Payroll Technical Lead

An exciting opportunity to join NZ Customs as a Payroll Technical Lead is now available.

Are you a payroll expert with a passion for systems, compliance, and continuous improvement? We're looking for a Payroll Technical Lead to join our payroll team and drive excellence in payroll operations and technology. This role is a full-time permanent position based in our Wellington Customhouse.

**About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga mahi**

Reporting to the Team Leader HRIS Payroll and Reporting, the role of the Payroll Technical Lead is responsible for the management of the payroll system, is the expert for technical payroll queries and provides technical training and support for the payroll team.

This is a pivotal role within our HR People & Capability team, where you'll lead technical improvements, support complex payroll processes, and collaborate with internal teams and external vendors to deliver accurate, efficient, and future-ready payroll services.

As the Payroll Technical Lead, you will be the go-to expert for payroll system improvements, processes, and compliance. You'll lead the technical aspects of payroll delivery, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and alignment with legislative requirements. This role is perfect for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys solving complex payroll challenges.

**Salary**: $95,000 - $110,000 (dependent on relevant skillset and experience).

**To be successful as Payroll Technical Lead, the appointee requires the following knowledge, experience, skills, qualifications and/or personal attributes**:

- Extensive experience working in HRIS/Payroll within central government and/or relevant specialist knowledge.
- Proven experience working with **PayGlobal**payroll systems in a technical or systems-focused role.
- Strong understanding of position management and its impact on payroll and HR data integrity.
- Extensive computer system experience, including familiarity with HRIS/Payroll data and processing.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective internal and external relationships.
- Excellent communication skills both verbally and written and the ability to communicate complex and analytical data to wide ranging audiences at all levels.
- Strong problem solving and decision-making skills, including the ability to identify problems, manage or mitigate risks and implement innovative solutions that align with strategic direction.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, managing your own time, prioritising & planning project tasks or groups of activities and managing all aspects within specified timeframes.
- Proven experience providing technical leadership to a team or overseeing activities relating to training and development of a team.
- An approachable and transparent operating style with a 'can do' attitude and desire to find workable solutions.
- A tertiary qualification in a relevant academic discipline is desirable or relevant working experience.

**Working at Customs | Mahi ki te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa**

We aim to create a great place to work, where our people have a sense of belonging and the capability and desire to meet our future challenges. We are an organisation that is clear about our mission, and this is underpinned by Te Pou Tokomanawa (the Foundations) and our Whanonga Pono (Values). Our work really matters to the safety and success of New Zealand.

**We care about well-being, personal growth, and job satisfaction, which is supported through**:

- offering on-the-job training, formal courses and leadership programmes, and the chance to move across diverse roles.
- fostering inclusive and supportive team environment with vibrant social and cultural groups.
- supporting flexible working - talk to us about how we can help you achieve your flexible working goals, within our operational requirements.
- providing discounted health insurance, and free on-site gyms (in some locations).
- Three days of service holidays, in addition to four weeks of annual leave.

To join Customs in any role you must be a **New Zealand citizen or NZ permanent resident**. *
- This means:
You must have a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service towards a recommendation of suitability for security clearance at a higher level. Due to the nature of Customs work, you must have a clear Police record. The successful applicant will also be required to pass a drug test.

**Please note Customs will be managing this recruitment independently in-house and will not be engaging with recruitment agencies at this stage.**

**Applications close at 11pm, 30 September 2025.**

**Job details**:

- Reference #
- 45830
- Posted on
- 18 Sep 2025
- Closes on
- 30 Sep 2025
- Location(s)
- Wellington
- Expertise
- Payroll
- Job level(s)
- Experienced
- Work type(s)
- Permanent Full Time
- Additional attachment