20 jobs that command top salaries
Ready to recruit for a new role? Will it demand one of the highest salaries in New Zealand? We’ve crunched the numbers to reveal 20 job titles that command top dollar.
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:
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.