Job Description

Payroll Manager

LaSalle Network is partnering with a large, complex enterprise organization seeking a Payroll Manager to assess, optimize, and help redesign its payroll function as part of a broader future-state planning initiative. This is not a traditional payroll management role. Rather than leading a team, the consultant will serve as a subject matter expert focused on evaluating current payroll operations, identifying process gaps, and developing recommendations to improve efficiency, compliance, scalability, and overall payroll performance. The ideal candidate will combine deep payroll expertise with strong Workday knowledge and a proven track record of leading payroll transformation initiatives in large-scale environments. This individual must be comfortable rolling up their sleeves, operating independently, and partnering with both payroll and technical teams to implement meaningful change.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct a comprehensive assessment of current payroll operations, workflows, controls, and support structures.
• Identify process inefficiencies, compliance risks, and opportunities for operational improvement.
• Develop recommendations for a future-state payroll model that supports organizational growth and scalability.
• Evaluate current payroll processes and determine where redesign or realignment is needed.
• Partner with payroll, HR, technology, and Workday teams to bridge operational and system-related gaps.
• Provide guidance on how Workday payroll functionality should be configured to support business requirements and payroll best practices.
• Assess payroll support structures and recommend improvements to issue resolution, service delivery, and operational effectiveness.
• Create process documentation, recommendations, and implementation roadmaps.
• Support payroll leadership in defining long-term strategies, governance, and operational standards.
• Drive project milestones independently while managing stakeholder expectations and priorities.

Environment

• Approximately 30,000 employees across North America.
• Multiple payroll cycles and pay groups.
• U.S. and Canadian payroll operations.
• Complex hourly employee populations and multi-state payroll requirements.
• California payroll compliance considerations.
• Large-scale commission programs with numerous compensation plans and monthly commission payments.
• Significant payroll compliance, taxation, and regulatory requirements.
• A recent transition from PeopleSoft to Workday, creating opportunities for process refinement and optimization.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive payroll experience, including leadership of complex payroll operations and transformation initiatives.
• Deep expertise in Workday Payroll, including a strong understanding of how payroll processes and system configurations interact.
• Extensive experience supporting large-scale, high-volume payroll environments.
• Strong understanding of U.S. and Canadian payroll regulations, tax requirements, and compliance standards.
• Demonstrated success evaluating, redesigning, and improving payroll processes and operating models.
• Ability to identify root causes, recommend solutions, and execute strategic improvements.
• Experience managing payroll-related projects, process transformations, or system implementations.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams.
• Experience functioning as a strategic advisor while remaining hands-on with operational details.

Preferred Backgrounds

• Payroll transformation consulting
• Professional Employer Organization (PEO) environments
• Large manufacturing organizations
• Enterprise payroll operations
• Project management experience, including PMP certification, is a plus

Details

• Compensation: 40-50/hr
• Remote position- need to be Chicago-land area based
• Benefits: LaSalle Network consultants are eligible to enroll in benefits. For details, visit

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