Workday Payroll Lead

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Workday Payroll Lead based in Canada.

As a Workday Payroll Lead, you will play a pivotal role in delivering and optimizing complex payroll solutions within Workday environments across a variety of client engagements. This senior-level position combines hands-on configuration expertise with strategic advisory responsibilities, allowing you to influence payroll transformation initiatives from design through go-live and ongoing optimization. You will collaborate with stakeholders, guide implementation teams, and ensure compliance with Canadian payroll regulations while delivering scalable, high-quality solutions. Beyond project delivery, you will help shape consulting best practices and mentor the next generation of Workday professionals. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced payroll expert who enjoys balancing technical execution, client leadership, and team development within a dynamic consulting environment.

• Lead the Workday Canada Payroll workstream across implementation, optimization, and support projects, ensuring successful delivery and client satisfaction.
• Design, configure, and maintain payroll solutions including earnings, deductions, taxes, garnishments, payroll accounting, and related payroll processes.
• Provide expert guidance on Canadian payroll legislation, compliance requirements, statutory deductions, tax remittances, Records of Employment (ROE), year-end processing, and provincial regulations.
• Facilitate discovery workshops and client sessions to gather requirements, validate business needs, and develop effective payroll solutions.
• Manage testing activities including unit testing, payroll reconciliation, parallel testing, user acceptance testing (UAT), and go-live readiness.
• Act as a trusted advisor to stakeholders by providing strategic recommendations to improve payroll efficiency, compliance, scalability, and operational effectiveness.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across Human Capital Management, Benefits, Integrations, Finance, Reporting, and other Workday modules.
• Monitor project progress, communicate risks and dependencies, and ensure successful issue resolution throughout project lifecycles.
• Mentor junior consultants through coaching, training, quality reviews, and professional development initiatives.
• Contribute to consulting practice growth by developing methodologies, training materials, delivery standards, and scalable best practices.

Requirements

• Active Workday Canada Payroll Certification.
• Proven experience leading Workday Canada Payroll implementations as a Lead Consultant, Payroll Lead, or Workstream Lead.
• Deep expertise in Canadian payroll regulations, including federal and provincial compliance requirements, statutory deductions, tax remittances, wage attachments, ROE processing, and year-end activities.
• Hands-on experience with payroll accounting, reconciliation processes, payroll close activities, and related financial controls.
• Strong understanding of pension plans, benefits deductions, and payroll compliance frameworks.
• Experience supporting unionized or collective bargaining environments is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage payroll workstreams and serve as the primary client-facing payroll consultant.
• Previous experience mentoring, coaching, or leading consultants and project team members.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong consulting mindset with the ability to build trusted relationships and navigate complex client environments.
• Familiarity with Workday Launch, Launch Express, or comparable implementation methodologies is preferred.
• Passion for knowledge sharing, continuous improvement, and developing future consulting talent.

Benefits

• Full-time, direct-hire opportunity within a growing Workday consulting practice.
• Opportunity to lead high-impact Workday Payroll implementations and transformation projects.
• Exposure to diverse client environments and complex payroll challenges across industries.
• Significant opportunities for leadership, mentoring, and career advancement.
• Collaborative and knowledge-driven team culture focused on professional development.
• Ability to influence delivery standards, methodologies, and consulting best practices.
• Flexible work environment supporting client-facing consulting engagements.
• Inclusive workplace committed to diversity, equity, and equal opportunity employment.