Test Manager (Payroll)

Randstad; Wellington; On-site; NZD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Randstad in Wellington seeks an experienced Test Manager to lead end-to-end testing for a major payroll implementation. The 12-month engagement starts Oct 2026, with ownership of early-phase testing and compliance validation.

You will pave the way to build and lead a larger testing team as activity grows in 2027. Ideal candidates have extensive payroll system testing in enterprise transformations, strong stakeholder management, and excellent communication across technical and executive

Qualifications

• Strong experience in managing complex payroll system testing within large enterprise transformations.
• Deep domain knowledge of core payroll processing, tax/compliance rules, and downstream data feeds.
• Proven experience planning and executing test strategies independently ahead of team assembly.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence vendors, technical teams, and business leads.
• Experience with modern enterprise payroll/HRIS platforms (Dayforce or Ceridian experience highly desirable).

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end testing strategy for a major payroll implementation.
• Own early-phase test planning, integration strategy, and compliance validation.
• Lay groundwork to build and lead the wider testing team as project activity ramps up.
• Collaborate with vendors, technical teams, and business leads.

Skills

Test management experience

Payroll testing

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Test strategy planning

Education

Bachelor Degree

Tools

Dayforce

Ceridian

Job description

• Proven experience Leading testing for New Payroll System Implementations
• Experience with Enterprise HRIS or Payroll platforms
• Dayforce or Ceridian experience highly desirable
• Wellington based, 12 months contract, able to start 1st Oct 2026

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking an experienced Test Manager to lead the end-to-end testing strategy for a major enterprise payroll implementation. Starting in October 2026 for a 12-month engagement, you will take ownership of early-phase test planning, integration strategy, and compliance validation. You will also lay the groundwork to build and lead the wider testing team as project activity ramps up in early 2027.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Strong experience in managing complex payroll system testing within large enterprise transformations.
• Deep domain knowledge of core payroll processing, tax/compliance rules, and downstream data feeds.
• Proven experience planning and executing test strategies independently ahead of team assembly.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence vendors, technical teams, and business leads.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills across technical execution and executive reporting.
• Experience with modern enterprise payroll/HRIS platforms (Dayforce or Ceridian experience highly desirable).

* Please note, we can only consider applicants that are legally entitled to work in New Zealand at the time of application.

At Randstad, we are passionate about providing equal employment opportunities and embracing diversity to the benefit of all. We actively encourage applications from any background.

experience

5 years

skills

Experienced Test Manager

• Bachelor Degree

Bachelor Degree