Implementation SME Payroll

The Payroll Implementation SME is responsible for the successful planning, coordination, and delivery of payroll implementations, transformations, and migrations. The role works closely with HR, Finance, Payroll Operations, Technology teams, external vendors, and business stakeholders to ensure payroll solutions are implemented accurately, compliantly, and on schedule.

Key Responsibilities

Project Delivery

• Lead end-to-end payroll implementation for Switzerland and Austria.
• Maintain project plans, timelines, milestones, and governance structures.
• Manage dependencies, risks, issues, and escalations throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure successful transition from implementation to business-as-usual operations.

Requirements & Design

• Gather and document payroll business requirements.
• Facilitate process design workshops with stakeholders.
• Define future-state payroll processes and operating models.
• Ensure alignment with legal, regulatory, and company requirements.

Vendor & Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary point of contact between business teams and implementation partners.
• Manage vendor deliverables and track progress against agreed milestones.
• Build strong relationships with HR, Finance, IT, Compliance, and Payroll teams.

Data Migration & Testing

• Oversee payroll data cleansing, validation, and migration activities.
• Coordinate system integration testing, user acceptance testing (UAT), and parallel payroll runs.
• Ensure defects are identified, tracked, and resolved.

Change Management

• Support organisational readiness and change activities.
• Develop training materials and support documentation.
• Coordinate communications and stakeholder engagement throughout the programme.

Risk & Compliance

• Ensure payroll processes comply with local legislation, tax, and statutory requirements.
• Maintain project risk logs and mitigation plans.
• Support audit and control requirements during implementation.

Required Skills & Experience

• Proven experience of payroll implementations, payroll transitions, or payroll transformation programmes.
• Strong understanding of payroll processing, controls, and compliance requirements.
• Experience working with global payroll providers and payroll technologies.
• Demonstrated project management experience within complex, cross-functional environments.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience with data migration, testing, and cutover planning.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and tight deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in Business, HR, Finance, Information Systems, or a related field.
• Project Management certification (PMP, PRINCE2, Agile, or equivalent).
• Payroll qualification (CIPP or equivalent desirable).
• Experience with platforms such as Workday and SDW.

Key Competencies

• Project Leadership
• Business Analysis
• Stakeholder Management
• Risk & Issue Management
• Vendor Management
• Change Management
• Process Improvement
• Communication & Influencing
• Attention to Detail
• Problem Solving

if you are interested and believe you are a good fit, do not hesitate to contact me directly: alba.jansa@experis.ch