Payroll & Workforce Management Program Manager

Position Overview

We are seeking a Senior Project Manager / Time & Attendance SME to lead enterprise-wide Time & Attendance transformation initiatives within a highly complex, unionized environment. This strategic leadership role combines program management, functional expertise, and systems knowledge to ensure accurate time capture, compliant payroll calculations, and seamless integration across payroll and HCM platforms.

The ideal candidate will serve as both a Project Leader and Functional Subject Matter Expert, driving delivery execution, solution design, compliance alignment, and stakeholder engagement across large-scale initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Program & Project Leadership

• Lead large-scale Time & Attendance transformation programs from planning through execution
• Manage project governance, timelines, risks, dependencies, and executive-level reporting
• Partner closely with internal stakeholders, payroll teams, HR, IT, and system integrators
• Drive Agile project delivery, including sprint planning, prioritization, testing, and release coordination
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned to business objectives

Union Payroll & Timekeeping Expertise

• Interpret and operationalize Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) within Time & Attendance systems
• Configure, validate, and troubleshoot complex pay rules, including:
• Daily and weekly overtime
• 6th and 7th day premiums
• Meal and rest penalties
• Shift differentials and premium pay
• Guarantees and minimum call rules
• Turnaround and rest period requirements
• Ensure compliance with labor agreements, payroll regulations, and audit standards

Requirements Gathering & Functional Design

• Facilitate requirements workshops with business leaders, payroll teams, and SMEs
• Document detailed functional requirements, workflows, and process maps
• Identify process gaps, inefficiencies, and automation opportunities
• Translate business requirements into scalable system configurations and functional solutions

Systems & Integration Management

• Provide expertise across Time & Attendance, Payroll, and HCM platforms
• Support system integration design and data mapping activities
• Collaborate with technical teams to validate integrations and end-to-end functionality
• Ensure alignment between timekeeping, payroll, and HR systems

Data Validation, Testing & Reconciliation

• Analyze payroll and timekeeping data for accuracy, completeness, and compliance
• Develop and execute testing strategies, including UAT and parallel payroll validation
• Perform reconciliation between timekeeping and payroll outputs
• Ensure audit readiness, reporting accuracy, and data integrity throughout implementation

Change Management & Stakeholder Engagement

• Lead stakeholder communication, alignment, and executive updates
• Support training, adoption, and change management initiatives
• Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership on payroll and timekeeping best practices
• Build strong cross-functional relationships across HR, Payroll, Operations, and IT

Required Qualifications

• 10 years of experience in payroll, Time & Attendance, and enterprise system implementations
• Deep experience working in highly unionized environments
• Strong knowledge of payroll compliance, labor rules, and workforce management processes
• Hands-on experience with platforms such as UKG Pro, Workday, Infor, or similar HCM/payroll systems
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data reconciliation skills
• Proven success leading complex, enterprise-scale transformation initiatives

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within entertainment, media, healthcare, manufacturing, or other heavily unionized industries
• Agile/Scrum project delivery experience
• Experience managing third-party system integrators and vendor partners
• Payroll audit, compliance, and governance expertise

Core Competencies

• Strategic Leadership
• Time & Attendance Functional Expertise
• Payroll & Labor Compliance Knowledge
• Systems & Integration Management
• Data Analysis & Reconciliation
• Stakeholder Management & Communication
• Change Management & Execution Excellence