Project Manager (Payroll Release and Workday)

Job Title : Payroll Release Lead (PM Agile)

Location : 100% Remote

Overview:

As a Payroll Release Lead, you will play a crucial role in overseeing the release management process for payroll systems within the organization. You will be responsible for coordinating the release schedule, ensuring the timely and smooth deployment of payroll system updates, and managing any associated risks or issues. This role requires strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of payroll processes and systems.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain a release management process for payroll systems, including planning, scheduling, and coordinating releases.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including payroll operations, IT, and software development to ensure alignment on release schedules and requirements.
• Lead release planning meetings to define scope, objectives, and timelines for upcoming releases.
• Monitor release progress and communicate status updates to stakeholders, including any deviations from the original plan.
• Deployment Coordination:
• Coordinate the deployment of payroll system updates, ensuring minimal disruption to payroll operations.
• Develop deployment plans and schedules, taking into account system dependencies and critical business processes.
• Work closely with technical teams to execute deployment activities, including pre-release testing, deployment scheduling, and post-release validation.

Risk Management:

• Identify and mitigate risks associated with payroll system releases, such as data integrity issues, compliance concerns, or system downtime.
• Develop contingency plans to address potential issues and minimize the impact on payroll operations.
• Conduct post-release reviews to assess the effectiveness of risk mitigation strategies and identify areas for improvement.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Information Technology, or related field.
• Proven experience in release management, preferably in a payroll or HR technology environment.
• Strong understanding of payroll processes, systems, and regulations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage with stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Proficiency in project management tools and software, such as Jira, Microsoft Project, or similar platforms.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a focus on proactive risk management and continuous improvement.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certification in project management (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2) or Agile methodologies.
• Experience working with payroll software solutions such as ADP, Workday, Alight, SAP, or Dayforce.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements related to payroll processing, including tax laws and compliance standards.
• Familiarity with ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) framework and IT service management principles.