Charter Impact empowers mission-driven organizations to achieve their goals through personalized support in finance, operations, and business management.
The Payroll Implementation Specialist will serve as the primary point of contact for onboarding new payroll clients, leading them through a smooth and successful implementation from kickoff to go-live.
This role focuses on managing implementation timelines, configuring and validating payroll data, documenting client-specific payroll practices, and ensuring seamless handoffs to internal payroll teams.
The position requires strong payroll systems expertise, a consultative client-facing approach, and the ability to deliver virtual and onsite client training.
This position requires up to 25% travel to client sites to deliver training and support implementations.

Requirements

Generally, any combination of education that would provide the required knowledge and skills for successful performance would qualify. A typical method of demonstrating these requirements would be:
**__**EDUCATION**__**:** Bachelor's degree and/or related work experience is required. Relevant certifications (e.g., CPP) are a plus.
**__**EXPERIENCE**__**:**
- Minimum of 5 years of payroll experience, including at least 3 years in payroll system implementations, professional services, or client onboarding environments
- Demonstrated experience leading payroll implementations, upgrades, or system conversions, from planning through go-live
- Strong knowledge of payroll regulations, tax laws, and compliance requirements, with the ability to apply them during system configuration and data validation
- Hands-on proficiency with multiple payroll platforms (e.g., UKG, Paycom, Paycor, or similar), with the ability to quickly learn new systems
- Proven people leadership experience, including coaching, mentoring, or managing implementation or payroll professionals
- Excellent client-facing communication skills, with the ability to manage expectations, explain complex payroll concepts, and guide stakeholders through change
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple implementations and competing priorities
- High level of discretion and ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive payroll and employee data
- Adaptability in fast-paced environments, with a proactive and solution-oriented approach to challenges
- Ability to work independently, follow defined implementation methodologies, and drive deliverables to completion
- Familiarity with nonprofit or education-sector payroll environments is a plus
- Knowledge of STRS, PERS, payroll compliance, and HR principles beneficial but not required
**__**KNOWLEDGE OF**__**:**
- Purposes, methods, and practices of financial and accounting record keeping.
- Intermediate/Advanced knowledge of payroll and wage and hour laws.
- Intermediate/Advanced Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) skills.
- Proper and effective use of English grammar and communication skills (oral and written).

Benefits

As a remote-first organization, we embrace flexibility and collaboration across teams. To support your success, we provide a company-issued laptop along with essential accessories, including a mouse, keyboard, and monitor, to help you create a productive remote workspace.
Opportunities to connect: Engage in frequent virtual and in-person team-building events.
Incredible colleagues: Work alongside a passionate team making a real impact.
Competitive compensation & benefits: Enjoy medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, plus a 401(k) with company match—and much more!
Generous paid time off: Receive 11 paid company holidays and a winter break from Christmas Day through New Year's Day.
Employee Referral Bonus Program: Earn a bonus for successful referrals.

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools

payroll systems expertisepayroll implementationdata validationpayroll regulationstax lawscompliance requirementspayroll platformsfinancial record keepingwage and hour lawsMicrosoft Office

Soft Skills

client-facing communicationpeople leadershipattention to detailorganizational skillsadaptabilityproactive approachindependencecoachingmentoringmanaging expectations

Certifications

Bachelor's degreeCPP