Senior HR Applications Specialist

About the role

Join a leading tertiary education provider in New Zealand as a Senior HR Applications Specialist. You will be the go‑to expert for the organisation's HR and payroll systems, ensuring they run smoothly, securely, and evolve to meet business needs.

Key responsibilities

• Handle day‑to‑day HCM and payroll system queries, diagnose root causes and recommend configuration changes.
• Maintain system stability and standardisation across the enterprise.
• Lead the migration of the single source of truth from Ascender to Oracle HCM.
• Deliver enhancements, new features and continuous improvement initiatives for HCM.
• Support the rollout of new online service tools to improve employee and manager experiences.
• Provide advanced technical support, including security, access management, testing, troubleshooting and vendor liaison.
• Develop and maintain system environments, test plans and release processes.
• Advise HR users, Digital Solutions teams and external vendors on system usage and best practices.

Required profile

• Proven experience with HR and payroll applications in large, complex organisations.
• Exposure to Oracle HCM (preferred) and familiarity with Ascender.
• Strong ability to analyse system issues, interpret data and suggest configuration solutions.
• Experience in testing, process improvement and delivering new HCM features.
• Ability to balance routine support with project and enhancement work.
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills across HR, technology and vendor teams.

Required skills

• Oracle HCM
• Ascender
• HR applications
• Payroll applications
• System security
• Testing
• Release management

What we offer

• Hybrid working model with one day per week remote.
• Opportunity to influence enterprise‑level HR technology strategy.
• Collaborative environment with HR, Digital Solutions and external partners.