Payroll Systems and HR Analyst

• Turn data into insights that shape workforce planning
• Specialist role bridging payroll, systems and analytics
• Purpose-led regional council serving Canterbury communities
• Flexible working options + great learning and development

Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha │ About Environment Canterbury

Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha/Environment Canterbury is the regional council for the largest region in Aotearoa New Zealand, covering 44,500 square kilometres and a population of around 700,000. It manages the region’s natural resources – air, soil, water and land – and works in partnership with mana whenua Ngāi Tahu to protect the health of the environment and ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for Waitaha/Canterbury.

Its mahi is focused on three core services: Environmental Regulation and Protection, Community Preparedness and Response to Hazards, and Public Transport.

In a fast-changing environmental and political context, the council is committed to staying agile and to make work easier for its people by improving systems and processes and accurate, insightful workforce information sits at the heart of that.

Kōrero mō te Tūranga | About the Role

Payroll data holds some of the most valuable information an organisation has about its people: its workforce costs, where leave liability is building, how the workforce is changing, and where risk is emerging. Environment Canterbury is looking for someone who can find those patterns and turn them into a clear, compelling story that helps leaders plan.

This isn’t a payroll processing role, and it isn’t a pure reporting role, it’s for someone who genuinely enjoys both and its about understanding data from the inside including how the Holidays Act, employment agreements and system configuration shape payroll outcomes. This is a new role reporting to the Manager People Technology, Insights & Payroll within People, Safety & Wellbeing. The role works closely with People & Capability, Finance and Digital Solutions.

Mōu │ About You

You'll bring at least seven years' experience working with payroll and workforce data in a medium to large organisation, along with strong knowledge of the Holidays Act and New Zealand payroll legislation. Importantly, you'll understand how that legislation shapes payroll data, processes and outcomes, and how payroll system configuration and processing rules drive what ends up in the numbers.

You'll be confident extracting and analysing data using advanced Excel and SQL (or similar tools), and you'll have a track record of turning that analysis into insights that influence business decisions.

Just as importantly, you'll be able to explain complex data and legislative impacts clearly and persuasively to people who aren't specialists. You'll combine strong attention to detail with the ability to manage competing priorities.

You'll also hold a degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Information Systems, Data Analytics or a related field, and NZPPA certification would be an advantage.

Benefits:

• Flexible working options
• Great learning and development opportunities
• Meaningful work that directly supports the communities of Canterbury.

How to Apply: 

Candidates can apply, in strict confidence, online at www.sheffield.co.nz

To apply by email, please attach your cover letter and CV in a PDF format wherever possible and send to cvchc@sheffield.co.nz quoting 9293aa.  Applications close on 26 October 2026.  Emails will be electronically acknowledged, and further correspondence may be by email. 

Click here to view the Candidate Briefing document including a full Position Description.

For more information please phone Jane Pollitt on +64 3 353 4354.