Payroll Systems Analyst

Rivian•Normal, IL

About The Position

We are seeking a Payroll Systems Analyst to strengthen and scale the systems, reporting, and processes that enable accurate, compliant, and efficient payroll operations. This role sits at the intersection of Payroll, process design and operations, digital enablement, and enterprise payroll technologies, with a focus on turning business needs into practical system improvements. As an individual contributor supporting Payroll and Enterprise Systems, you will serve as the functional liaison across Workday Payroll, ADP SmartCompliance, ADP Workforce Now, Deel, and other payroll-related technologies. You will connect Payroll with HR, Finance, Tax, IT, HRIS/Systems, and external vendors, helping shape how platforms, data, integrations, and tools work together to support a scalable, data-driven operating model.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent work experience.
Three or more years supporting payroll systems, HR technology, enterprise applications, or related business systems.
Experience supporting Workday Payroll or Workday HCM.
Strong understanding of payroll operations, payroll data, controls, and compliance.
Experience creating reports and analytics in Workday or other HRIS and payroll applications.
Ability to translate business requirements into functional system needs.
Experience partnering with HRIS, Enterprise Systems, IT, or digital teams on enhancements and issue resolution.
Experience coordinating UAT, business validation, defect tracking, and readiness activities.
Strong analytical, organizational, troubleshooting, and stakeholder-management skills.
Clear communication skills and a commitment to data accuracy, confidentiality, and inclusive collaboration.

Nice To Haves

Experience with ADP SmartCompliance, ADP Workforce Now, Deel, or similar payroll and compliance applications.
Experience in a high-growth technology, EV, manufacturing, or similarly complex environment.
Experience with payroll integrations, global payroll reporting, reconciliation, or dashboard tools.
Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, process mapping, or workflow automation.

Responsibilities

Serve as a functional subject matter expert for Workday Payroll, ADP SmartCompliance, ADP Workforce Now, Deel, and related applications.
Gather and prioritize requirements, resolve issues, and recommend enhancements with Payroll and Enterprise Systems.
Maintain process documentation, standard operating procedures, user guides, and training materials.
Support implementations, upgrades, integrations, releases, and continuous-improvement initiatives.
Partner with Payroll, HR, Finance, Tax, IT, HRIS/Systems, and vendors through design, validation, and post-release support.
Assess system changes for business impact, data integrity, compliance, and operational readiness.
Develop recurring and ad hoc operational, tax, compliance, workforce, and executive reporting.
Analyze data across Workday, Deel, ADP, and other platforms to identify discrepancies, trends, and improvement opportunities.
Support tax reporting, agency notices, wage attachments, unemployment claims, year-end processing, audits, and international payroll reporting.
Coordinate Payroll participation in system releases and regulatory updates.
Create and execute UAT and business-validation plans; document results and track defects through resolution.
Identify opportunities to automate manual processes, strengthen controls, and improve system utilization.