Payroll Implementation Specialist

You are focused on and committed to helping people. You excel at breaking down complex processes into clear, actionable steps. You take ownership in driving results while maintaining a focus on quality and efficiency. The Payroll Implementation Specialist at Justworks plays a critical role in ensuring that new clients transition seamlessly onto our payroll platform, with complete and accurate payroll history and tax data.

In this role, you will collaborate cross-functionally with Customer Support, Tax, Engineering, and our customers to ensure timely, compliant, and accurate implementations. You will bring a balance of operational excellence, analytical problem-solving, and customer focus to deliver an exceptional onboarding experience.

• Fully review client information for completeness in advance of onboarding
• Set up Justworks Payroll clients in our payroll system, ensuring that all earnings, deductions, and taxes are configured accurately
• Load prior payroll history and reconcile data to previously filed tax returns to ensure accuracy
• Conduct parallel payroll processes and troubleshoot discrepancies prior to client go-live
• Provide clear, proactive communication with clients and internal partners throughout the implementation process
• Manage onboarding timelines and meet predetermined SLAs based on client size and complexity
• Identify and escalate potential issues early to minimize risks to implementation timelines
• Document and maintain standard operating procedures to ensure consistent execution and scalable workflows
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to automate, streamline, or enhance the implementation process
• Perform other duties as needed or assigned

As a Payroll Implementation Specialist, how results are achieved is as important as the results themselves. The following competencies represent the foundation for success in this role:

• Execution Excellence – Consistently delivers high-quality work under tight deadlines, drives clarity in complex situations, and raises the standard for accuracy and efficiency across processes.
• Ownership & Accountability – Operates as an owner, proactively anticipates risks, takes responsibility for outcomes, and aligns cross-functional partners to achieve implementation goals.
• Builds for Scale – Develops and refines workflows, documentation, and tools that enable repeatable, scalable success across clients and teams.
• Innovation Mindset – Identifies and implements process or system improvements, including opportunities for automation, to enhance the customer and team experience.
• Consultative – Builds relationships through trust, curiosity, and active listening to understand client needs and deliver tailored solutions.
• Solution-Oriented – Approaches challenges analytically and creatively to identify effective, sustainable resolutions.

In addition, all Justworkers focus on aligning their behaviors to our core values known as COGIS. It stands for:

• Camaraderie - Day to day you can be seen working together toward a higher purpose. You like to have fun. You’re an active listener, treat people respectfully, and have a strong desire to know and help others.
• Openness - Your default is to be open. You're willing to share information, understand other perspectives, and consider new possibilities. You’re curious, ask open questions, and are receptive to thoughts and feedback from others.
• Grit - You demonstrate grit by having the courage to commit and persevere. You’re committed, earnest, and dive in to get the job done well with a positive attitude.
• Integrity - Simply put, do what you say and say what you'll do. You’re honest and forthright, have a strong moral compass, and strive to match your words with your actions while leading by example.
• Simplicity - Be like Einstein: “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.”

• Minimum 2–3 years of payroll implementation experience with a payroll provider
• Strong research and analytical skills with the ability to adapt to varying client payroll structures
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail
• Demonstrated ownership, accountability, and initiative in managing multiple projects or clients
• Proven ability to identify and resolve complex payroll or tax issues with accuracy and efficiency
• Aptitude for learning new systems and explaining complex topics in a clear, customer-friendly manner
• Commitment to continuous improvement and innovation in processes, tools, or customer experience

The base wage range for this position based in our New York City Office is targeted at $36.30 to $39.93 per hour.

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