Payroll Team Leader

About our team | Mō te tīma

Our skilled and professional payroll team delivers trusted, centralised payroll services to staff across all our campuses in Aotearoa. As a leading research university with a large and diverse workforce, we support a wide range of employment arrangements - so no two days are the same. With several technology projects on the horizon, it’s an exciting time to join us.

The role | te mahi

Working alongside our experienced Payroll Manager and broader payroll team, you’ll bring payroll or administration service-delivery experience in a high-volume environment. You’ll enjoy leading a team focused on maintaining accurate employee data and delivering an excellent customer experience. If technology and process improvement motivate you, this role offers real opportunity to help shape the future.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading, coaching and developing the team, supporting the Payroll Manager and Team Leader Processing.
• Coordinating multiple work streams and ensuring accurate maintenance of employee data for the fortnightly pay cycle.
• Building strong working relationships and communicating effectively with stakeholders across the University.
• Providing payroll expertise and resolve queries and issues promptly and accurately.
• Identifying and delivering opportunities to continuously improve processes, systems and service outcomes.

Your skills and experience | Kā pūkeka me kā wheako

You’ll be a confident, collaborative leader who enjoys building team capability, improving ways of working and adapting quickly to new technologies. You bring sound judgement, a service mindset and the drive to deliver accurate outcomes in a busy deadline driven environment.

Key skills you will bring include:

• Proven experience in a busy and/or complex, modern payroll or service-delivery environment.
• Demonstrated leadership capability and a continuous improvement mindset.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise and maintain high attention to detail.
• A strong customer service focus and an appreciation of the employee experience.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• A commitment to confidentiality, discretion and sound judgement.
• Confidence using complex information systems and the Microsoft suite of programmes.

Further details | Pūroko

This is a permanent, full-time (37.5 hours per week) position based in Ōtepoti, Dunedin.

The appointment range for this role is $75,631 to $80,503. Top of range $88,750.

You must be eligible to work in New Zealand to apply for this position.

We offer 5 weeks’ annual leave, 6.75% superannuation scheme, interesting and challenging work, and the ability to achieve work/life balance.

For a confidential enquiry, please contact Melvyn Lucas, Payroll Manager via the contact details below.

Application | Tono

To submit your application (including CV and cover letter) please click the apply button. Applications quoting reference number 2600553 will close on Sunday, 12 April 2026.

Additional Information

Contact: Melvyn Lucas

Position details: Job Description

Further Information: Department Website

Create an email with a link to this vacancy: Create email

Location: About Dunedin