Senior Payroll Specialist

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellbeing and employee benefits

Flexible start/finish times

On-site team environment

Job summary

Transpower, located in Wellington, is seeking a specialist payroll expert to ensure accurate and timely payment for over 1,100 employees, including shift workers. You will work with HR, Finance and IT while supporting reporting, audits and process improvements.

From day one you will manage fortnightly and off-cycle payrolls, advise on complex payroll questions, and help automate payroll processes. A confident, service‑minded professional with NZ payroll knowledge is essential.

Qualifications

• Five years of payroll experience with NZPPA certification or equivalent.
• Advanced knowledge of NZ payroll legislation and leave entitlements.
• Experience providing payroll reports to HR, Finance and legal teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage fortnightly and off-cycle payroll, including changes, leave, deductions and HRIS records.
• Provide payroll advice and internal/external reporting with confidentiality and audit-ready records.
• Process related payments to statutory and external entities and support year-end activities.
• Support general ledger reconciliations and payroll system upgrades or changes.
• Identify automation opportunities and train colleagues to build payroll knowledge.

Skills

Payroll expertise

Attention to detail

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

NZPPA certification or equivalent

Tools

Dayforce aPay

Oracle

Job description

As National Grid owner and System Operator, Transpower connects electricity generators with the networks and major users that power communities and businesses across Aotearoa. Our purpose is to empower the energy future for New Zealand - a future that delivers a net-zero carbon economy and a reliable, secure electricity system.

Bring your payroll expertise to a specialist role supporting over 1,100 people. Enjoy variety across hands-on payroll, business support and process improvement. Join a supportive Wellington CBD team with adaptable start and finish times.

About the team

Our Financial Operations team provides services essential to Transpower's day-to-day operations, including payroll, accounts payable and receivable, and banking. Part of Finance within Corporate Services, we work together through a shared services model, supporting one another and partnering with colleagues across the business to deliver accurate, timely and responsive service.

The opportunity

Due to our fabulous incumbent's retirement at the end of the year, you could join us as our specialist payroll subject matter expert, ensuring over 1,100 employees, including shift workers, are paid accurately and on time. You'll work closely with HR, Finance, managers and employees, maintaining and further strengthening confidence in a service that matters to everyone. You'll also partner with IT, software suppliers, auditors and external agencies. Your varied work will include:

• Managing fortnightly and off-cycle payroll, including employee changes, leave, benefits, deductions and accurate payroll and HRIS records
• Providing clear payroll advice, resolving queries and delivering internal and external employee-related reporting; supplying payroll information to support legal advice, HR processes and reporting, and ad-hoc financial reporting as required, while maintaining confidentiality, controls and audit-ready records
• Processing ACC claims under the Transpower Employer Reimbursement Agreement, and calculating, verifying and reconciling payroll-related payments to IRD, MOJ, MBIE, superannuation scheme providers and other external counterparties
• Supporting general ledger reconciliations and preparing payroll-related tax and financial year-end processes
• Supporting the Finance Systems team by providing technical guidance and user acceptance support as required for system issues, payroll system upgrades and changes
• Improving and documenting processes, identifying automation opportunities, contributing to projects and training colleagues to build payroll knowledge and backup capability

What will you bring?

You'll bring sound judgement, a service-focused approach and confidence in working through complex payroll questions. Organised, calm under pressure and detail-focused, you'll manage competing deadlines while maintaining accuracy and confidentiality.

Your CV and cover letter will demonstrate:

• At least five years' payroll experience supported by NZ Payroll Practitioners Association (NZPPA) certification or equivalent recognised payroll qualifications
• Advanced working knowledge of payroll and HRIS systems including Dayforce aPay, Oracle or comparable enterprise payroll and financial systems (please ensure this is clear in your CV and cover letter)
• An excellent understanding of relevant New Zealand employment-related legislation and its practical application to payroll, particularly tax and annual leave
• Good understanding of payroll audit routines, reconciliations and internal controls, along with process mapping and documentation
• Experience contributing to payroll system expertise to upgrades integrations, testing, legislative change or process improvement initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to provide clear, accurate and practical payroll advice to employees, managers, HR and Finance, including explaining complex or sensitive matters in plain English

Join us at Transpower!

Our people care deeply about each other and New Zealand. With more than thirty-one ethnicities represented across Transpower, our diverse perspectives, knowledge and experience are willingly shared. We work in the office or on-site for a minimum of three days each week to support relationships, learning and delivery, with adaptable daily start and finish times. We also prioritise wellbeing through a range of employee health and wellness benefits - check them out here : https://www.transpower.co.nz/about-us/careers-transpower/staff-benefits

Existing eligibility to work in Aotearoa New Zealand is required (ideally residency or citizenship) as working knowledge of New Zealand legislation is essential.