HR & Payroll Coordinator

E te kaikimi mahi, tēnā koe

If you are a passionate people person with skills in payroll, who wants to contribute to lifesaving medical research, read on!

The Malaghan Institute of Medical Research is New Zealand’s leading independent biomedical research institute, with a focus on breakthrough discoveries in immunology and immunotherapy. We have around 160 staff committed to finding cures for diseases using the body’s own immune system. 

About the role

This is a people-focused HR role that sits right at the heart of our organisation. You’ll keep our HR administration running smoothly, take care of payroll processing, and play an active role in the things that make Malaghan a great place to work — from running exit interviews and supporting wellbeing initiatives to helping build and maintain our Institute culture.

It’s a varied, hands-on role that suits someone who enjoys a mix of structured admin work and genuine people interaction. You’ll work closely with the Head of HR and HR Coordinator, contributing to a small, close-knit team who look out for one another and pitch in wherever needed.

This is a full time position located at our central Wellington facility. 

Ngā kawenga | Key Responsibilities

HR Administration

• Maintain accurate employee records and data in BambooHR.
• Support the HR and Recruitment Coordinator with visitor, student and collaborator contracts, authorisations and inductions.
• Draft employment contracts and variations, ensuring accuracy and timely turnaround.
• Coordinate learning and development logistics, including scheduling training, maintaining learning records and supporting staff through induction programmes.
• Contribute to HR projects and continuous improvement — including policy reviews, process documentation and HR system enhancements — supporting the team to work smarter over time.
• Prepare HR reports and assist with cyclical HR activities such as performance management and remuneration rounds.
• Contribute to and help implement HR and H&S policies, processes and initiatives as needed.

Culture, Wellbeing and Employee Experience

• Play an active role in designing and delivering employee wellbeing and engagement initiatives, helping to make Malaghan a place where people thrive.
• Conduct exit interviews and check-in conversations, identifying trends and reporting findings to the Head of HR.
• Measure the success of wellbeing initiatives through surveys, discussions and reporting.
• Be an active advocate for a positive workplace culture, including the Engagement Survey, Leadership Development and H&S programmes.

Payroll

• Process the fortnightly payroll accurately and on time, including maintaining employee details in Datacom (Tax, KiwiSaver, Visa), setting up new starters and processing terminations.
• Handle payroll queries from staff and government departments (IRD, WINZ) with care and discretion.
• Maintain payroll records for audit and compliance purposes and ensure all instructions have correct authorisation.

Ngā ahuatanga | Desired traits

You’re an organised, warm and detail-oriented person who genuinely cares about people and workplace culture. You’re comfortable switching between careful admin work and meaningful conversations with staff, and you take pride in both. You handle sensitive information with discretion, communicate clearly, and bring a positive, can-do attitude to everything you do.

You’ll bring a solid grounding in HR and payroll, with enough experience to work confidently and independently across the day-to-day — and a genuine enthusiasm for contributing to a workplace where everyone feels valued.

Ngā Pūkenga | Experience and Skills

You’ll ideally bring:

• 2–3 years’ experience in an HR administration, coordination or people support role.
• Demonstrated experience processing end-to-end payroll; familiarity with Datacom or a similar system is required.
• A good understanding of NZ employment legislation, Employment leave and HR processes.
• Strong attention to detail and confidence maintaining accurate records and HR data.
• Warm interpersonal skills and the ability to handle sensitive conversations and information with care.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to juggle a varied workload.
• Genuine interest in employee wellbeing, culture and inclusion.
• Experience with BambooHR or a similar HRIS is helpful but not essential.
  

Ngā painga | Benefits

• Opportunity to contribute to ground-breaking and life-saving research.
• A supportive team culture.
• Exposure to a unique research environment working with highly driven scientists and support staff.
• Training and development opportunities to support you in your career with us, with potential for career progression.
• Employee Assistance Programme – confidential, professional services which can support and guide you through your personal or work challenges.
• An excellent location, with great offices at Victoria University in Kelburn offering a great choice of cafes and other amenities.
• Base salary from 65k to 78k per annum, negotiable depending on experience.

The Malaghan Institute is also an equal opportunity employer, and values diversity alongside being committed to upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Vision Mātauranga. We support Māori health advancement in partnership with Te Urungi Māori, the Institute’s Māori advisory group, we therefore welcome Māori applicants for this role. 

Me Pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply:

If you share our passion for research, and think you’d be a valuable addition to our talented team, apply now by sending both your Cover Letter and CV. Applications close at 5pm on 26 June 2026 for a start date as soon as possible.

All CVs and cover letters are reviewed by humans in the Malaghan recruitment team. If you’ve taken the time to write an engaging letter directly addressing the role and the work we do, the least we can do is read it. Our promise to you is that your applications are not screened by AI. In return, we respectfully ask that no AI cover letters be submitted. 

Interviews may be held immediately should the right candidates apply, so don’t wait, tone inaianei!

Applicants must have the legal right to work in New Zealand.