Senior Payroll Officer

About the company

Wētā FX is known for delivering imaginative, technically advanced visual effects and animation for major film and television productions. The organisation brings together creative artists, engineers, and support teams to take complex projects from concept through to completion.

Its work has featured iconic characters such as Gollum, Kong, Neytiri, and Caesar, along with memorable worlds including Middle-earth and Pandora. The studio’s output has earned significant industry recognition, including multiple Academy Awards for visual effects.

Role overview

Wētā FX is seeking a Senior Payroll Officer to join its Finance function. The role is central to making sure employees are paid correctly and on schedule every week. It involves close coordination with outsourced payroll partners and internal stakeholders, and combines hands-on payroll delivery with responsibility for controls and process improvement in a busy environment that covers both staff and contractors.

This opportunity is well suited to a payroll specialist who is comfortable with weekly pay runs, works carefully and accurately, and enjoys operating in a fast-moving, multi-layered workplace.

Key responsibilities

• Run and coordinate weekly employee payroll activities, ensuring all payroll inputs are complete, correct, and submitted on time.
• Partner with outsourced payroll vendors and internal teams to move payroll information efficiently and resolve queries or issues.
• Examine payroll results, spot inconsistencies, and correct discrepancies before final sign-off.
• Handle weekly contractor payroll processing, including reconciliations and approval steps.
• Keep employee records and payroll configuration accurate across several systems, liaising closely with HR.
• Make sure new employees are entered properly into payroll and finance systems.
• Manage unusual cases and one-off payroll transactions as they arise.
• Find and resolve payroll problems proactively while supporting compliant payroll practices.
• Assist the Financial Operations team with broader payment activities and step in to provide cover when required.

What you will bring

• Minimum of five years’ experience in payroll, preferably in an outsourced payroll setting.
• Solid understanding of New Zealand payroll rules and employment legislation.
• Proven experience using multiple payroll platforms.
• Strong organisational skills, a sharp eye for detail, and high accuracy.
• Comfort working to tight deadlines in a fast-paced setting.
• Good communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a broad range of stakeholders.
• A dependable, discreet approach and the ability to handle confidential information responsibly.

Why this role stands out

At Wētā FX, you will support the people behind some of the most recognisable visual effects work in the world. The position offers the chance to take ownership of payroll operations in a demanding, high-performance environment while collaborating with both internal teams and external providers.

You will contribute to accurate, timely pay for the crew and help strengthen payroll processes and controls across the function.

Additional information

Wētā FX is committed to offering a recruitment experience free from discrimination. If you need any adjustments or support during the hiring process, you may contact the recruitment team at recruitment@wetafx.co.nz.

Location: Wellington