About this role
Payroll Implementation Specialist
- Job Type Contract
- Qualification BA/BSc/HND
- Experience 5 - 8 years
- Location Lagos
- Job Field Human Resources / HR
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
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Support the implementation of payroll operations and Day 1 payroll readiness across assigned markets.
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Gather payroll requirements and work with vendors to ensure compliance with local tax, statutory, and social security regulations.
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Review payroll processes and recommend improvements to ensure operational efficiency and compliance.
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Create, maintain, and update payroll standard operating procedures (SOPs) and process documentation.
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Support payroll data migration activities, including data mapping, validation, and testing.
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Execute payroll testing, parallel runs, reconciliations, and go-live readiness activities to ensure accurate payroll processing.
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Review and validate payroll inputs, including benefits, deductions, and time and attendance data.
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Support payroll system integrations between HR, payroll, finance, banking, and other business systems.
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Ensure payroll accounting entries, cost allocations, and finance interfaces are accurate and properly maintained.
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Track project risks, issues, and dependencies and ensure timely resolution and escalation where required.
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Maintain project documentation, implementation plans, status reports, and governance records.
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Collaborate with HR, Finance, IT, Tax, Treasury, vendors, and other stakeholders to deliver project milestones.
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Support payroll processing activities, audits, reconciliations, and performance monitoring where required.
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
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5-8 years of proven experience in payroll implementation, transition or transformation, preferably within a multi-country environment.
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Strong hands-on knowledge of payroll systems and integrations – Workday and SAP, General Ledger / Finance interfaces and payroll accounting.
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Demonstrated payroll processing expertise (gross-to-net, statutory deductions, benefits, Time & Attendance) and understanding of local labor, tax and social-security requirements.
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Experience managing third-party payroll vendors, service designs, Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and vendor governance.
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Solid grasp of test management, parallel runs, data migration and cutover methodology.
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Ability to manage and track multiple concurrent requests under tight, fixed payroll deadlines with accuracy and composure.
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Strong governance, controls and compliance discipline (SOX, COBP, GFCF); confident with risk/issue management and escalation.
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Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills across technical, HR, Finance and senior leadership audiences.
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Excellent project management capability (PMO, RAID, status reporting).
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Comfortable working in a fastmoving and evolving environment.
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Payroll certification (e.g. FPC / CPP) is an added advantage.
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