Posted Sep 26, 2026

Payroll Team Leader

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Permanent, Full-timeLead a high-performing national payroll team and make a real difference for New ZealandersSupport a complex, large-scale payroll operation while building capability, quality, and trust across the organisationAbout Health New Zealand | Te Whatu OraHealth New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is the country's largest employer, delivering universal public healthcare to over 5 million New Zealanders. We provide essential hospital, specialist and community health services across more than 80 locations nationwide.Our purpose is to improve health outcomes for all New Zealanders by delivering equitable, accessible and innovative care. Payroll plays a critical role in ensuring our people are paid accurately and on time, enabling them to focus on delivering care to our communities.About the RoleAs Payroll Team Leader, you will lead a team of 7 payroll professionals responsible for the accurate and timely delivery of national payroll services for Health New Zealand. This is a remote-based role offering the opportunity to work at scale within one of New Zealand's most complex payroll environments.You will provide day-to-day leadership, coaching and development to your team, while acting as a quality control and escalation point for complex payroll matters. You'll work closely with Payroll Managers, HR colleagues, systems teams, and leaders across the organisation to ensure payroll processes are compliant, efficient, and continuously improving.This role also plays a key part in managing risk and compliance, including ensuring alignment with employment legislation, collective agreements, and internal policies, and supporting system enhancements across Leader and UKG Dimensions.About YouYou will bring strong payroll leadership experience, sound technical knowledge, and a collaborative, service-focused mindset. To be successful in this role, you will have:Extensive people leadership experience within payroll10+ years' NZ payroll experience, including at least 5 years in a large, complex payroll environmentProven experience working with multiple collective agreements and employment legislationStrong knowledge of the Holidays Act 2003 and related payroll legislationExcellent communication skills and a proactive, customer-focused approachDesirable (but not essential):Experience in the NZ health sectorHR qualification or IR/ER experienceExposure to AMS Leader and/or UKG DimensionsProcess improvement or change experienceYou'll also demonstrate a commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, equitable outcomes for Māori, and alignment with Health New Zealand values.Working at Health New Zealand | Te Whatu OraWe are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and values-led workforce where people feel supported to bring their whole selves to work. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled and rainbow communities, and are proud to support flexible and remote ways of working.How to ApplyTo apply, please click Apply Now. All applications must be submitted via our online careers portal by 11:59pm, Sunday 11th October 2026.For further information, please contact Cherushka Pillay at 📧 Cherushka.Pillay@tewhatuora.govt.nzThe full position description is available on the Health New Zealand Careers site.We will review applications as they are received and may progress candidates before the closing date. 

10+ years NZ payroll experience including 5 years in large complex environment; extensive people leadership; strong knowledge of Holidays Act 2003 and payroll legislation; experience with multiple collective agreements; excellent communication; commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Key Responsibilities

Skills & Tools

UKG Dimensions, Leader

Job Details

About Te Whatu Ora

New Zealand's largest employer delivering universal public healthcare across the country. — Industry: Healthcare