Senior Payroll Specialist

Transpower New Zealand Limited (TPNZ); Wellington; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Transpower New Zealand Limited (TPNZ) in Wellington is seeking a specialist payroll expert to ensure over 1,100 employees are paid accurately and on time. You will manage fortnightly and off-cycle payroll, advise on payroll matters, and collaborate with HR, Finance and IT.

You’ll contribute to system upgrades, process improvements, and ensure audit-ready records. The role partners with external agencies and requires NZPPA certification and Dayforce aPay/Oracle experience.

Qualifications

• Five years’ payroll experience with NZ payroll qualification or equivalent.
• Advanced knowledge of payroll and HRIS systems (Dayforce aPay, Oracle).
• Solid understanding of NZ employment legislation and annual leave.

Responsibilities

• Manage fortnightly and off-cycle payroll, including employee changes, leave, benefits and deductions.
• Provide clear payroll advice and reports for internal/external stakeholders.
• Process payroll-related payments to IRD, MOJ, MBIE, and other counterparties.

Skills

Payroll processing

Attention to detail

Stakeholder communication

Education

NZPPA certification or equivalent payroll qualification

Tools

Dayforce aPay

Oracle HRIS

Job description

• 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

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.

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.

To join the team at an exciting time and also be part of our new ERP integration to Dayforce aPay.

Applications close

Wednesday 4 November; however, applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we may contact you before the closing date for an initial conversation. While a handover in mid‑December would be ideal, we are happy to accommodate your preferred start date in January 2027.

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

Interested in knowing more, and seeing our Wellington head office?Watch a brief video here

Expertise Accounting and Finance, Administration & Office Support, HR & Recruitment

Transpower's careers website is the official channel for advertised vacancies. Any correspondence from Transpower regarding a role will be from [e-mail] or a similaremail address.

Please be wary of any invitation email or approach that doesn’t look quite right. If you are in any doubt as to whether any correspondence is from Transpower or one of our people, please contact us directly to confirm www.transpower.co.nz/contact-us