Payroll Specialist
- Auckland University of Technology
- New Zealand, AUK
- Jul 8, 2026
Job Description:
- Bring your can-do attitude, knowledge, passion, and ideas
- Opportunity to grow your career
- Full-time, 10 months fixed-term based at our City Campus
Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is bold and unapologetically different, centred on students and grounded in Knowledge that Works, driven by talented, progressive people. We are New Zealand’s newest university, ranked 5 stars by QS Universities 2025, and a place of opportunity where more than 26,000 students with talent and potential succeed, supported by a community of more than 4,000 staff based primarily across three Auckland campuses. Built on collaboration, shared purpose, and the values of Pono (fact, truth, reality, integrity), Tika (acting accordingly, doing what is needed, ethical expression), and Aroha (empathy, care, compassion). AUT offers an innovative, forward-thinking environment where committed people work together to improve outcomes for students, communities, and the world.
AUT recognises the importance of Te Tiriti, Māori and Pacific knowledge, leadership, and contribution across our university and is committed to creating environments where these communities can thrive. We embrace diversity in all its forms and are proud to welcome people of all ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, religious and political beliefs, socio-economic situations, and accessibility needs.
People and Culture is a strategic enabler of AUT’s mission, partnering across the University to build a high-performing, inclusive, and future-focused workforce. We lift organisational performance through workforce strategy, strong leadership practices, and a people experience that helps AUT’s strategy land. Guided by our People Plan, we build future capability by enabling people to thrive, strengthening belonging, and bringing our culture and values to life in everything we do.
The Opportunity | Te Whiwhinga mahi
An exciting fixed-term opportunity (parental leave cover – 10 months) has arisen for a Payroll Specialist to join the team, responsible for delivering accurate and efficient payroll services while ensuring compliance and providing support to employees and stakeholders.
Your role and contribution:
- Proactively manage end-to-end payroll processing and administration, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and full compliance with employment legislation and employment agreements
- Providing clear written and verbal communications with accurate attention to detail
- Putting yourself in the customer's shoes in your approach
- Contributing positively to the HR Shared Services team culture, workload, and improvements
- Maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive and personal information and contributing to good data governance.
About you | Ko wai koe
If you’re the kind of person who isn’t afraid to try new things, explore bold ideas, and inject real energy and passion into the entire university experience, you’ll fit right in.
To be successful in this role, you will have:
- A minimum of five years' NZ experience in a high-volume payroll process role (you can manage high transactional volumes)
- A thorough, demonstrable, and comprehensive understanding of New Zealand payroll legislation, including the Holidays Act and tax obligations (you understand what your processing)
- You can balance the need for payroll transactional processing, but also have a desire to make processes better through continuous improvement (you have a desire to always do better and a willingness to bring forward your ideas)
- Ability to work under pressure, on your own, and as part of a highly collaborative team
- You are customer savvy, understanding the need to apply empathy and navigate policy, including the importance of connecting internal teams to support complex or sensitive situations to completion
- You are super organised, have your fingers on the pulse, and understand the importance of getting people paid on time and accurately within tight deadlines.
- A commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Supportive of AUT’s Te Aronui journey (https://www.aut.ac.nz/about/maori/auts-commitment-to-Te-Tiriti-o-Waitangi).
As a professional member of staff at AUT, you’ll help keep us moving forward by improving our services and streamlining our systems to support the experiences of students and staff across our campuses. By working collaboratively, solving problems, and driving practical improvements, you’ll play a vital role in helping us operate smoothly, raise our profile, and evolve what we do every day.
You will bring an open, engaging, and collaborative approach, with the flexibility to respond to changing requirements, and actively contribute to a positive and collegial environment. You will demonstrate cultural humility, awareness, and respect when engaging with indigenous peoples and culturally diverse communities. Experience supporting indigenous, equity, or inclusion-focused initiatives is highly desirable.
What we offer | Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou
At AUT, you’ll be part of a values-led university that supports you to thrive in your role and career. We offer:
- Flexible working and a strong, caring culture that supports belonging.
- Great opportunity to build on your payroll skills and experience.
- Working with a great team who are supportive, fun, and wants you to succeed.
- Opportunities to be part of the process improvements and projects that are continuously happening.
- Ongoing support and training opportunities for personal and professional development.
- Recognition frameworks that reflect your contribution and how you live our values.
- The tools and trust to make a meaningful difference every day.
- Māori and Pacific development programmes that strengthen our shared purpose.
- Cultural capability uplift development programmes for all staff.
How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono
Along with your CV, please ensure to submit a cover letter which a) explains why this role (and AUT) is of interest, and b) addresses how you feel you meet some, or all, of the key criteria listed above.
Please feel free to add any further comments you feel may also support your application. All applications must be submitted through the online application process.
Further Information | Pārongo Anō
- Start Date: To be discussed with the successful candidate
- Salary Ranges | Ngā Utu: $76,000 - $102,000 per annum (dependent on experience and qualifications)
- For further information: please send us an enquiry here or call 09 921 9499.
Closing Date | Te rā aukati: 22nd July 2026, at 11:55 pm
Job Reference | Tohutoro Mahi: 96100
*Full-time denotes 37.5 hours per week
Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou ka ora ai te iwi.
With your food basket and my food basket, the people will thrive.
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Job Description:
- Bring your can-do attitude, knowledge, passion, and ideas
- Opportunity to grow your career
- Full-time, 10 months fixed-term based at our City Campus
Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is bold and unapologetically different, centred on students and grounded in Knowledge that Works, driven by talented, progressive people. We are New Zealand’s newest university, ranked 5 stars by QS Universities 2025, and a place of opportunity where more than 26,000 students with talent and potential succeed, supported by a community of more than 4,000 staff based primarily across three Auckland campuses. Built on collaboration, shared purpose, and the values of Pono (fact, truth, reality, integrity), Tika (acting accordingly, doing what is needed, ethical expression), and Aroha (empathy, care, compassion). AUT offers an innovative, forward-thinking environment where committed people work together to improve outcomes for students, communities, and the world.
AUT recognises the importance of Te Tiriti, Māori and Pacific knowledge, leadership, and contribution across our university and is committed to creating environments where these communities can thrive. We embrace diversity in all its forms and are proud to welcome people of all ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, religious and political beliefs, socio-economic situations, and accessibility needs.
People and Culture is a strategic enabler of AUT’s mission, partnering across the University to build a high-performing, inclusive, and future-focused workforce. We lift organisational performance through workforce strategy, strong leadership practices, and a people experience that helps AUT’s strategy land. Guided by our People Plan, we build future capability by enabling people to thrive, strengthening belonging, and bringing our culture and values to life in everything we do.
The Opportunity | Te Whiwhinga mahi
An exciting fixed-term opportunity (parental leave cover – 10 months) has arisen for a Payroll Specialist to join the team, responsible for delivering accurate and efficient payroll services while ensuring compliance and providing support to employees and stakeholders.
Your role and contribution:
- Proactively manage end-to-end payroll processing and administration, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and full compliance with employment legislation and employment agreements
- Providing clear written and verbal communications with accurate attention to detail
- Putting yourself in the customer's shoes in your approach
- Contributing positively to the HR Shared Services team culture, workload, and improvements
- Maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive and personal information and contributing to good data governance.
About you | Ko wai koe
If you’re the kind of person who isn’t afraid to try new things, explore bold ideas, and inject real energy and passion into the entire university experience, you’ll fit right in.
To be successful in this role, you will have:
- A minimum of five years' NZ experience in a high-volume payroll process role (you can manage high transactional volumes)
- A thorough, demonstrable, and comprehensive understanding of New Zealand payroll legislation, including the Holidays Act and tax obligations (you understand what your processing)
- You can balance the need for payroll transactional processing, but also have a desire to make processes better through continuous improvement (you have a desire to always do better and a willingness to bring forward your ideas)
- Ability to work under pressure, on your own, and as part of a highly collaborative team
- You are customer savvy, understanding the need to apply empathy and navigate policy, including the importance of connecting internal teams to support complex or sensitive situations to completion
- You are super organised, have your fingers on the pulse, and understand the importance of getting people paid on time and accurately within tight deadlines.
- A commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Supportive of AUT’s Te Aronui journey (https://www.aut.ac.nz/about/maori/auts-commitment-to-Te-Tiriti-o-Waitangi).
As a professional member of staff at AUT, you’ll help keep us moving forward by improving our services and streamlining our systems to support the experiences of students and staff across our campuses. By working collaboratively, solving problems, and driving practical improvements, you’ll play a vital role in helping us operate smoothly, raise our profile, and evolve what we do every day.
You will bring an open, engaging, and collaborative approach, with the flexibility to respond to changing requirements, and actively contribute to a positive and collegial environment. You will demonstrate cultural humility, awareness, and respect when engaging with indigenous peoples and culturally diverse communities. Experience supporting indigenous, equity, or inclusion-focused initiatives is highly desirable.
What we offer | Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou
At AUT, you’ll be part of a values-led university that supports you to thrive in your role and career. We offer:
- Flexible working and a strong, caring culture that supports belonging.
- Great opportunity to build on your payroll skills and experience.
- Working with a great team who are supportive, fun, and wants you to succeed.
- Opportunities to be part of the process improvements and projects that are continuously happening.
- Ongoing support and training opportunities for personal and professional development.
- Recognition frameworks that reflect your contribution and how you live our values.
- The tools and trust to make a meaningful difference every day.
- Māori and Pacific development programmes that strengthen our shared purpose.
- Cultural capability uplift development programmes for all staff.
How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono
Along with your CV, please ensure to submit a cover letter which a) explains why this role (and AUT) is of interest, and b) addresses how you feel you meet some, or all, of the key criteria listed above.
Please feel free to add any further comments you feel may also support your application. All applications must be submitted through the online application process.
Further Information | Pārongo Anō
- Start Date: To be discussed with the successful candidate
- Salary Ranges | Ngā Utu: $76,000 - $102,000 per annum (dependent on experience and qualifications)
- For further information: please send us an enquiry here or call 09 921 9499.
Closing Date | Te rā aukati: 22nd July 2026, at 11:55 pm
Job Reference | Tohutoro Mahi: 96100
*Full-time denotes 37.5 hours per week
Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou ka ora ai te iwi.
With your food basket and my food basket, the people will thrive.
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