HR Consulting Senior Associate (Payroll)

Grant Thornton•Chicago, IL

11d

About The Position

Grant Thornton is seeking a Senior Associate to transform HR and Payroll operations for clients. The role calls for a background in workforce strategy, organizational design, and service delivery, as well as experience developing global HR and Payroll operating models, including GBS or shared services frameworks. The Senior Associate will be supported by the broader Transformation team while helping clients achieve their goals and developing their own career. The role includes leading HR and Payroll transformation projects, advising client leadership, assessing current operations, and developing future-state roadmaps. It also involves improving governance and processes, facilitating workshops, coordinating technology and process integration, ensuring project deliverables meet expectations, and building client relationships. The Senior Associate may also contribute to internal methodologies and thought leadership, meet or exceed utilization targets, and perform other duties as assigned. Travel is typically 40–50%, with occasional travel up to 80%.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, HR, or a related field.
At least 3 years of experience in HR/Payroll transformation, consulting, or related roles.
Proficiency in HR and Payroll systems such as UKG, Dayforce, Workday, or SAP/SuccessFactors.
Ability to align transformation initiatives with broader business strategy and workforce trends.
Experience selecting and implementing HCM platforms and designing HR operating models.
Familiarity with automation tools and data analytics for process improvement.
Understanding of global payroll compliance, data privacy regulations, and cross-border operations.
Comfort presenting to C-suite and senior executives and shaping strategic conversations.
Strong project management, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Knowledge of compliance standards and risk mitigation strategies.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to travel as needed, typically 40–50% and occasionally up to 80%.

Responsibilities

Manage end-to-end delivery of HR and Payroll transformation projects, including operating model assessments, system implementations, system selection, and process redesign, serving as a trusted advisor to client leadership.
Assess clients’ current-state operations, identify pain points, and develop future-state roadmaps to improve efficiency, scalability, and compliance.
Drive continuous improvement and governance across HR and Payroll processes by implementing best practices, optimizing workflows, and leveraging technology.
Design and lead workshops on workforce transformation strategy to support stakeholder alignment and change management.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams and external vendors to ensure seamless integration of technology and processes.
Own project milestones and ensure deliverables meet quality standards and client expectations.
Build and maintain client relationships by understanding business needs, delivering tailored solutions, and supporting long-term satisfaction and partnership.
Contribute to internal methodology development, whitepapers, and thought leadership.
Meet or exceed targeted utilization.
Perform other duties as assigned.