Payroll Manager

We are looking for an experienced Payroll Manager to join our team on a Contract basis in Andover, Massachusetts. In this role, you will evaluate existing payroll operations, help shape a long-term strategy for improved performance, and support the selection of payroll and HR technology solutions. This opportunity is ideal for a payroll leader who can translate operational needs into practical recommendations that strengthen accuracy, compliance, and scalability.

Responsibilities:

• Review current payroll procedures, systems, approval paths, and connected processes to build a clear picture of the existing operating model.

• Analyze workflows to uncover inefficiencies, control weaknesses, and manual tasks, then recommend more effective ways of working.

• Collaborate with Payroll, Human Resources, Finance, and IT stakeholders to gather operational priorities and define functional and technical requirements.

• Lead the evaluation of payroll and HR platform options by coordinating vendor discussions, comparing capabilities, and helping determine the best-fit solution.

• Design a future-state payroll framework that outlines roles, process flow, reporting expectations, and internal controls.

• Create an implementation roadmap that addresses data conversion, system integrations, testing activities, user readiness, training, and transition planning.

• Prepare and deliver clear findings, recommendations, and decision-support materials for leadership and key stakeholders.

• Provide subject matter expertise on large-scale payroll operations, including multi-state processing and best practices for process standardization.

• Proven experience serving in a Payroll Manager or Payroll Director capacity with ownership of end-to-end payroll operations.
• Strong background managing full-cycle payroll for large employee populations, including organizations with more than 500 employees.
• Hands-on expertise with multi-state payroll processing and related compliance considerations.
• Experience assessing, selecting, implementing, or optimizing payroll and HRIS platforms.
• Working knowledge of payroll and HR systems such as ADP Workforce Now, Workday, Workday HRIS, UKG Pro, or UKG Ready.
• Ability to document business processes, define requirements, and translate operational challenges into actionable solutions.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to present recommendations to leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a consulting or contract engagement environment.