Payroll Consultant

Payroll Consultant (Part-Time, Remote)

Join the MGT Team

MGT is seeking an experienced Payroll Consultant to provide coaching, mentoring, and advisory services to California K-12 school district payroll professionals. This part-time consulting role is ideal for a seasoned payroll leader who enjoys sharing knowledge, strengthening payroll operations, and helping school districts build internal expertise.

This position is primarily remote, with occasional travel to client’s office for meetings or project support as needed.

Position Summary

The Payroll Consultant serves as a subject matter expert and trusted advisor to California school districts. Rather than performing day-to-day payroll processing, this role focuses on mentoring payroll staff, providing operational guidance, resolving complex payroll issues, and recommending best practices to improve accuracy, compliance, and efficiency.

The successful candidate will have extensive experience with Escape Payroll software, a thorough understanding of CalPERS regulations, and a strong background leading payroll operations within California public school districts.

Key Responsibilities

• Coach and mentor district payroll professionals on payroll operations, compliance, and best practices.
• Serve as a trusted advisor for complex payroll, tax, and retirement reporting questions.
• Provide guidance on the effective use of Escape Payroll software and related payroll processes.
• Assist districts in interpreting and applying CalPERS reporting requirements and retirement regulations.
• Review payroll processes and internal controls, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce risk.
• Support payroll teams during periods of transition, staffing changes, or increased workload.
• Develop and deliver payroll training, reference materials, and process documentation.
• Consult with district leadership on payroll operations, compliance, and process improvement initiatives.
• Participate in special projects, payroll system implementations, and operational assessments as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible payroll leadership experience within a California K-12 school district or County Office of Education.
• Advanced knowledge and hands-on experience with Escape Payroll software.
• Strong working knowledge of CalPERS payroll reporting requirements and retirement regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor, and develop payroll staff.
• Excellent understanding of California payroll laws, Education Code requirements, and public-sector payroll practices.
• Outstanding communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to build trusted relationships with clients while working independently in a remote consulting environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supervising or leading a school district payroll department.
• Knowledge of CalSTRS reporting and retirement requirements.
• Experience supporting payroll process improvements, software implementations, or organizational change initiatives.
• Experience delivering training to payroll professionals.

Work Environment

• Part-time position
• Primarily remote
• Flexible schedule based on client needs
• Occasional travel to client office may be required

Why MGT?

MGT partners with public-sector organizations to solve complex operational challenges through expert consulting and practical guidance. As a Payroll Consultant, you'll help school districts strengthen their payroll operations, develop staff capabilities, and navigate evolving payroll and retirement requirements while making a lasting impact on the organizations and communities we serve.

Position will remain open until it is filled. Candidates with questions are invited to contact Angela Bianco, Talent Solutions Specialist at abianco@mgt.us.