Payroll Systems & Data Analyst

About Environment Canterbury

Environment Canterbury is a regional council dedicated to managing natural resources such as air, soil, water, and land to safeguard the region’s environment. Collaborating with mana whenua Ngāi Tahu, the council aims to foster a sustainable and prosperous future amid evolving environmental and legislative challenges. The organisation delivers services focused on environmental regulation and protection, community hazard preparedness and response, and public transport.

Role Overview

This permanent full-time position based in Christchurch offers an opportunity to work within the People, Safety and Wellbeing team, focusing on payroll systems expertise, workforce analytics, reporting, and data insights. The role ensures that payroll processing is accurate, compliant, and efficient while providing leadership with actionable workforce data to guide decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze payroll and workforce information to extract meaningful insights.
• Convert complex payroll, workforce, and legislative data into understandable and actionable reports.
• Oversee the optimization and proper use of payroll systems, guaranteeing data accuracy and compliance.
• Create and manage detailed workforce reports, dashboards, and analytics highlighting trends, risks, and opportunities throughout the employee lifecycle.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is analytically minded with a passion for problem-solving and enhancing system efficiency. They possess deep knowledge of payroll systems and compliance and demonstrate advanced skills in data analytics, reporting, and transforming data into valuable business insights. Effective communication with diverse stakeholders and a commitment to contributing to Canterbury’s community-driven organisation are essential.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• A degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Information Systems, Data Analytics, or a related field.
• Minimum of seven years’ experience managing payroll systems, processing payroll data, and conducting workforce analytics.
• Proven track record in developing dashboards, visualizations, and metrics that support workforce planning and performance evaluation.
• Experience driving process improvements to enhance payroll and data outcomes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and expertise using SQL or equivalent data querying languages.
• Familiarity with payroll systems, HRIS platforms, reporting tools, and data visualization software such as Power BI.

Work Culture and Values

Environment Canterbury values stewardship, integrity, prioritizing people, collaboration, and a proactive ‘can do’ attitude. The organisation champions diversity and inclusion, encouraging the use and integration of te ao Māori knowledge, languages, and practices. Support is provided for personal and professional development in these areas.

Additional Information

Applications must be submitted directly through the online form with a CV and cover letter before the closing date on Wednesday, 2 September. Early applications are encouraged as interviews may begin prior to the deadline and the position might close early. Shortlisted candidates will undergo an interview process, reference checks, and criminal background verification as appropriate. The organisation is committed to fostering diversity and inclusivity and welcomes applicants who may not meet every listed qualification but are motivated by the role.