Technical Lead at Te Whatu Ora, All Locations

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

National | Full-time | 3 roles

Lead the future of payroll technology across one of New Zealand's largest and most complex organisations
Drive enterprise-wide system governance, innovation, security and continuous improvement

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is the country's largest employer, delivering universal public healthcare to more than 5 million New Zealanders.

We provide essential hospital, specialist, and community health services across 80+ locations, from large urban centres to rural towns and remote communities.

Our goal is to improve health outcomes for all New Zealanders by delivering equitable, accessible and innovative care.

About the Role

We are seeking 3 experienced Regional Technical Leads to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of the payroll technology environment across Health New Zealand. The roles will be in the Northern, Central and Southern regions.

As the recognised regional authority for payroll technology, you will be accountable for the governance, performance, integrity, security, and continuous improvement of multiple payroll systems and associated technologies that support accurate and compliant payroll delivery. This is a critical leadership role managing enterprise payroll technology services that underpin payroll delivery for a large and geographically dispersed workforce.

Leading a specialist technical team, you will provide expert advice on payroll system design, legislative interpretation, technical governance, risk management, and enterprise capability. You will oversee system upgrades, integrations, enhancements, testing frameworks, security controls, and technology roadmaps, ensuring payroll systems remain secure, resilient, and aligned with organisational strategy and legislative obligations.

You will also play a key role in shaping national payroll technology direction, partnering with Finance, Data & Digital, HRIS teams, vendors, and fellow technical leaders to deliver strategic initiatives and drive continuous improvement.

About the Team / Service / Location

This national role sits within People & Culture and reports to the Regional Payroll Delivery Manager. You will lead a team of specialist technical professionals while collaborating closely with payroll leaders, Data & Digital, Finance, HR, Enterprise Architecture, Information Security, Programme Managers, and external implementation partners.

The role provides significant influence over payroll technology strategy, governance standards, enterprise risk management, and future system capability across Health New Zealand.

About You

You are a highly experienced payroll technology leader with a strong combination of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and people leadership capability.

You will bring:

• 5–10 years' experience in payroll systems management within large and complex organisations.
• Extensive experience leading enterprise payroll technology functions and specialist technical teams.
• Proven expertise managing integrated payroll and HRIS environments supporting large workforces.
• Strong knowledge of New Zealand payroll legislation, Holidays Act requirements, employment agreements, and payroll configuration principles.
• Experience developing governance frameworks, testing strategies, quality assurance processes, and technical standards.
• Demonstrated success leading complex technical change, enterprise projects, upgrades, integrations, and organisational transformation initiatives.
• A tertiary qualification in Information Technology, Information Systems, Business, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.

Working for Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and serve our communities. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

How to Apply

To apply, please click“apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal by 11:59PM Sunday 1st November 2026.

If you have any questions about the role, please contact Cherushka Pillay @ cherushka.pillay@tewhatuora.govt.nz

The full position description is available on the Health New Zealand Careers site.