Payroll Implementation Manager - US

Role Summary

As the Payroll Implementation Manager – US, you will serve as the payroll subject matter expert (SME) for all American payroll implementations. Working alongside a dedicated Payroll Project Manager, who owns overall project governance, timelines and delivery, you will lead all country-specific payroll activities from discovery through go-live. You will ensure every implementation is compliant with American legislation, aligned to best practice, and delivered to the highest quality.
You will be recognised as the internal authority for American payroll, providing expert guidance to customers, Sales, Product, Engineering and Payroll Operations. This role requires a minimum of 10 years' experience managing American payroll, extensive hands-on experience with American payroll software, and fluency in American and English.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the recognised SME for American payroll implementations.
• Lead payroll discovery workshops and advise customers on legislation and best practice.
• Challenge inefficient legacy processes and recommend scalable, compliant solutions.
• Work with Product and Engineering to validate payroll configuration.
• Lead payroll testing, parallel runs and payroll validation.
• Support Payroll Project Managers with go-live readiness and first payroll.
• Advise Sales and Presales on American payroll requirements.
• Identify legislative risks and implementation dependencies.
• Contribute to product enhancements and implementation methodology.
• Own US implementation playbooks, documentation and knowledge sharing.

Skills & Experience

Essential:
• Minimum 10 years' experience processing and implementing American payroll.
• Extensive experience operating American payroll in-house.
• Expert knowledge of American payroll legislation, tax, social insurance and statutory reporting.
• Extensive experience with leading American payroll engines (such as ADP, UKG, Dayforce, Paylocity, Paycom.
• Strong stakeholder management and customer consulting skills.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills.
Country Requirements:
• Must be based in US.
• Must have the legal right to work in US.
• Must be fluent in English (written and spoken).
• Must have hands-on implementation and operational experience with American payroll software.

Success Measures

• Successful and compliant American payroll implementations.
• Accurate first payroll outcomes.
• High customer satisfaction.
• Strong collaboration with Payroll Project Managers.
• Continuous improvement of implementation standards and documentation.
• Identification of process and product improvements.