VP, Payroll & HRIS Strategy

About the role

The Vice President, Payroll & HRIS Strategy is responsible for leading and advancing payroll and HRIS strategy across the Covenant House federation, ensuring operational excellence, compliance, and effective system utilization in a multi-platform environment.

Serving as a trusted advisor and internal consultant to sites across the federation, you will partner with People & Culture and Finance leaders to strengthen payroll operations, optimize HRIS systems, and support implementation efforts. You will have the opportunity to shape how we leverage technology and data to support our people, build capability across sites, and drive consistency in how we measure, manage, and reward performance in service of our mission.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as a strategic advisor to site leaders on payroll operations, HRIS systems, and system-related decision-making across a multi-system environment
• Partner with sites to assess, select, implement, and optimize HRIS, payroll, applicant tracking, and performance management systems
• Provide consultative guidance across platforms such as ADP, Paycom, and PEO models (e.g., TriNet), ensuring effective and compliant use
• Establish and promote federation-wide standards for payroll accuracy, reporting, system utilization, and data integrity
• Support payroll governance across sites, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies
• Support sites in strengthening payroll processes, controls, and audit readiness, including regulatory reporting (e.g., ACA, Form 5500)
• Lead HRIS and payroll-related reporting strategy, enabling sites to leverage data for decision-making and performance insights
• Identify trends, risks, and opportunities across sites and translate findings into actionable recommendations
• Support implementation and integration of performance management and applicant tracking systems to align with organizational priorities
• Develop and deliver training, tools, and documentation to empower site HR and payroll teams to effectively navigate and maximize their systems
• Promote a customer service mindset, ensuring responsive, practical, and empowering support to sites
• Drive continuous improvement in payroll and HRIS processes, identifying opportunities for efficiency, automation, and alignment
• Lead and partner with the Payroll Manager, ensuring strong execution of payroll operations and high-quality support to sites
• Collaborate with People & Culture, Finance, and Executive leadership to align payroll and HRIS strategy with broader organizational goals
• Maintain knowledge of emerging technologies, regulatory changes, and best practices in payroll, HRIS, and human capital management

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Deep expertise across multiple HRIS and payroll platforms (e.g., Paycom, ADP, PEO models such as TriNet)
• Strong consultative and influencing skills with the ability to partner effectively across diverse sites and leadership levels
• Ability to operate strategically while maintaining strong attention to detail and operational excellence
• Demonstrated experience leading HRIS implementations, system optimization efforts, and technology-driven change initiatives
• Strong understanding of payroll regulations, compliance requirements, and audit processes across multiple jurisdictions
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate data into actionable insights
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to simplify complex concepts
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
• Customer service mindset with a focus on responsiveness, partnership, and empowering others
• Ability to build trust and credibility with stakeholders across a distributed, global organization
• Commitment to the mission, values, and work of Covenant House

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 12–15 years of progressive experience in payroll, HRIS, human capital management, or related fields, including leadership experience
• Demonstrated experience working across multiple HRIS/payroll systems and leading implementations or system transformations
• Experience overseeing payroll operations and compliance across complex or multi-site environments

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; Master’s degree strongly preferred
• Experience in nonprofit, human services, or mission-driven organizations
• Experience working in a federated, decentralized, or multi-entity organizational structure
• Familiarity with international payroll considerations and cross-border workforce environments
• Experience integrating performance management and applicant tracking systems into broader HRIS ecosystems
• Certification in HR, payroll, or project management (e.g., SHRM, CPP, PMP)