About the Company:
Charter Impact empowers mission-driven organizations to achieve their goals through personalized support in finance, operations, and business management. We accomplish this through enthusiastic collaboration within our team and with our clients to support their communities. We are a remote first company growing on a national scale and are continuously seeking qualified candidates to join us. Ideal candidates will be highly motivated professionals who are committed to supporting the team in an environment of growth and change.
Role Summary:
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 role is not location-specific but does require periodic travel for client implementations and trainings.
This position is remote to candidates based in AZ, CA, CO, FL, ID, IL, MN, NV, OR, SD, TX, UT and/or WA.
*This position requires up to 25% travel.
Essential Job Functions
- Lead, mentor, and manage a team of 1-2 Payroll Specialists, fostering a collaborative and productive work environment.
- Lead end-to-end payroll implementations for new clients from kickoff through successful go-live
- Serve as the primary implementation point of contact for clients during onboarding
- Travel to client sites to deliver training and support implementations
- Develop, manage, and communicate implementation timelines and milestones
- Coordinate with internal teams to ensure timely completion of all implementation activities
- Merge, validate, and verify payroll data in client systems, with a strong emphasis on UKG Ready, or support clients remaining on existing payroll platforms
- Learn, document, and configure client-specific payroll processes, including pay codes, earnings, deductions, schedules, and reporting requirements
- Ensure data accuracy, compliance readiness, and system integrity throughout the implementation process
- Partner closely with internal payroll and operations teams to ensure clean, well-documented handoffs following implementation
- Document implementation details and client configurations to support ongoing payroll processing and service delivery
- Deliver client training on payroll systems, processes, and best practices
- Provide onsite implementation support and training when required, including travel to client locations
- Act as a trusted advisor, guiding clients through change management and system adoption
Qualifications
- 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).
TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS: (with or without accommodation as needed to perform essential job functions)
- Read numbers, reports, and documents on computer terminals.
- Use telephone and other communication devices.
- Lift up to 20 pounds (light).
- Prolonged standing, some bending, stooping and stretching.
TYPICAL MENTAL DEMANDS:
- Ability to give, receive, and analyze information, formulate work plans, prepare written materials and articulate goals and action plans.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Work indoors in a standard office environment.
- Occasionally work outside of normal workdays and office hours to meet deadlines.
- Travel may be required for professional development events and to client locations.
- Is required to directly communicate with clients.
What's in it for You?
- 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.
Charter Impact strives to be an employer of choice for highly motivated and mission-driven professionals. We are committed to fostering a team environment where all members work together to achieve common goals, and where staff are supported, challenged and inspired in their work.
