertise and operational leadership will be used every day. You will benefit from:

• A long, 18 month fixed term engagement, with competitive salary
• Flexible working, including one to two days working from home once established
• Exposure to a complex, multi‑customer shared services environment
• The opportunity to contribute to payroll process, system and service improvements
• A potential role in the future development of a broader government shared services model

You must have the right to live and work in New Zealand to apply for this job.