Payroll Specialist

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Two permanent positions available
• Join a supportive and collaborative Employment Practices team
• Wellington based opportunities within MBIE’s People and Culture branch
• Salary range: $68,380- $77,359 plus KiwiSaver and wellness benefits depending on experience

Tēnei tūranga - About the Role:

We have two exciting opportunities to join MBIE’s Employment Practices team as Payroll Specialists. Whether you’re looking to start or grow your career in payroll or you’re an experienced professional ready for your next challenge, we’d love to hear from you.

As a Payroll Specialist, you’ll provide confidential, accurate, and timely payroll services for all MBIE employees. You’ll work collaboratively within a busy team environment, ensuring processes are documented and audited at all times. This role offers variety and exposure across the end-to-end lifecycle of an employee’s journey through MBIE.

Entry Level: Ideal for someone keen to learn and establish a career in payroll.  You’ll gain exposure to payroll systems, reporting, and compliance processes, along with learning knowledge of payroll legislation. Expected entry salary $68K-70K.

Experienced: You’ll bring a strong understanding of New Zealand payroll legislation, including the Holidays Act, and proven experience managing complex payroll processes in a large organisation. You’ll also be confident using payroll systems and advanced Excel functions to ensure accuracy and compliance.

Both roles require excellent attention to detail, a customer-focused approach, and the ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines.

Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana - Skills and Experience Required

For both roles:

• Strong administration and accurate data entry skills with attention to detail
• Ability to prioritise workload, multi-task, and meet deadlines
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Customer service focus and reputation for delivering high-quality work
• Comfortable working with confidential information and maintaining discretion
• Must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand

Entry Level:

• Basic understanding of payroll processes or willingness to learn
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel
• Ability to learn and navigate payroll systems quickly
• Strong numerical and analytical skills

Experienced:

• Minimum of 2 years’ payroll experience in a large, complex environment
• Intermediate Excel skills
• Proven experience using payroll software (e.g., SAP or similar)
• Strong understanding of New Zealand payroll legislation, including the Holidays Act
• Ability to interpret and apply complex contractual agreements
• Experience with auditing payroll processes and ensuring compliance
• Familiarity with reporting and reconciliation processes

Ētahi kōrero mō MBIE - About MBIE:

MBIE's goal is to create a resilient and high-performing economy that delivers real and ongoing quality of life for all New Zealanders.

We do this by working with others to create an environment that supports businesses to be more productive and internationally competitive, enables all New Zealanders to participate in the economy through improved job opportunities and by working to ensure quality housing is more affordable.

People are at the heart of our mahi, our way of working is guided by our values which shape our behaviours.

• Mahi Tahi – Better Together
• Māia – Bold and brave
• Pae Kahurangi – Build our Future
• Pono Me Te Tika – Own It

Our aspirations are echoed in our Māori identity – Hīkina Whakatutuki – which broadly means ‘lifting to make successful'.

MBIE recognises the partnership founded under Te Tiriti o Waitangi between Māori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We will do this through enduring, meaningful and effective partnerships with iwi, Māori, other Māori groups/organisations and the Crown, as this is critical to enable economic and social development, both for Māori and for wider Aotearoa New Zealand. We are committed to continuing to partner with iwi in order to find new sustainable solutions to address long standing systemic and cross-cutting issues facing Māori and wider Aotearoa New Zealand and we are also committed to identifying opportunities for iwi to lead and creating an enabling environment for iwi to leverage these opportunities.

E mōhio ana a Hīkina Whakatutuki i puea ake te kōtuinga I waenganui i a ngāi Māori me te Karauna i Te Tiriti o Waitangi, ā, kei te whai ia ki te whakaū ake i Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Mā te whai kiko o ngā kōtuinga ahungaroa o ngāi wi, o ngāi Māori, me ētahi atu rōpū Māori ki te Karauna, katutuki tēnei. He āhuatanga nui tēnei e āhei ai ngā mahi whanaketanga ā-ohanga, ā-pāpori hoki ki a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui. E whai tonu ana mātou ki te kōtui atu ki ngā iwi mō te rapu huarahi hou ki te whakaara i ngā kaupapakua roa nei e tāmi ana i a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui, ā, e whai ana hoki ki te tautohu i ngā āheinga kōkiritanga mā ngā iwi, me te tautoko i ngā iwi kia whai mana ake ai ēnei āheinga.

Me pēhea te tono - How to Apply:

Click here to view a position description. 

All applications must be submitted via our online process and include a Cover Letter and CV outlining your interest and suitability for the role. In your Cover Letter, please indicate whether you are applying for the Experienced Payroll Specialist position or the Entry Level Payroll Specialist position.

Email Danielle Plane at Danielle.Plane2@mbie.govt.nz if you have any further questions.

Applications close on 11 January 2026 (midnight). Please note, queries will not be monitored over the Christmas break, but queries will be responded to as soon as possible in the new year.