Payroll & Timekeeping Systems Manager

Build the future, spark innovation and align your career with purpose.

McKinstry is innovating the waste and climate harm out of the built environment and creating lasting impact. Together, we're building a thriving planet.

Buildings are a leading contributor to the climate crisis, generating nearly 40% of total global energy-related carbon emissions. We're making a lasting impact on our industry and within our communities by addressing the climate, affordability and equity crises through:

• renewables and energy services
• engineering and design
• construction and facility services

To get where we're going, we need big thinkers, problem solvers and collaborative mindsets. Does that sound like you?

The Opportunity with McKinstry

McKinstry is looking for an experienced Payroll & Timekeeping Systems Manager to join our Business Technology division in Seattle. This is a working manager (player-coach) role - you will be the primary hands-on resource responsible for the day-to-day administration, configuration, and support of both our Payroll systems and Timekeeping/Time Entry systems, while also leading a growing product team.

These systems operate within a broader integrated technology ecosystem - connecting with our HCM platform and ERP systems spanning financial management and project costing. You will need to understand how data flows across these integrated systems, troubleshoot issues that cross platform boundaries, and serve as the internal expert across the full time-to-pay lifecycle and its downstream impact on financials and project costs. Experience working within this kind of integrated environment is essential.

The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience administering enterprise Payroll, Timekeeping/WFM, and integrated HCM or ERP systems (such as UKG Pro, UKG WFM/Dimensions, Workday, ADP, Ceridian Dayforce, Kronos/TCP, SAP, Oracle, or similar platforms), combined with strong product leadership and people management skills. UKG Pro and/or UKG WFM experience is strongly preferred but not required - what matters most is your depth across these system types and your ability to drive results across technical and business teams.

Key Responsibilities

Hands-On Systems Administration & Support

• Serve as the primary hands-on resource for Payroll and Timekeeping/Time Entry systems - owning configuration, troubleshooting, and day-to-day operational support across both platforms.

• Understand and manage the integration between time entry, payroll, HCM, and ERP systems - ensuring accurate data flow across platforms, identifying root causes of cross system issues, and driving resolution.

• Support downstream financial and project costing processes by ensuring payroll data is accurately mapped and transmitted to ERP financial and project cost modules.

• Manage and resolve system issues, escalations, and service requests in partnership with vendors, IT, Finance, and internal stakeholders.

• Maintain deep knowledge of Payroll, Timekeeping, HCM, and ERP integration technologies, industry trends, and the evolving needs of the business.

• Partner with IT, Finance, consultants, and vendors to deliver and integrate technology solutions.

Product & Technology Leadership

• Lead development, enhancement, and adoption of Payroll and Timekeeping solutions across the full product lifecycle.

• Define product features and enhancements in collaboration with stakeholders across HR, Finance, and Operations; produce Product Requirement Documents (PRDs), UAT plans, and training materials.

• Prioritize features, manage product roadmaps, and ensure successful product launches.

• Bridge the gap between technical teams and non-technical business stakeholders - including HR, Payroll, Finance, and Project Management - translating complex system and integration concepts into actionable plans.

• Lead project activities including product introductions, design reviews, and UAT.

Project & Delivery Management

• Coordinate work with Technology Partners, including user stories, functional specifications, and testing.

• Manage and follow up on client requests to ensure high-quality product support.

• Oversee resource allocation, budgeting, and prioritization across product lines.

• Standardize workflows and processes, such as reporting and launch activities.

• Serve as key liaison between the product organization and departmental leaders across HR, Finance, and Operations.

People Leadership

• Lead and grow a team of Product Managers, providing mentorship, coaching, and career development support.

• Hire, onboard, and develop talent to build a high-performing product team.

• Foster a collaborative, accountable team culture aligned with McKinstry's values.

What You Need to Succeed at McKinstry

Required:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.

• 8+ years of hands-on experience administering, configuring, implementing, and supporting enterprise Payroll systems AND Timekeeping/Time Entry systems (e.g., UKG Pro, UKG WFM/Dimensions, Workday, ADP, Ceridian Dayforce, Kronos, TCP, or similar platforms). Experience in both system types is required.

• Demonstrated ability to configure Payroll system components - including pay rules, pay codes, tax setup, and deductions - not just end-user support.

• Demonstrated ability to configure Timekeeping/Time Entry system components - including time policies, schedules, accrual rules, and approval workflows - not just end-usersupport.

• Experience working within an integrated systems environment where Payroll and Timekeeping connect with HCM and/or ERP platforms (financial management, project costing, or similar).

• Working knowledge of how time entry and payroll data flows downstream into financial and project cost systems, and the impact of data quality on those processes.

• Experience supporting payroll processing cycles and troubleshooting system issues - including cross-system integration issues - in a production environment.

• Ability to communicate effectively with developers, Finance, HR, and business stakeholders to align on and deliver system enhancements.

• Experience managing vendor relationships and implementation partners.

• Knowledge of SharePoint.

• Outstanding written/oral, organizational, and analytical skills with strong attention to detail.

Strongly Preferred:

• Hands-on experience with UKG Pro Payroll and/or UKG WFM (Dimensions/Workforce Central).

• Experience with ERP financial and project costing modules (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Workday Financials, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar) as they relate to payroll and labor cost data.

• Experience supporting union payroll environments and complex pay rules.

• People management experience - leading, mentoring, or coaching a team.

A Plus:

• Knowledge of software development methodologies (Agile, Scrum).

• Experience with ServiceNow and DevOps.

• Experience managing bug triage, issue resolution, change and risk management.

• Previous experience in the A/E/C (Architecture/Engineering/Construction) industry, where project-based labor costing and complex workforce structures are common.

• Curiosity and drive to identify technology solutions that improve efficiency and profitability.

PeopleFirst Benefits

When it comes to the basics, we have you covered:

• Competitive pay
• 401(k) with employer match and profit-sharing plan
• Paid time off and holidays
• Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision with low or zero deductible options and low out of pocket maximums

People come first at McKinstry, and we go beyond the basic benefits with:

• Family formation benefits, including adoption and IVF assistance
• Up to 16 weeks paid parental leave
• Transgender inclusive benefits
• Commuter benefits
• Pet insurance
• "Building Good" paid community service time
• Learning and advancement opportunities via McKinstry University
• McKinstry Moves onsite gyms or reimbursement for remote workers

See benefit plan documents for complete details.

If you're driven by our vision to build a thriving planet together, McKinstry is the place to build your career.

The pay range for this position is $123,570 - $190,700 per year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Base pay information is based on market location. A bonus may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered.

The McKinstry group of companies are equal opportunity employers. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, race, color, creed, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other basis protected by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to employment, advancement, assignment, and training. This commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity is made equally as a social responsibility and as an economic and business necessity.

McKinstry is a drug-free workplace. Employment iscontingent upon successfully passing a pre-employment drug and alcohol test, complying with the requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act and a Confidentiality Agreement, in addition to successful outcomes of background and reference checks.

Applicants for this role will only be considered if they possess current US Work Authorization, and do not require employer-sponsored VISA support to begin or remain in this role.

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