Workday Principal Payroll Analyst

Futures start here. Where first steps, new friendships, and confident learners are born. At KinderCare Learning Companies, the first and only early childhood education provider recognized with theGallup Exceptional Workplace Award, we offer a variety of early education and child care options for families. Whether it’s KinderCare Learning Centers, Champions, or Crème de la Crème, we build confidence for kids, families, and the future we share. And we want you to join us in shaping it—in neighborhoods, at work, and in schools nationwide.

At KinderCare Learning Companies, you’ll use your skills and expertise to support the work (and fun) that happens in our sites and centers every day. From marketers and strategists to financial analysts and data engineers, and so much more, we’re all passionate about crafting a world where children, families, and organizations can thrive.  

 As the Workday Principal Payroll Analyst, you will report directly to the Senior Payroll Manager focusing on cloud-based data-reporting operations that integrate and optimize essential payroll functions. Take your Workday skills and career to the next level, mastering complex projects while expanding your leadership and advisory skills with a fast-growing team! 

Responsibilities:

• Support payroll operations, reporting, compliance, and legal requests in partnership with the Senior Payroll Manager 

• Develop and maintain Workday payroll dashboards, reports, and analytics 

• Ensure payroll data accuracy through audits, validation, and data governance 

• Provide technical support for Workday payroll; resolve payroll, timekeeping, tax, and system issues; recommend process improvements 

• Monitor payroll processes for cross-functional impacts and escalate recurring issues or training needs 

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations 

• Partner with payroll, HR, IT, and business stakeholders to define testing requirements, coordinate release readiness, and validate system changes 

• Serve as the liaison between functional and technical teams and maintain Workday documentation and training materials 

Workday Testing & Release Management: 

• Plan and execute testing for Workday configurations, enhancements, integrations, and biannual releases across HCM modules 

• Perform functional, regression, user acceptance, and integration testing, including validation of external data interfaces 

• Manage test environments and document and track defects, validate fixes, and report testing results 

• Ensure testing complies with data governance and audit requirements 

Qualifications:

• 2–5+ years of experience in payroll, HRIS, QA testing, or HCM systems 

• Strong understanding of payroll compliance and Workday payroll processing 

• Experience with testing tools (e.g., Jira, Azure DevOps, HP ALM) 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills 

Our benefits meet you where you are. We’re here to help our employees navigate the integration of work and life:
- Know your whole family is supported with discounted child care benefits.

- Breathe easy with medical, dental, and vision benefits for your family (and pets, too!).
- Feel supported in your mental health and personal growth with employee assistance programs.
- Feel great and thrive with access to health and wellness programs, paid time off and discounts for work necessities, such as cell phones.
- … and much more.

We operate research-backed, accredited, and customizable programs in more than 2,000 sites and centers across 40 states and the District of Columbia. As we expand, we’re matching the needs of more and more families, dynamic work environments, and diverse communities from coast to coast. Because we believe every family deserves access to high-quality child care, no matter who they are or where they live. Every day, you’ll help bring this mission to life by building community and delivering exceptional experiences. And if you’re anything like us, you’ll come for the work, and stay for the people. 

KinderCare Learning Companies is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law.