Manager, Strategy Operations - Payroll

Certexamdb; New York (NY); On-site; USD 155,500 - 171,050; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellness programs

Company retreats

Great benefits

Job summary

Certexamdb is seeking a Manager, Strategy Operations – Payroll to optimize execution and leadership in Payroll operations. This role requires a seasoned professional skilled in managing strategic operations across cross-functional teams and driving financial performance.

The ideal candidate will have a strong analytical mindset, with at least 5 years of professional experience in a SaaS or fintech environment. This position offers a competitive salary based in New York City.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience related to program/project management or strategy operations.
• Experience in SaaS, fintech, or B2B services preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with data tools.

Responsibilities

• Operate and improve core execution rhythms for the Payroll business.
• Lead cross-functional workstreams focused on scalability and financial performance.
• Clarify ambiguous problems and develop operational artifacts.

Skills

Program/project management

Strategic operations

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Excel

SQL

Job description

About Justworks

Who We Are At Justworks, you’ll enjoy a welcoming and casual environment, great benefits, wellness program offerings, company retreats, and the ability to interact with and learn from leaders in the startup community. We work hard and care about our most prized asset – our people. We’re helping businesses get off the ground by enabling them to focus on running their business. We solve HR issues. We’re data‑driven and never stop iterating. If you’d like to work in a supportive, entrepreneurial environment, are interested in building something meaningful and having fun while doing it, we’d love to hear from you. We’re united by shared goals and shared motivations at Justworks. These are best summed up in our company values, which are reflected in our product and in our team.

Values

Our Values If this sounds like you, you’ll fit right in.

Reporting

Reporting to the Head of Payroll, the Manager, Strategy Operations – Payroll is a strategic operator who helps the Payroll business execute effectively as it is being built and scaled. You work at the intersection of strategy, execution, and operating design – translating ambitious goals into clear plans, operating rhythms, and mechanisms that enable Payroll to grow sustainably.

Key Responsibilities

Running Operating Systems (~70%)

• Operate and continuously improve the core execution rhythms for the Payroll business, including planning cycles, prioritization forums, operating cadences, and performance tracking.
• Translate Payroll strategy and business objectives into clear goals, workplans, milestones, and accountability mechanisms.
• Create visibility into priorities, progress, risks, and trade‑offs across Payroll initiatives.
• Support the development of scalable processes, tooling, and services that reduce operational complexity and improve cost-to‑serve.
• Ensure alignment between Payroll execution and enterprise‑level planning, financial, and operating forums.
• Introduce lightweight structure that enables speed and learning without slowing down innovation.

Leading Cross‑Functional Workstreams & Initiatives (~20%)

• Own defined workstreams within high‑priority Payroll initiatives focused on scalability, customer experience, retention, and financial performance.
• Partner closely with Technology, Operations, Product, Finance, and Revenue to coordinate dependencies and drive execution.
• Translate strategic ideas (e.g., new services, product capabilities, monetization approaches) into executable plans.
• Identify gaps, risks, or misalignments in execution and drive resolution through strong collaboration and influence.
• Support experimentation and iteration as Payroll tests and refines new offerings and ways of working.

Structure, Clarity, & Team Enablement (~10%)

• Bring structure to ambiguous, early‑stage problems by clarifying scope, success criteria, and next steps.
• Develop clear documentation, operating artifacts, and narratives that help teams stay aligned.
• Support leaders in evangelizing Payroll as a business unit by grounding discussions in data, financial impact, and customer outcomes.
• Reinforce a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement as the Payroll organization matures.
• Help teams balance short‑term delivery with longer‑term capability building.

Your Success Profile

In this role, success looks like: Payroll executes with increasing clarity and momentum, cross‑functional teams are aligned around shared priorities, and the business builds scalable systems that support growth, retention, and strong financial performance.

Core Capabilities

• Business Insight – applying knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organization’s goals.
• Strategic Mindset – anticipates future trends and implications accurately; articulates credible pictures and visions of possibilities that will create sustainable value.
• Plans and Aligns – breaks down objectives into appropriate initiatives and actions; stages activities with relevant milestones and schedules.
• Initiative and Motivation – identifying what needs to be done and doing it before being asked or before the situation requires it.
• Teamwork and Communication – putting our collective best together through documentation, collaboration, relationship‑building, listening, empathy, recruiting, and evangelism.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience, ideally in program/project management, strategy operations, and/or consulting.
• Minimum 1+ years with Justworks highly preferred.
• Experience in SaaS, fintech, B2B services, or other regulated or operationally complex environments preferred.
• High business and financial acumen; comfort working with KPIs, unit economics, and performance metrics.
• Strong analytical skills and familiarity with data tools (e.g., Excel, SQL).
• Record of exceptional performance and demonstrated excellence in leadership of cross‑functional projects.
• Demonstrated ability to succeed and thrive in an entrepreneurial environment and not be hindered by ambiguity or competing priorities.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.
• Passionate about solving complex problems.
• Will rely on business acumen, strategic mindset, systems thinking, and underlying data to help steer conversations and decision‑making.
• Strong sense of ownership, ability to proactively remove obstacles, and willingness to go above and beyond to chase down loose ends that lead to outstanding results.
• Focus on results and outcome, not just process.
• Have experience establishing processes that are appropriate and effective.
• Creative problem solver, effective negotiator, and results‑oriented team player.
• Unquestionable professional ethics, strong judgment, trustworthiness, and commitment to excellence.

Compensation

The base wage range for this position based in our New York City Office is targeted at $155,500.00 – $171,050.00 per year. Actual compensation is based on multiple factors that are unique to each candidate, including and not limited to skill set, level of relevant experience, and specific work location. Salary ranges for positions based in other locations may differ based on the cost of labor in that location.

Equal Opportunity & Diversity

Justworks is committed to maintaining a workplace where diversity of identity, culture, and life experience is the norm and is celebrated authentically and respected consistently. We’re a proud equal‑opportunity employer open to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital or familial status, disability, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. Justworks is fully dedicated to providing necessary support to candidates with disabilities who may require reasonable accommodations. We also provide reasonable accommodations to employees based on their sincerely held religious beliefs, as well as for other covered reasons consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Legal Notice

If you’re in need of a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to us at [e-mail]. Your comfort and success matter to us, and we’re here to ensure an inclusive experience.