Payroll Systems Program Manager

Job Description:

The Workday Payroll Systems Manager will report to the Associate Director of Payroll and will play a critical role in supporting and optimizing payroll technology landscape, with a primary focus on Workday System Implementation and Testing. This role requires a strong understanding of payroll operations, HRIS/Payroll systems, integrations, and downstream business impacts to help drive continuous improvement and operational excellence. This position serves as a strategic and operational liaison between Payroll, HRIS, Operations, and Information Technology Services, ensuring payroll systems are stable, compliant, scalable, and aligned with business needs. The ideal candidate will partner closely with cross-functional teams to troubleshoot and resolve system-related issues, support payroll processing activities, manage system improvements, and coordinate regular maintenance activities including testing, patching, upgrades, and release management.

What you will do

• Partner with HR, and Operations to implement new software releases, patches, and upgrades to financial systems including design meetings, direct testing, etc.

• Oversee end-to-end payroll system processes, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll for all employees, including multi-state payrolls.

• Lead the implementation and optimization of payroll technology, collaborating with IT, HR, Benefits, Compensation, and Payroll Operations to enhance automation, user experience, and regulatory compliance.

• Partner with HRIS, Payroll Operations, and end-users to resolve any system issues quickly and efficiently.

• Draft requirements documents and develop test scripts.

• Lead in the analysis and recommendations for system enhancements to improve the efficiency of the Finance, Payroll, HR, and project teams.

• Configure payroll software functionality in Workday.

• Act as the subject matter expert in system implementation projects, managing timelines and project tasks for new system deployments or enhancements.

• Oversee the migration of payroll data from legacy systems to new solutions, ensuring integrity and auditing for inaccuracies.

• Analyze existing payroll workflows to identify bottlenecks and implement automated, streamlined procedures.

What You’ll Need

• 4+ years of experience supporting payroll systems, HRIS platforms, or enterprise applications.

• Hands-on experience with Workday Payroll, UKG, and ADP Smart Compliance required.

• Solid background understanding of payroll processes, tax regulations, earnings, deductions, and compliance requirements.

• Established track record of experience supporting system upgrades, patches, testing, integrations, and production support activities.

• Ability to troubleshoot complex payroll and system issues and drive process improvements.

• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills

• Experience with Workday Payroll reporting, business processes, and integrations preferred.

• Advanced Excel skills.

Chewy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, citizenship, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, veteran status, as well as any other legally-protected characteristic. If you have a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act or similar law, and you need an accommodation during the application process or to perform these job requirements, or if you need a religious accommodation, please contact [email protected].

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