People Program Manager, Payroll

At WelbeHealth, we serve our communities’ most vulnerable seniors through shared intention, pioneering spirit, and the courage to love. These core values and our participant-focus lead the way no matter what.

The People Program Manager leads strategic and operational initiatives that support workforce growth, organizational effectiveness, team member experience, and People service delivery. Partnering with People leadership, cross-functional stakeholders, and external vendors, this role drives program execution, process improvement, and alignment across People functions. The position also serves as a key Workday Payroll and Absence Management resource, supporting system optimization, configuration, compliance, troubleshooting, and payroll process enhancements. Reporting to a People Director or senior leader, the People Program Manager advances departmental strategy, monitors program performance and metrics, fosters collaboration across WelbeHealth, and may supervise team members, consultants, or project resources supporting program delivery.

This role is different because the People Program Manager, Payroll at WelbeHealth:

• Serves as a key subject matter expert in Workday Payroll, Absence Management, and Time Tracking, driving system optimization, multi-state payroll compliance, and process enhancements to support accurate and efficient payroll operations.
• Leads strategic payroll initiatives and continuous improvement efforts, partnering across People, Finance, Accounting, and operational teams to strengthen payroll controls, develop team capabilities, and deliver scalable solutions that enhance the team member experience.

We care about our team members. That’s why we offer: (You do not need to edit)

• Medical insurance coverage (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• Work/life balance - We mean it! 17 days of personal time off (PTO), 12 holidays observed annually, and 6 sick days
• 401K savings + match
• Comprehensive compensation package including base pay and bonus
• And additional benefits!

On the day-to-day, you will:

• Payroll Operations & Compliance

• • Maintain Workday Payroll and Absence configurations to support compliance and business requirements.
  • Monitor federal, state, and local payroll regulations and assist with compliance activities.
  • Conduct payroll audits and reconciliations to ensure data integrity and accurate processing.
  • Maintain payroll tax configurations for a multi-state workforce
  • Serve as a resource for payroll compliance, SOX controls, and regulatory requirements.
  • Maintain strict confidentiality of payroll and team member information.

• Workday Payroll Administration

• • Configure, test, and support Workday Payroll and Absence functionality.
  • Identify and implement system enhancements, updates, and process improvements.
  • Lead bi-annual Workday Payroll and Absence release testing and documentation.
  • Troubleshoot complex system issues and coordinate resolutions with vendors and internal stakeholders.
  • Develop and maintain payroll process documentation and training materials.

• Payroll Operations & Analysis

• • Investigate and resolve complex payroll processing, tax, and system-related issues.
  • Assist with payroll tax reconciliations and quarterly and annual filing activities.
  • Support year-end payroll processing, adjustments, and statement preparation.
  • Mentor, train, and develop Payroll Specialists to build Workday Payroll, Absence, Time Tracking (PATT), and compliance expertise.
  • Serve as a backup for payroll processing and other payroll operations as needed.

• Vendor & Stakeholder Engagement

• • Partner with payroll vendors to support system configuration, issue resolution, and process improvements.
  • Collaborate with HR, Accounting, Finance, and operational leaders on payroll initiatives and inquiries.
  • Communicate payroll impacts, updates, and recommendations to stakeholders.
  • Support cross-functional projects involving payroll, absence management, and compliance requirements.
  • Manage direct reports including hiring, training, supervising, and mentoring

• Program and Continuous Improvement

• • Lead payroll-related projects and initiatives from planning through implementation.
  • Monitor performance metrics and recommend improvements to payroll processes and controls.
  • Identify risks and develop solutions that improve compliance, accuracy, and service delivery.
  • Support organizational change efforts related to payroll programs, systems, and processes.

Job requirements include:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Organizational Development, People Operations, or a related field required. Professional experience may be substituted in lieu of the degree;
• Healthcare experience preferred; SHRM‑CP or SHRM‑SCP, PHR, SPHR or PMP experience is preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive Payroll experience working within HR/People departments, including advising leaders and supporting multi-site or complex operating environments.
• Minimum of three (3) years of progressive experience leading people programs, projects, or operational initiatives
• In-depth knowledge of payroll regulations, and compliance with multi-state and local payroll processing; Experience in Workday components such as Payroll, Absence Management, Time Tracking and OneSource Virtual (OSV Atmosphere).
• Skilled at managing small projects independently, and identifying opportunities for improvement, driving the continuous enhancement of the payroll and absence processes.
• Proven ability to work effectively and build relationships with various teams, departments, and stakeholders; Demonstrated ability to handle change and manage multiple tasks effectively by prioritizing requests and meeting tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail; Strong working knowledge of MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) mid-level Excel skills.

We’re seeking a strategic, detail-oriented payroll leader who is passionate about leveraging technology, strengthening compliance, and creating efficient, scalable People operations. If you’re ready to make an impact while supporting a growing, mission-driven organization, we’d love to hear from you!