Global Payroll Implementation Manager

Ernst & Young Advisory Services Sdn Bhd; Wrocław; On-site; PLN 250,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

EY GDS Poland is seeking a seasoned Global Payroll Program Manager to lead large-scale payroll implementations across regions. You will drive governance, risk management, and stakeholder engagement while coordinating cross-functional teams and vendors to ensure timely, compliant delivery.

The role requires deep experience in multi-country payroll and strong project management, with capabilities in AI analytics and automation to optimize operations across geographies.

Qualifications

• Graduate or Post Graduate in Accounting / Finance / Administrations / Operations; MBA preferred.
• Experience: 10-15 years with at least 8 years in payroll implementations for large orgs.
• Strong program and project management experience (PMP, Prince2, Agile preferred).
• Experience with AI-powered analytics, automation, or intelligent payroll operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead large-scale global payroll implementation programs across multiple regions and countries.
• Apply best-practice methodologies to deliver projects on time and within scope & budget.
• Serve as primary contact for client stakeholders and manage expectations.
• Oversee payroll technology integrations with client systems and ensure data flow compliance.
• Lead cross-functional teams and vendors, driving collaboration and accountability.
• Manage end-to-end payroll implementation lifecycle from planning to stabilization.
• Provide executive updates and drive steering committee meetings.

Skills

Global payroll

Multi-country payroll

IT & HRIS integrations

UAT & testing

Client engagement

Project governance

Education

Bachelor/Master in Finance/Accounting/Business

MBA preferred

Tools

Workday

SuccessFactors

HRIS

Payroll platforms

Job description

Let us introduce you the job offer by EY GDS Poland – a member of the global integrated service delivery center network by EY.

The Global Payroll Implementation Program Manager holds primary responsibility for leading all global payroll implementation programs within EY GDS for the Global Payroll Operate business, under the People Advisory Services division of the Tax service line. This role requires experience in global payroll implementation, project management, client engagement, transformation, business acumen, and change management to successfully deliver large-scale implementations for clients across multiple geographies.

Your key responsibilities

• Lead large-scale global payroll implementation programs across multiple regions and countries, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and client expectations.
• Apply recognized best-practice methodologies (risk management, governance, quality assurance, issue resolution, and reporting) to deliver projects on time and within scope & budget
• Act as the primary point of contact for client stakeholders, ensuring clear communication, expectation management, and satisfaction throughout the project lifecycle.
• Oversee integration of payroll technology platforms with client systems (Inbound & Outbound), ensuring seamless data flow and compliance.
• Manage cross-functional teams, including internal resources and third‑party vendors, fostering collaboration and accountability.
• Oversee multiple country‑level implementation projects, ensuring alignment to global methodology and timelines. Identify and mitigate risks, ensuring compliance with global payroll regulations and standards.
• Manage end‑to‑end payroll implementation lifecycle including planning, discovery, design, configuration, testing, parallel runs, cut‑over, go‑live & stabilization.
• Manage client expectations, scope, and change control. Build strong relationships with external clients and internal stakeholders. Report executive‑level stakeholder updates and drive steerco meetings.
• Develop client facing materials that orient and prepare the client for a successful understanding and execution of implementation to operational production including training, tools, processes, contact lists, escalation procedures, operational performance measures, etc.
• Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction by delivering project cost, schedule and quality objectives.
• Define ongoing key performance measures that identify and report on client satisfaction and team performance related to implementation activities.
• Review project outcomes to identify and implement corrective actions that improve future delivery in terms of cost, quality, and customer satisfaction.
• Interview, onboard, develop and grow talent that continually meets or exceeds job requirements. Mentor project managers, project stakeholders to align with global standards.
• Possesses experience in team management and feedback communication, with the ability to encourage project managers and unite everyone as a cohesive team.
• Capable of defining program goals, vision, and success metrics that align with and support the overall business strategy.

Skills and attributes for success

• End‑to‑end global payroll implementation knowledge is essential. Thorough understanding of upstream and downstream processes that impact Payroll.
• Should have managed multi‑country Payroll implementations in a shared service environment.
• Flexibility and good team working skills. Excellent communication, presentation, and leadership skills.
• Highly organized with excellent customer service skills and comfortable in a client‑facing environment.
• Strong IT and functional integration knowledge (Workday, SuccessFactors, HRIS, payroll platforms, T&A & various HRMS Modules).
• Proven capability to define, document and rollout procedures and processes across multiple departments and/or groups.
• Expertise in UAT, scenario testing, payroll parallel runs, data validation, and go‑live cutover.
• Ability to effectively engage with prospects or clients to properly position the value and scope of services provided by the team.
• Ability to work with internal/external customers globally and/or virtual basis. Ability to develop standard implementation methodology, tools and templates.

To qualify for the role, you must have

• Graduate or Post Graduate in Accounting / Finance / Administrations/ Operations. MBA or Business Management skills preferred.
• An overall 10 -15 years’ experience with at least 8 years of relevant hands‑on experience in Payroll implementations for large organizations.
• Strong program and project management experience (PMP, Prince2, Agile preferred).
• Experience with AI‑powered analytics, automation, or intelligent payroll operations.

What we offer

EY Global Delivery Services (GDS) is a dynamic and truly global delivery network. We work across nine locations – Argentina, Hungary, India, the Philippines, Poland, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Spain and the United Kingdom – and with teams from all EY service lines, geographies and sectors, playing a vital role in the delivery of the EY growth strategy. From accountants to coders to advisory consultants, we offer a wide variety of fulfilling career opportunities that span all business disciplines. In GDS, you will collaborate with EY teams on exciting projects and work with well‑known brands from across the globe. We’ll introduce you to an ever‑expanding ecosystem of people, learning, skills and insights that will stay with you throughout your career.

• Continuous learning: You’ll develop the mindset and skills to navigate whatever comes next.
• Success as defined by you: We’ll provide the tools and flexibility, so you can make a meaningful impact, your way.
• Transformative leadership: We’ll give you the insights, coaching and confidence to be the leader the world needs.
• Diverse and inclusive culture:You’ll be embraced for who you are and empowered to use your voice to help others find theirs.

About EY

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EY exists to build a better working world, helping to create long‑term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets.

Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate.

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