Payroll Specialist

At Hamilton City Council, our people are united by a shared purpose: to improve the wellbeing of Hamiltonians. As one of New Zealand's largest city councils, we're proud to serve a growing and vibrant community while delivering services and projects that improve the wellbeing of Hamiltonians every day.

You'll join a team that values collaboration, innovation, and community impact. Together, we're on track to being one of New Zealand's leading community-focused councils, where everyone matters and every contribution helps shape the future of our city.

If you're looking for meaningful work, a supportive team, and the opportunity to make a real difference in your community, you'll find it here.

He angituutanga: The opportunity

We’re looking for an SAP Employee Central Payroll experienced Payroll Specialist to join our People, Safety & Wellness team and help ensure our people are paid accurately, on time, and in line with their employment arrangements and legislative requirements.

This is a great opportunity for someone who knows payroll inside and out, enjoys solving problems, and takes pride in providing a reliable and helpful service.

Working as part of our payroll team, you’ll take ownership of a range of payroll activities across Council, including:

• Processing payroll information, timesheets and salary changes accurately and on time
• Ensuring employees and Councillors receive the correct entitlements
• Maintaining accurate and secure employee payroll records
• Applying collective agreements, employment arrangements and relevant payroll legislation
• Completing monthly payroll reconciliations to the General Ledger
• Managing PAYE and KiwiSaver payments and filing requirements with IRD
• Supporting year-end payroll reconciliation and tax-year processes
• Responding to payroll enquiries and providing clear, practical advice to managers and employees
• Liaising with external organisations including IRD, ACC, Audit NZ and WINZ
• Keeping payroll system settings up to date with legislative and system changes
• Contributing to payroll improvements and special projects.

Oo puumanawa me oo wheako | Your skills and experience

We’re looking for someone with strong technical payroll knowledge who can balance accuracy and deadlines with great customer service. Experience with SAP Employee Central Payroll is essential.

Ideally, you’ll bring:

• 5+ years’ payroll experience within a medium to large organisation
• Experience working with multiple collective agreements
• Strong working knowledge of the Holidays Act, Employment Relations Act and Privacy Act as they relate to payroll
• Good accounting knowledge, including payroll reconciliations
• Confidence working with spreadsheets, data and payroll reporting
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to getting things right
• The ability to manage competing priorities and work independently
• Strong communication skills and the confidence to provide payroll advice to a range of stakeholders
• A positive, practical and solutions-focused approach.

• Experience in local government or the wider public sector would be useful, but it’s not essential.

He aha te wariu o te utu kaimahi? | What’s the salary?

Circa $90K dependent on skills and experience.

Ngaa waahi whakarato painga kei a maatou: What we offer

We invest in our people, their wellbeing, and their future. That's why we offer a range of benefits designed to support you both inside and outside of work, including:

• We support flexible ways of working that balance individual wellbeing, team and business needs. And great outcomes for our community.
• We support professional development and opportunities to grow your career.
• Two wellbeing days each year to focus on what matters most to you (after one year of service).
• Fully funded Unimed health insurance, including hospital and surgical cover, with discounted rates for family members.
• Free annual health checks and flu vaccinations.
• The option to purchase additional annual leave for greater flexibility.
• Eye care support, including reimbursement towards eye testing and prescription glasses.
• Access to a wide range of local discounts, including gyms, healthcare providers, retail stores, and more.

Me Tono Inaaianei!: Apply Now!

• View the position description.
• Click apply
• ​Complete your application.

If you wish to include a cover letter with your application, please combine this in the same file as your resume and upload as a PDF file. Alternatively, you can use the 'Write a message to the Hiring Team' text box.

Applications close on the: 18 November 2026

Note: We will be shortlisting as we receive applications.

Council is committed to honouring the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi through its relationship with Kiingitanga, Waikato Tainui, mana whenua and maataa waka within Hamilton Kirikiriroa.

All candidates will be notified of the outcome on their application via email. Short-listed candidates will be required to complete an interview process, reference checks and a criminal check. Further background checking will be required when relevant to the role. View more information about these checks, our commitment to the Privacy act and details for international applicants by clicking here

It is important to us that we support you throughout our selection process (interview and assessments). If you have any access needs during this process, let us know in advance so we can make sure these are met.

As a council, we believe in creating a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and belongs. We value inclusiveness (Kotahitanga) – we respect and value the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents that everyone brings.

This role is being sourced directly. If/where Hamilton City Council requires the support of a recruitment agency, we will seek this support from our panel of selected agencies. Hamilton City Council will not be responsible for, and will not pay, any commissions, fees or other payments related to unsolicited contact.