The Payroll Implementation Specialist leads end-to-end Payroll onboarding and activation for new logo customers and expansion projects. This role serves as the accountable delivery lead for Payroll implementations, managing project scope, sequencing, risk mitigation, and customer coordination through go-live. The Specialist exercises independent judgment to resolve implementation challenges, adjust execution plans, and ensure successful activation within established governance standards. Success in this role is measured by on-time delivery, high-quality implementations, revenue realization, and strong customer adoption outcomes.
This is a hybrid position, with an expectation to report to the Bloomington, MN office 3 days/week (typically Tues/Wed/Thurs). Essential Job Duties- Lead end-to-end Payroll implementations for new and expansion customers, serving as the accountable delivery owner through go-live.
- Define and manage implementation plans, sequencing, milestones, and customer responsibilities to ensure successful activation.
- Facilitate customer discovery sessions to gather requirements, translate business needs into system configuration strategy, and align on execution timelines.
- Coordinate and manage onboarding activities with Payroll partner Salsa, ensuring alignment across all parties and resolving cross-functional dependencies.
- Oversee configuration strategy and validation processes within the platform to ensure accuracy, compliance, and operational readiness prior to go-live.
- Exercise independent judgment to identify delivery risks, adjust project plans, and implement corrective actions to maintain timeline and quality standards.
- Drive structured testing, readiness validation, and activation planning to ensure smooth transition to live Payroll operations.
- Serve as the primary escalation point for Payroll implementation challenges, proactively resolving issues that may impact customer activation or revenue realization.
- Analyze implementation performance trends and recommend strategic improvements to increase efficiency, reduce cycle time, and enhance customer outcomes.
- Partner cross-functionally with Implementation, Sales, Product, Customer Success, and Operations to align expectations, clarify scope, and protect delivery integrity.
- Contribute to refinement of Payroll implementation methodologies and recommend enhancements to leadership based on observed execution patterns.
- Deliver against defined KPIs related to turnaround time, activation success, delivery quality, and customer adoption.
Other Job Duties- Other duties as assigned by supervisor or HHAeXchange leader.
Travel Requirements- Travel up to 10%, including overnight travel
Required Education, Experience, Certifications and Skills- Education:
- Bachelor's degree required or equivalent relevant experience.
- Experience:
- 5-8+ years of experience in implementation, project management, payroll services, or customer-facing delivery roles.
- Demonstrated experience independently leading complex customer implementations or onboarding engagements.
- Experience coordinating with third-party partners or vendors in a structured delivery environment.
- Experience in SaaS or technology-enabled service environments preferred.
- Skills:
- Strong project management capabilities, including planning, sequencing, milestone tracking, and risk mitigation.
- Ability to exercise independent judgment in resolving delivery challenges and adjusting execution plans.
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence customers and internal partners.
- Analytical problem-solving ability with a data-driven, operational mindset.
- Ability to manage multiple concurrent implementations with accountability for outcomes.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills appropriate for customer-facing leadership.
- Other Requirements:
- Experience with Payroll platforms, HR/payroll technology, or financial operations preferred.
- Ability to operate autonomously within defined governance structures while escalating appropriately.
- Willingness to explore and adopt AI tools responsibly to enhance productivity and innovation in your role.
The base salary range for this US-based, full-time, and exempt position is $75,000 - $95,000, not including variable compensation. An employee's exact starting salary will be based on various factors including but not limited to experience, education, training, merit, location, and the ability to exemplify the HHAeXchange core values.
This is a benefits-eligible position. HHAeXchange offers competitive health plans, paid time-off, company paid holidays, 401K retirement program with a Company elected match, including other company sponsored programs.
