People Consulting-Payroll-Manager

The opportunity

We are looking for Managers with strong experience in global payroll advisory, transformation and implementation to join the PC team. The role will lead complex, multi-country payroll engagements, advise clients on payroll strategy, operating models, technology and service delivery, and manage diverse teams across global locations. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a leading global professional services organisation while contributing to the growth of the PC payroll practice.

Your Key Responsibilities:

• Grow the GDS payroll consulting practice through strong collaboration, relationship building and integrated solutioning with EY global offices.
• Lead multi-country payroll advisory and transformation engagements from assessment, strategy and solution design through implementation, testing, deployment and stabilisation.
• Advise clients on payroll operating models, process harmonisation, governance, controls, compliance, vendor strategy, shared services and outsourcing options.
• Lead payroll technology-enabled transformation involving integrations across HCM, payroll, workforce management, finance and third-party systems.
• Provide subject matter direction across payroll inputs, gross-to-net processing, statutory deductions, remittances, garnishments, time and attendance, payroll accounting and reporting.
• Manage project scope, workplans, resources, budgets, risks, dependencies, quality and engagement economics, ensuring timely delivery and effective escalation management.
• Lead requirements workshops, current-state assessments, fit-gap analysis, future-state process design and the preparation of business requirements and solution design documentation.
• Oversee data migration, system integration testing, user acceptance testing, payroll parallel runs, reconciliation, cutover, go-live and hypercare.
• Establish effective client governance, executive reporting and stakeholder communication across global and country teams, vendors and functional workstreams.
• Support business development through solutioning, proposals, effort estimation, client presentations, credentials and development of payroll thought leadership and reusable assets.
• Build and coach high-performing teams, set objectives, provide timely feedback and support capability development and career progression.
• Implement internal processes to achieve practice objectives relating to quality, productivity, utilisation, headcount growth and market penetration.

Skills and attributes for success:

• Strong consulting and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex payroll challenges into practical recommendations and implementation plans.
• Sound understanding of end-to-end payroll processes, controls, statutory compliance, payroll accounting and global delivery models.
• Ability to lead complex engagements, manage ambiguity and balance strategic priorities with hands-on delivery.
• Strong client-facing, stakeholder management, facilitation, communication and presentation skills.
• Commercial awareness, including experience in project planning, effort estimation, budgeting, risk management and engagement economics.
• Ability to manage multiple engagements and geographically distributed teams simultaneously.
• Strong quality orientation, attention to detail and commitment to meeting delivery timelines.
• Cross-cultural awareness and the ability to work effectively with global and country stakeholders.
• High integrity, adaptability and willingness to travel nationally and internationally for approved client projects.

Ideally, you’ll also have

• Experience leading payroll strategy, maturity assessment, operating model, vendor assessment, implementation, transformation or managed-services engagements.
• Experience designing payroll delivery options, including consolidation, outsourcing, shared services and technology-enabled process improvement.
• Practical experience across requirements, process design, data migration, integrations, testing, parallel payroll, reconciliation, cutover and hyper care.
• Experience with payroll and HCM technologies such as Workday, SAP HCM, SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central Payroll, Dayforce, ADP GlobalView, ADP Celergo, Oracle or PeopleSoft.
• Understanding of Workday-to-payroll, SAP-to-payroll, time-to-payroll and payroll-to-finance integration concepts, including data mapping, interface controls and error management.
• Experience with workforce management and time-and-attendance platforms such as Dayforce, UKG/Kronos or Workforce Software.
• Experience working with global payroll vendors and third-party service providers, including vendor selection, governance, service-level management and performance improvement.
• Ability to assess payroll performance using service metrics, controls, benchmarks, analytics and leading practices.
• Experience supporting client pursuits through proposals, presentations, demonstrations, solution design and commercial estimates.
• Project management experience; FPC, CPP, PMP or other relevant payroll, technology or project-management certification will be an added advantage.
• Experience working in a Big Four or comparable consulting environment.

What we look for

• 12–16 years of experience in payroll transformation, payroll advisory, global payroll, or payroll-enabled HR transformation.
• At least 8–10 years of consulting experience, preferably leading complex global or multi-country payroll transformation engagements and advising senior stakeholders.
• Master’s degree in Finance or HR, or a full-time MBA.
• Demonstrated experience leading payroll transformation or implementation programmes as part of a globally distributed team.
• Strong functional understanding of one or more leading platforms, including Workday, SAP HCM, SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central Payroll, Dayforce and ADP.
• Experience managing large teams, multiple workstreams or concurrent engagements.
• Ability to provide informed advice and guidance to senior client stakeholders on payroll strategy, operating model, technology, governance, risk and implementation.
• Proven experience in people leadership, performance management, coaching and capability development.

What we offer you

At EY, we’ll develop you with future-focused skills and equip you with world-class experiences. We’ll empower you in a flexible environment, and fuel you and your extraordinary talents in a diverse and inclusive culture of globally connected teams. Learn more. 

Are you ready to shape your future with confidence? Apply today.  

To help create an equitable and inclusive experience during the recruitment process, please inform us as soon as possible about any disability-related adjustments or accommodations you may need.

Our Commitment: As a commitment, we persistently endeavour to embody our values, fulfil our purpose, and champion inclusiveness. Our dedication is to cultivate EY into an environment where diverse perspectives are celebrated, creating a supportive atmosphere for individuals to authentically be themselves and contribute their utmost.

Professional Development: From entry-level employees to senior leaders, we believe in continuous learning. We offer opportunities to build new skills, take on leadership roles, and connect and grow through mentorship.

People and Culture: In our dynamic wor