Global HR & Payroll Transformation Manager

Grant Thornton (US); Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 147,200 - 196,880; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Annual discretionary bonus

Retirement plans

Paid sick leave

Job summary

Grant Thornton is seeking an experienced Manager to lead HR and Payroll transformation initiatives, developing global operating models and driving process improvements for clients. You will guide end‑to‑end projects, collaborate with cross‑functional teams, and contribute to sales opportunities and thought leadership within the practice.

The role emphasizes stakeholder engagement, mentor leadership, and delivering tailored solutions with a focus on compliance and efficiency across borders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, HR, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in HR/Payroll transformation, consulting, or related roles.
• Proficiency in HR and Payroll systems (UKG, Dayforce, Workday, SAP/SuccessFactors, etc.).
• Ability to align transformation initiatives with broader business strategy and workforce trends.
• Experience selecting and implementing HCM platforms and designing HR operating models.
• Familiarity with automation tools and data analytics to drive process improvement.
• Understanding of global payroll compliance, data privacy regulations, and cross‑border operations.
• Track record of mentoring teams, developing intellectual capital, and contributing to practice growth.
• Comfortable presenting to C‑Suite/senior executives and shaping strategic conversations.
• Strong project management, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Knowledge of compliance standards and risk mitigation strategies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Can travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Manage end‑to‑end delivery of HR and Payroll transformation projects, including operating model assessments, system implementations, system selection, and process redesign.
• Partner with clients to assess current state operations, identify pain points, and develop future‑state roadmaps for efficiency, scalability, and compliance.
• Drive continuous improvement and governance frameworks across HR and Payroll processes by implementing best practices, optimizing workflows, and leveraging technology.
• Design and lead workshops on workforce transformation strategy for stakeholder alignment and change management.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams and external vendors to ensure seamless integration of technology and processes.
• Own the delivery of project milestones, ensuring all deliverables meet quality standards and client expectations.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships by understanding business needs, delivering tailored solutions, and ensuring long‑term satisfaction and partnership.
• Lead and develop project teams by providing guidance, fostering collaboration, and mentoring junior resources; promote a culture of learning and accountability to build high‑performing teams.
• Collaborate with internal teams to contribute to methodology development, whitepapers, and thought leadership.
• Lead proposal development, pricing strategies, and scope definition, offering tailored solutions to prospective clients.
• Meet or exceed targeted utilization.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Travel flexibility

Data analytics

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business/HR or related field

Tools

UKG

Dayforce

Workday

SAP/SuccessFactors

Job description

Grant Thornton is seeking an experienced Manager to lead HR and Payroll transformation initiatives, developing global operating models and driving process improvements for clients. You will guide end‑to‑end projects, collaborate with cross‑functional teams, and contribute to sales opportunities and thought leadership within the practice.

The role emphasizes stakeholder engagement, mentor leadership, and delivering tailored solutions with a focus on compliance and efficiency across borders.