Payroll Technical Lead at Ministry for Primary Industries, Wellington City

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Payroll Technical Lead
Role Type: Fixed Term – 18 Months, full-time
Location: Wellington
Salary Range: General Salary Range E: $87,008 to $116,232 depending on skills and experience

About the Role – Kōrero mō te Tūranga

We are looking for a technically skilled and detail-focused Payroll Technical Lead to join our People Operations team on an 18-month fixed-term contract. This is a critical role focused on completing the Holidays Act remediation project while also supporting business-as-usual (BAU) payroll operations.

As Payroll Technical Lead, you will:

• Lead the recalculation and remediation of historical leave entitlements and payments in line with the Holidays Act 2003
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders (HR, Finance, Legal) to ensure compliance, accuracy, and transparency
• Provide technical payroll advice and support to the payroll team, acting as a subject matter expert
• Maintain and enhance payroll reporting and data integrity
• Support the HRIS (AMS Leader) and ensure system configuration aligns with best practices and legislative requirements
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and provide backup support to the payroll team during peak periods.

About You – Mōu

You will bring a strong mix of technical payroll expertise, analytical skills, and a collaborative mindset. You'll also be comfortable working in a fast-paced, compliance-driven environment.

We're especially interested in candidates who have:

• 3+ years of experience in payroll operations or remediation projects
• In-depth knowledge of the Holidays Act 2003 and payroll legislation
• Experience with HRIS systems (AMS Leader experience is a plus)
• Strong data analysis and reporting skills (SQL proficiency required)
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• A methodical, detail-oriented approach with a commitment to accuracy and auditability.

About the Team – Mō tō mātou Rōpū

You'll be part of the People Operations team within the People and Capability directorate. We're a collaborative, forward-thinking group focused on delivering people solutions that make a real difference across MPI.

The People Operations team includes the People Hub, Payroll, and Business Systems. The People Hub is the first point of contact for general HR and position management queries, offering advice and support to MPI staff and P&C teams.

In addition to providing advice and guidance, our Payroll team works with our outsource provider to process MPI's payroll. The Business Systems team manages P&C systems, ensuring they meet MPI's needs and providing user support across various platforms.

About MPI - Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua

We're passionate about growing prosperity in the sector while ensuring respect for Kaitiaki – guardianship of our natural resources.

Benefits of working at MPI - Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua

• Annual Wellness payment
• Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames
• Career development and internal opportunities across the branch and organisation

Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake? -
We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whānau and hāpori.

We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatū Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.

In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.

To view the position description and/or apply online, please click “APPLY” or visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it – click here to find out more about work visa eligibility and options.

Applications close at 11.59pm on Friday 18^th July

If you have any questions about the role, please email george.mitrakas@mpi.govt.nz 

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