Payroll Specialist

Job Title: Global Payroll Contractor – Workday Payroll & Time Implementation

Job Location: Milpitas, CA

Job Contract: 9 months

On-Site role

Job Description:

• We are seeking an experienced Global Payroll Contractor to support the implementation of Workday Payroll and Workday Time.
• This role is project‑focused and will support payroll‑related requirements, validations, testing cycles, and change management.
• In addition to the Workday Payroll implementation, this role will support other payroll projects and ad hoc payroll activities (such as vendor ticket management, etc.)
• The contractor will work as part of the Payroll Projects Team supporting Payroll Operations, HRIT, and Finance to ensure all payroll and time‑related changes are accurately implemented, tested, and validated.
• This position requires strong, hands‑on knowledge of payroll, with specific expertise in Workday Payroll and Workday Time required.

Key Responsibilities:

Workday Payroll & Time Project Support:

• Support payroll‑ and time‑related activities within the Workday Payroll and Workday Time implementation, including requirements gathering, data validation, data mapping, testing execution, and timeline management.
• Maintain clear and detailed documentation, including business requirements, configuration decisions, integration specifications, test cases, test results, issues, and resolutions.
• Support change management activities including communications, online messages, training documentation, and other documentation as required.
• Facilitate stakeholder meetings, executive reporting, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Translate business needs into functional requirements and actionable plans.
• Support process improvement efforts related to payroll operations.
• Partner with HRIT and third-party providers to support implementation of regulatory, process, and system changes.
• Collaborate with Benefits, Human Resources, Accounting, Stock Plan Administration, and other internal teams to ensure project alignment and success.
• Ensure high-value customer service and effective communication with all partner functions.
• Lead and participate in testing activities related to payroll systems, integrations, and process changes.

Cross‑Functional Coordination:

• Partner closely with Payroll Operations, HR, HRIT, Accounting, and IT teams to resolve issues, manage dependencies, and maintain alignment.
• Provide regular status updates, highlight risks and impacts, and communicate changes to relevant stakeholders.
• Support the execution of payroll-impacting projects, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.
• Apply project management and change management methodologies to drive successful delivery of payroll initiatives.
• Ad hoc payroll activities (vendor ticket management, etc.)

Additional Payroll Support:

• Support other payroll‑related tasks and initiatives as assigned, including compliance activities, process improvements, operational audits, and payroll stabilization efforts during and after the Workday implementation.
• Provide subject‑matter expertise on payroll and time processes to support business needs beyond the core project.
• Prepare and verify documentation and reports related to payroll projects.
• Conduct research and prepare presentations or reports to support management decisions.

Skills:

Qualifications:

• Deep knowledge of US payroll operations, including strong understanding of payroll principles, controls, and compliance.
• 7+ Years of hands‑on experience with Workday Payroll and Workday Time, including implementations, enhancements, or complex upgrades.
• Strong working knowledge of global payroll processes for the US.
• Experience supporting payroll system implementations or major payroll‑related projects, including integrations and data validation.
• Proven experience participating in or executing end‑to‑end testing for payroll and time system changes.
• Strong project coordination, communication, change management, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet tight deadlines.
• Excellent documentation skills with strong attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience supporting Workday Payroll and/or Workday Time implementations.
• Experience supporting payroll transformation or optimization initiatives, including process mapping, controls enhancement, and change management.
• Experience with Ceridian Dayforce (nice to have)

Education:

• A Bachelor's Degree is just a nice-to-have.