The University of Auckland is seeking an experienced and strategic Associate Director, HR Services to lead the modernisation and delivery of our core HR services. Reporting to the Director of Human Resources and as a member of the HR Leadership Team, this role provides strategic and operational leadership across HR transactional services, payroll, HR systems, and workforce reporting and analytics.
What You'll Do
- Lead the delivery and continuous improvement of HR Services, including payroll, HR transactions, and workforce reporting and analytics.
- Strengthen and evolve HR service delivery models, moving from manual processes toward standardised, digitised, and scalable services.
- Provide enterprise‑level governance and oversight of payroll operations, ensuring accuracy, compliance, audit readiness, and risk management.
- Lead the development of decision‑grade workforce reporting and dashboards, shifting HR data from reporting to actionable insight for leaders.
- Partner closely with Finance, Digital, Risk, Audit and other stakeholders to deliver integrated, compliant and future‑focused services.
- Build and govern strategic vendor and system partnerships to maximise value, manage risk, and support timely delivery.
- Own HR and University‑wide transformation initiatives, including HRIS optimisation and digital capability uplift.
- Support the responsible adoption of automation and emerging technologies (including AI‑enabled tools) to improve service efficiency and experience.
- Lead and develop high‑performing teams, fostering clarity, accountability, psychological safety.
What We're Looking For
- Senior leadership experience within large or complex organisations.
- Demonstrated success modernising HR services.
- Strong governance capability across payroll, compliance, risk, and audit processes.
- Experience leading complex change in risk‑averse environments, with strong cross‑functional influence across HR, Finance, Digital, and Risk.
- Capability in establishing and governing strategic vendor and commercial partnerships.
- Experience in HRIS optimisation.
- Confidence enabling digital capability uplift, including automation and emerging technologies.
- A leadership style that creates clarity, focus, and momentum, while developing capable, engaged teams.
- A relevant tertiary qualification in Human Resources, Business, Commerce, Management, or a related discipline, or equivalent senior leadership experience.
- Minimum 10 years+ senior-level experience in HR service delivery, shared services, or people operations within a large, complex organisation.
- Demonstrated accountability for payroll operations, including governance, compliance, and audit readiness.
- Proven experience leading and developing multi-disciplinary teams in a service-oriented environment.
- Experience in HR reporting and people data, including the use of workforce metrics to support organisational decision-making.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with Finance, Risk, Audit, and compliance functions.
- Expert knowledge of end‑to‑end HR service delivery models, including shared services, payroll operations, and HR transactional environments within large, complex organisations.
- Sound understanding of information systems, digital enablement, and data privacy obligations, with the ability to provide informed oversight of HRIS, payroll systems, and reporting platforms.
- Advanced understanding of HR data, reporting, and workforce analytics, including data governance, quality assurance, and the interpretation of insights to inform organisational decision‑making.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across senior academic, professional, and service leadership groups.
- Commitment to equity, inclusion, and wellbeing, with an understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and their relevance to people leadership and service delivery in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Nice to Have
- Change Management certification.
Technical Stack
- Workday
- a-pay (payroll system)
Team & Environment
This role is a member of the HR Leadership Team, reporting directly to the Director of Human Resources.
Benefits & Compensation
- Salary: $186,100-$251,800.00
The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment.
