- 4-month temp engagement with potential to extend
- Competitive temp hourly rate
- Hybrid role with exposure to significant payroll change

Archway is partnering with a large Wellington-based public sector organisation to recruit a Senior Payroll Advisor for an initial four-month temporary assignment.

This is a great opportunity to join an organisation going through a significant period of transition and increased workload. With payroll currently supported through an outsourced arrangement, the team is looking for an experienced payroll professional to provide additional hands-on support and ensure employee pay information is accurate, compliant and ready for processing.

There is a strong possibility of extension, particularly as the organisation explores bringing more of its payroll function in-house and considers a future migration.

About the Role
Working closely with the existing payroll advisor in the wider People team, you will provide practical payroll administration and advisory support across a broad range of employee changes and pay-related activities. Although the pay run itself is processed externally, you will play an important role in ensuring the underlying payroll information is accurate, appropriately authorised and ready for processing.
Your responsibilities will include:

- Reviewing and validating payroll information ahead of pay runs
- Checking employee changes, allowances, deductions and other payroll adjustments for accuracy
- Supporting termination and final pay calculations, including relevant leave entitlements
- Reviewing new starters, position changes and employee movements




- Checking employee and position information against organisational structures and ensuring records are correctly established
- Investigating payroll discrepancies and assisting with corrections
- Responding to payroll queries from employees and internal stakeholders
- Ensuring payroll changes have appropriate documentation and approvals
- Maintaining accurate employee payroll records and supporting data integrity
- Ensuring payroll activity is completed in line with relevant legislation, employment agreements, organisational policies and internal controls
- Providing possible additional support across payroll projects and transition activity as required

About You
You will have previous experience working in a complex payroll environment and be comfortable getting into the detail across payroll administration, calculations and validation. Given the additional workload facing the team, you will ideally be someone who can get up to speed quickly and operate confidently with limited supervision.

We are looking for someone who:

- Has previous payroll administration, payroll advisory or payroll officer experience
- Has a sound understanding of payroll processes and New Zealand payroll requirements




- Is confident reviewing payroll information and identifying errors or discrepancies
- Has experience completing or checking termination and final pay calculations
- Has strong numerical accuracy and attention to detail
- Is comfortable investigating payroll queries and working through exceptions
- Can manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a busy environment
- Communicates confidently with employees and internal stakeholders

What's on Offer
This is an initial four-month temporary assignment with a possibility of extension as the organisation works through a broader programme of payroll change.

The organisation offers work from home flexibility, although greater office attendance will likely be required during the first couple of weeks while you learn the role, systems and processes.

This would particularly suit an experienced payroll qualified who enjoys hands-on work and wants to join at an interesting point of change, with the potential to become involved in a wider payroll transformation programme.

Contact
All inquiries and applications to Archway Recruitment are treated in the strictest confidence. For a confidential discussion and to find out more about this opportunity please contact:
Sam Graham - email View email address on au.fitly.work or call 021920145
Matthew Greenwood - email View email address on au.fitly.work or call View phone number on au.fitly.work
Reference number: 1769992
Profession:HRIS/PayrollSenior Payroll Officer

Company: Archway Recruitment
Date posted: 5th Nov, 2026

📌 Senior Payroll Advisor (Wellington Shire)
🏢 Archway Recruitment
📍 Wellington Shire