Senior Program Manager, Payroll Systems

Jobtailor; Missouri; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in Missouri is seeking a Senior Payroll Program Lead to oversee end-to-end payroll system implementations across North America. You will partner with Payroll, HR, Finance, IT, and vendors to drive governance, data conversion, testing, deployment, and post-production stabilization.

The role requires 10+ years in payroll systems, including leadership of large transformations, with ADP experience and strong PM skills.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in payroll systems
• 5+ years in leading complex payroll system implementations
• Hands-on experience with ADP Workforce Now Payroll and ADP Workforce Manager Time & Attendance
• Comprehensive knowledge of payroll processing, payroll operations, payroll compliance, and enterprise payroll systems
• Experience managing payroll testing, parallel testing, payroll validation, UAT, and production deployment activities
• Experience navigating complex multi-legal entity payroll environments
• Proficiency in project/program management methodologies, implementation governance, project scheduling, risk management, and stakeholder management
• Experience leading payroll transformation initiatives preferred
• Experience implementing payroll vendor, HRIS, and benefits system integrations preferred
• Knowledge of payroll reporting, analytics, and workforce management solutions preferred
• Certifications such as PMP or PMI-ACP preferred
• Experience leading organizational change management initiatives preferred
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills
• Advanced program and project management skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Project or equivalent project management software
• Strong organizational, planning, and prioritization skills
• Demonstrated commitment to teamwork and promoting DENSO's values and culture

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise payroll system programs from planning through implementation, deployment, and post-production stabilization
• Build partnerships with Payroll, HR, Finance, IT, Benefits, and vendors
• Establish program governance, roadmaps, resource plans, communication plans, and timelines
• Lead system configuration, data conversion, testing, validation, deployment, and production readiness
• Evaluate readiness, mitigate risks, resolve complex issues, and direct project teams
• Lead governance meetings, communicate status, and align stakeholders
• Ensure implementations comply with regulatory requirements and governance standards
• Provide functional leadership and coordination for Payroll Systems resources
• Drive continuous improvement in payroll processes, automation, reporting, and operations
• Manage implementation budgets, vendor engagements, and professional services

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Project management

Payroll processing

Payroll operations

Data conversion

Testing and validation

Risk management

Payroll reporting

Analytics

UAT

Implementation governance

Budget management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, or a related field

Tools

Microsoft Project

ADP Workforce Manager Time & Attendance

ADP Workforce Now Payroll

HRIS Integrations

Workforce Management Solutions

Job description

• Lead enterprise payroll system programs from planning through implementation, deployment, and post-production stabilization across North America
• Build partnerships with Payroll, Human Resources, Finance, Information Technology, Benefits, business leaders, and third-party vendors
• Establish program governance, implementation strategies, roadmaps, resource requirements, communication plans, and timelines
• Lead system configuration, data conversion, testing, validation, deployment, and production readiness activities
• Evaluate readiness, mitigate risks, resolve complex issues, and direct project teams
• Lead executive and project governance meetings, communicate program status, facilitate decisions, and align stakeholders
• Ensure implementations comply with regulatory requirements, corporate policies, internal controls, and payroll governance standards
• Provide functional leadership and coordination for Payroll Systems resources
• Drive continuous improvement in payroll processes, system capabilities, automation, reporting, and operational effectiveness
• Manage implementation budgets, vendor engagements, and professional service resources
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, or a related field
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience, including 5+ years leading complex payroll system implementation or enterprise payroll transformation programs
• Hands-on experience with ADP Workforce Now Payroll and ADP Workforce Manager Time & Attendance or comparable enterprise payroll platforms
• Comprehensive knowledge of payroll processing, payroll operations, payroll compliance, and enterprise payroll systems
• Experience managing payroll testing, parallel testing, payroll validation, user acceptance testing (UAT), and production deployment activities
• Experience navigating complex multi-legal entity payroll environments
• Proficiency in project/program management methodologies, implementation governance, project scheduling, risk management, and stakeholder management
• Experience leading regional or enterprise payroll transformation initiatives preferred
• Experience implementing payroll vendor, HRIS, and benefits system integrations preferred
• Knowledge of payroll reporting, analytics, and workforce management solutions preferred
• PMP, PMI-ACP, or equivalent project/program management certification preferred
• Experience leading organizational change management initiatives preferred
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills
• Advanced program and project management skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Project or equivalent project management software
• Strong organizational, planning, and prioritization skills
• Demonstrated commitment to teamwork and promoting DENSO's values and culture

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in leading enterprise payroll system implementations, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and corporate policies. Proficient in project management methodologies, stakeholder engagement, and driving continuous improvement in payroll processes and systems.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Enterprise Payroll System Implementation
• ADP Workforce Now Payroll
• Project Management Methodologies
• Payroll Compliance
• Stakeholder Management

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Payroll Processing
• Payroll Operations
• Data Conversion
• Testing and Validation
• Risk Management
• Payroll Reporting
• Analytics
• User Acceptance Testing (UAT)
• Implementation Governance
• Budget Management

Soft Skills

• Leadership
• Communication
• Analytical Problem-Solving
• Organizational Skills
• Teamwork

Certifications & Qualifications

• PMP
• PMI-ACP

Industry Keywords

• Payroll Governance Standards
• Multi-Legal Entity Payroll
• Enterprise Payroll Transformation
• Organizational Change Management

Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Project
• ADP Workforce Manager Time & Attendance
• HRIS Integrations
• Workforce Management Solutions