Manager Notes:
Look for candidates who have:
-Led or managed Workday implementations
-Managed Payroll system implementations or transformations
-Worked on Workday Payroll, HCM, Benefits, Time Tracking, Recruiting, or similar modules
-Participated in multiple HRIS deployments, upgrades, or system migrations
Candidates should have experience:
-Managing large, cross-functional projects
-Creating project plans, timelines, budgets, and resource plans
-Running governance meetings and executive reporting
-Managing project risks, issues, and dependencies
Role Overview
- Client is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead strategic Workday, HRIS, and Payroll transformation initiatives. This role will support enterprise-wide HR technology projects, including Workday implementations, payroll transformations, system enhancements, data migration, and process optimization efforts.
- The Project Manager will be responsible for driving project execution, governance, planning, stakeholder engagement, risk management, and reporting activities while partnering with HR, Payroll, Finance, IT, and external vendors. The ideal candidate combines strong project management expertise with hands-on experience supporting Workday and/or payroll implementations in complex, cross-functional environments.
Key Responsibilities
Project & Program Management
- Manage project scope, objectives, deliverables, timelines, budgets, and dependencies.
- Develop, maintain, and monitor comprehensive project plans, schedules, milestones, and resource allocations.
- Coordinate multiple concurrent HR, Payroll, and HRIS initiatives to ensure successful execution within approved timelines.
- Establish and report on project KPIs, milestones, risks, and overall project health.
- Facilitate governance activities, steering committee meetings, status reviews, and executive reporting.
Workday & Payroll Transformation
- Lead Workday, HRIS, and Payroll implementation, enhancement, and optimization projects.
- Partner with HR, Payroll, Benefits, Compensation, Talent Acquisition, and Finance teams to gather requirements and execute project deliverables.
- Oversee testing, data migration, integrations, payroll readiness activities, deployment planning, and post-go-live support.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders and implementation partners to ensure successful project outcomes.
Risk, Issue & Dependency Management
- Establish and maintain RAID (Risks, Assumptions, Issues, and Dependencies) processes.
- Proactively identify project risks and develop mitigation plans.
- Coordinate cross-functional dependencies and facilitate issue resolution and escalation management.
Stakeholder & Change Management
- Develop and execute stakeholder engagement and communication plans.
- Provide regular status updates, dashboards, and executive-level reporting.
- Support organizational change management, user adoption, training, and business readiness activities.
- Ensure transparency regarding project progress, resource capacity, budgets, and key milestones.
Resource & Vendor Management
- Coordinate internal resources, contractors, consultants, and third-party implementation partners.
- Partner with business leaders to support resource planning and capacity management.
- Manage vendor relationships and ensure accountability for deliverables and timelines.
Required Qualifications
- Proven experience managing Workday, HRIS, HCM, and/or Payroll implementation projects.
- Strong understanding of payroll operations, HR processes, benefits administration, and employee lifecycle management.
- Experience leading complex cross-functional projects in large, matrixed organizations.
- Demonstrated success managing project plans, stakeholder communications, risk management, testing, deployment, and change management activities.
- Strong executive communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience implementing or supporting Workday HCM, Payroll, Time Tracking, Benefits, Recruiting, Talent, or Absence Management modules.
- Experience with ADP, UKG, Oracle HCM, SAP SuccessFactors, Dayforce, or similar HRIS/payroll platforms.
- PMP, Scrum Master, Agile, or related project management certifications.
- Experience supporting global HR or payroll transformation initiatives.
Technical & Functional Expertise
- Workday HCM & Payroll
- HRIS & Payroll Implementations
- Project & Program Management
- Data Migration & Testing
- Change Management
- Risk & Dependency Management
- Stakeholder Management
- Budget & Resource Planning
- Executive Reporting & Governance
- Microsoft Project, Teams, SharePoint, and Office Suite
Success Profile
The successful candidate will be a highly organized and proactive project leader with strong Workday and/or Payroll implementation experience, capable of managing complex transformation initiatives, influencing stakeholders across HR and business functions, and delivering projects on time, within scope, and aligned with business objectives.
