Payroll Implementation Specialist

Role Overview

• Lead end-to-end Payroll implementations for new and expansion customers, serving as the accountable delivery owner through go-live.
• Define and manage implementation plans, sequencing, milestones, and customer responsibilities to ensure successful activation.
• Facilitate customer discovery sessions to gather requirements, translate business needs into system configuration strategy, and align on execution timelines.
• Coordinate and manage onboarding activities with Payroll partner Salsa, ensuring alignment across all parties and resolving cross-functional dependencies.
• Oversee configuration strategy and validation processes within the platform to ensure accuracy, compliance, and operational readiness prior to go-live.
• Exercise independent judgment to identify delivery risks, adjust project plans, and implement corrective actions to maintain timeline and quality standards.
• Drive structured testing, readiness validation, and activation planning to ensure smooth transition to live Payroll operations.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for Payroll implementation challenges, proactively resolving issues that may impact customer activation or revenue realization.
• Analyze implementation performance trends and recommend strategic improvements to increase efficiency, reduce cycle time, and enhance customer outcomes.
• Partner cross-functionally with Implementation, Sales, Product, Customer Success, and Operations to align expectations, clarify scope, and protect delivery integrity.
• Contribute to refinement of Payroll implementation methodologies and recommend enhancements to leadership based on observed execution patterns.
• Deliver against defined KPIs related to turnaround time, activation success, delivery quality, and customer adoption.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent relevant experience.
• 5–8+ years of experience in implementation, project management, payroll services, or customer-facing delivery roles.
• Demonstrated experience independently leading complex customer implementations or onboarding engagements.
• Experience coordinating with third-party partners or vendors in a structured delivery environment.
• Experience in SaaS or technology-enabled service environments preferred.
• Strong project management capabilities, including planning, sequencing, milestone tracking, and risk mitigation.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in resolving delivery challenges and adjusting execution plans.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence customers and internal partners.
• Analytical problem-solving ability with a data-driven, operational mindset.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent implementations with accountability for outcomes.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills appropriate for customer-facing leadership.
• Experience with Payroll platforms, HR/payroll technology, or financial operations preferred.
• Ability to operate autonomously within defined governance structures while escalating appropriately.
• Willingness to explore and adopt AI tools responsibly to enhance productivity and innovation in your role.

Benefits

• Competitive health plans
• Paid time-off
• Company paid holidays
• 401K retirement program with a Company elected match
• Other company sponsored programs