While money may not be every candidate’s primary motivation, it remains one of the greatest drivers of attraction. An understanding of the top-paying roles can help to shape your budget and drive a successful recruitment strategy.
The following list of high-paying jobs includes a description of the role, the average advertised salary and some similar job titles that may help you in shaping your next job ad:
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1. Head of Engineering
Salary: $167,500
About the role: A Head of Engineering manages a team to develop and deliver technical assets, such as software and infrastructure.
Most advertised in: Engineering
Similar roles: Director of Engineering, Lead Engineer
2. Head of Information Technology
Salary: $167,142
About the role: A Head of IT oversees the IT strategy for an organisation and implements the policies and goals of the IT department.
Most advertised in: Information & Communication Technology
Similar roles: Director of IT, Chief Information Officer, CIO
3. Commercial Director
Salary: $164,615
About the role: A Commercial Director drives strong commercial outcomes on real estate projects and identifies new market opportunities.
Most advertised in: Real Estate & Property
Similar roles: Head of Commercial, Commercial Manager
4. Finance Director
Salary: $160,476
About the role: A Finance Director oversees accounting and financial control functions and develops a financial strategy for growth.
Most advertised in: Accounting
Similar roles: Financial Controller, Chief Financial Officer
5. Project Director
Salary: $159,347
About the role: A Project Director plans and oversees all construction activities and is responsible for overall project outcomes.
Most advertised in: Construction
Similar roles: Senior Project Manager
6. Group Accountant Director
Salary: $154,000
About the role: A Group Account Director oversees client management and media campaigns and plays a key role in acquiring new business.
Most advertised in: Accounting
Similar roles: Group Account Manager
7. Enterprise Architect
Salary: $153,314
About the role: An Enterprise Architect organises IT infrastructure and ensures IT projects and policies align with business goals.
Most advertised in: Information & Communication Technology
Similar roles: Solution Architect
8. Head of Human Resources
Salary: $150,833
About the role: This role is responsible for the smooth and profitable operations of an HR department and developing overall HR policy.
Most advertised in: Human Resources & Recruitment
Similar roles: Director of Human Resources, HR Director
9. General Practitioner
Salary: $150,330
About the role: GPs treat a wide range of medical issues and are often the first point of contact for someone with a health concern.
Most advertised in: Healthcare & Medical
Similar roles: GP, Doctor
10. Design Director
Salary: $150,000
About the role: A design director sets a studio's creative direction and leads of team of designers in the delivery of design projects.
Most advertised in: Design & Architecture
Similar roles: Creative Director
11. Head of Finance
Salary: $149,214
About the role: A Head of Finance oversees financial reporting, compliance and the development of an organisation's finance function.
Most advertised in: Accounting
Similar roles: Financial Manager, Chief Financial Officer
12. Application Architect
Salary: $148,823
About the role: An Application Architect designs and develops the architecture of IT applications for a project or an organisation.
Most advertised in: Information & Communication Technology
Similar roles: Technical Architect, Enterprise Architect
13. Head of Technology
Salary: $148,125
About the role: This role oversees the technical operations of an organisation, which may include managing infrastructure and IT teams.
Most advertised in: Information & Communication Technology
Similar roles: Technology Director, Chief Technology Officer
14. Head of Digital
Salary: $147,567
About the role: Head of Digital is responsible for increasing customer engagement, value and frequency across all digital channels.
Most advertised in: Marketing & Communications
Similar roles: Chief Digital Officer
15. Head of Communication
Salary: $147,115
About the role: This role is responsible for managing and directing an organisation's internal and external communications strategy.
Most advertised in: Marketing & Communications
Similar roles: Communications Director
16. Head of Product
Salary: $146,000
About the role: A Head of Product oversees technology product development and innovation and leads a team to implement product strategy.
Most advertised in: Information & Communication Technology
Similar roles: Director of Product Development
17. Cloud Architect
Salary: $143,750
About the role: This role is responsible for managing cloud computing architecture, including cloud adoption, management and monitoring.
Most advertised in: Information & Communication Technology
Similar roles: Cloud Solutions Architect
18. Business Director
Salary: $143,461
About the role: A Business Director often operates in a media or advertising company to lead a client’s creative and media solutions and ensures work is aligned with client objectives.
Most advertised in: Advertising, Arts & Media
Similar roles: Senior Account Manager
19. Technical Director
Salary: $142,611
About the role: This role provides design and technical leadership to teams within fields such as structural or mechanical engineering.
Most advertised in: Engineering
Similar roles: Senior Technician
20. Business Intelligence Manager
Salary: $142,416
About the role: Business Intelligence Managers provide data solutions for strategies in an organisation and manage business analytics.
Most advertised in: Information & Communications Technology
Similar roles: Business Intelligence Analyst, Business Intelligence Specialist
Source: SEEK Salary Review, annual full-time salary averages by role type, 2011/12-2018/19, SEEK.
Looking for more salary trends?
With 2020 on the horizon, we look back at New Zealand's salary trends to reveal the 20 biggest pay rises, plus the largest falls.
