Senior Advisor, Education Payroll

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 101,000 - 122,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Buy extra days leave

Employee network groups

Inclusive culture and wellbeing

Job summary

New Zealand Government in Wellington is seeking a skilled professional to join a team improving the payroll service for state and state-integrated schools. You will enjoy unpicking complex problems, communicating them clearly, and guiding solutions from concept to implementation.

The role also offers flexibility, opportunities to provide advice to the payroll provider and sector, and chances to lead projects to a successful conclusion within an inclusive, collaborative ministry environment.

Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to manage time across competing priorities.
• Strong engagement with stakeholders and sectors.

Responsibilities

• Improve payroll service for state and state‑integrated schools.
• Provide quality advice and guidance to the payroll provider, the sector and the ministry.
• Lead projects to successful conclusions and communicate outcomes clearly.

Skills

Communication skills

Time management

Stakeholder engagement

Project leadership

Job description

Help shape the future of education in New Zealand

• Permanent, full-time role, Wellington based
• Make a difference for school staff in a fast-moving environment with a fun team
• Flex your problem-solving muscles on complex issues

Help shape the future of Education. We work to shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes. Our organisation is made up of talented and committed people around Aotearoa, from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. While we work in different groups and on different things, we all strive every day to make the biggest difference we can for our students in our education system.

About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga

You will be working in a team to improve the payroll service for state and state-integrated schools. If you enjoy finding and unpicking complicated problems, communicating the problems and potential solutions clearly both verbally and in writing, and seeing those solutions through from concept to implementation, this role could be for you!

You will also provide quality advice and guidance to the payroll provider, the sector and the wider Ministry.

You will also offer:

• Experience in complex report writing
• Either experience in payroll and associated legislation or the proven ability to pick up complex knowledge quickly
• Excellent customer/stakeholder engagement skills
• Experience in leading projects to a successful conclusion

Salary range: $101,296 - $122,490 per annum plus KiwiSaver.

The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience.

For more details about the role, you can view the Job Description here

We also offer:

• Flexible working arrangements where everyone feels valued & supported
• The ability to purchase extra days leave
• A range of employee network groups
• An inclusive environment that encourages your personal cultural competency journey
• Development and learning, including mentorship programmes and internal secondments
• Wellness initiatives to support your overall health and wellbeing

About you | Mōhou ake

We’re looking for someone with excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) who can balance competing priorities.

You will have excellent time management skills, an ability to work well both independently and in a team, and an understanding of the machinery of government.

You will be able to read and accurately interpret legislation, collective agreements and policies.

You will demonstrate knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an understanding of Te Ao Māori and promote tikanga and Te Reo Māori.

You will also have knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an appreciation of te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) as it applies in the public sector.

About our ministry, group, and team | Mātau rōpū ake

At Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga, we work to provide services and support nationally, regionally and locally to the education sector, and in some cases, directly to ākonga and whanau.

The team you’ll be joining is welcoming and a lot of fun. We work collaboratively together, but when needed see tasks or projects through independently. We pick up a wide range of work and there’s always something interesting to delve into.

Applications close at 11.59pm on Wednesday, 04 November 2026

We want our people to feel valued for their unique qualities and have a sense of belonging.

If you require assistance or adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.