WORKDAY PAYROLL IMPLEMENTATION SPECIALIST

This role requires candidates who are currently authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship, and C2C arrangements are not accepted.

We're seeking a seasoned Workday Payroll Implementation Specialist with at least 5 years of direct experience leading payroll implementations. The ideal candidate is a proactive, detail-oriented functional SME who can work independently and bridge between payroll operations and technical teams.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and execute payroll parallel testing, pay comparisons, UAT, and SIT.

Troubleshoot and resolve visibility and access issues in Workday reports.

Coordinate with HRIS, Benefits, and Compensation teams to ensure end-to-end test coverage.

Support post-payroll processing via ADP, including garnishments, tax files, and PQQ creation.

Help complete payroll checklists and maintain compliance throughout the implementation process.

Provide functional insight on configuration and suggest process improvements. Required Qualifications

5+ years of Workday Payroll implementation experience (not just BAU support).

Proven ownership of payroll testing cycles (UAT, parallel, pay compare).

Familiarity with ADP post-payroll workflows.

Strong understanding of Workday security roles and report visibility.

Ability to work independently, ask the right questions, and drive issues to resolution.

Experience collaborating cross-functionally across HR domains.

Willing to work PST-aligned remote schedule. Preferred Qualifications

Workday Payroll certification.

Experience with UKG or hybrid UKG/Workday environments.

Knowledge of ADP SmartCompliance.

Experience mentoring junior payroll testers or analysts.

Participation in multiple Workday Payroll go-lives. Not a Fit For

Candidates without direct Workday Payroll experience.

Those new to Workday implementations.

Individuals needing constant follow-up or direction.

Purely technical candidates without functional payroll understanding.

Those without experience working with external payroll vendors like ADP. Tools & Systems

Workday Payroll, Workday Security & Reporting

ADP (garnishments, tax files, direct deposit)

Excel/CSV for manual test data

Internal HRIS tools for integration support Work Style

Highly accountable, calm under pressure, and solutions-focused

Strong communicator with high EQ and a low-ego approach

Comfortable with ambiguity and able to escalate constructively when needed