Senior Payroll & Compliance Specialist

Canterbury District Health Board; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is seeking a detail-focused Senior Payroll Officer (Legislation & Compliance) to join the People & Capability team in Christchurch. The fixed-term, full-time position covers complex payroll compliance, holidays act obligations and ACC payments, delivering accurate payroll runs and supporting stakeholders.

The role requires strong analytical skills, confidentiality and experience in payroll legislation within the health sector.

Qualifications

• Strong payroll processing experience and understanding of payroll legislation.
• Experience implementing Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles in practice.
• Sound knowledge of ACC payment legislation and the Holidays Act.
• Excellent attention to detail and high level of accuracy.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel and Word.
• Fast and accurate typing and data entry skills.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Strong customer service skills and clear communication.
• Ability to remain calm and effective under pressure.
• Experience working in the health sector or related environment.
• Strong organisational, planning and time management skills.

Responsibilities

• Calculate work-related and non-work-related ACC payments and provide accurate information to external partners.
• Support and coordinate multiple payroll runs to ensure timely and accurate payments.
• Load and maintain payroll data within the payroll system.
• Liaise with HR Shared Services to ensure smooth pay processing.
• Complete month-end and year-end payroll processes, including leave liability, GL reconciliation and IR filing.
• Calculate and verify complex payroll transactions including final pays, backpayments and leave cash-ups.
• Monitor payroll reports and undertake audit checks to ensure compliance and accuracy.
• Investigate and resolve payroll payment issues and discrepancies.
• Provide payroll advice and respond to employee payroll queries with professionalism.
• Maintain effective working relationships with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Assist with training, coordination and support of payroll team members.
• Ensure accurate data entry and adherence to deadlines.
• Support continuous improvement of payroll processes and compliance practices.

Skills

Payroll processing

Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Payroll legislation

ACC payments

Holidays Act

Excel

Word

Data entry

Confidentiality

Customer service

Communication

Time management

Job description

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is seeking a detail-focused Senior Payroll Officer (Legislation & Compliance) to join the People & Capability team in Christchurch. The fixed-term, full-time position covers complex payroll compliance, holidays act obligations and ACC payments, delivering accurate payroll runs and supporting stakeholders.

The role requires strong analytical skills, confidentiality and experience in payroll legislation within the health sector.