Payroll Lead Analyst

Job Description: Transformation Lead Analyst (C13)

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented professional with expertise in business analysis, requirements management, and project coordination. The ideal candidate will be responsible for gathering and documenting business requirements, managing projects throughout the SDLC lifecycle, supporting payroll-related initiatives, collaborating with stakeholders, and ensuring successful implementation of solutions using Agile methodologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Gather, analyze, and document business requirements from stakeholders.
• Prepare comprehensive Business Requirement Documents (BRDs), Functional Requirement Documents (FRDs), process maps, user stories, business cases, and use cases.
• Act as a liaison between business users, technology teams, vendors, and project stakeholders.
• Manage projects from initiation through implementation and post-production support.
• Drive requirements through all phases of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
• Participate in Agile ceremonies, including sprint planning, daily stand-ups, backlog grooming, sprint reviews, and retrospectives.
• Coordinate User Acceptance Testing (UAT), defect management, and production deployment activities.
• Track project risks, dependencies, timelines, and deliverables.
• Prepare executive-level presentations, dashboards, and project status reports.
• Support payroll transformation, automation, and process improvement initiatives.
• Leverage Microsoft and AI tools to improve productivity, reporting, and analysis.
• Create compelling business narratives and presentations using storytelling techniques.

Required Skills & Experience

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong drafting and documentation skills.
• Proven experience in writing BRDs, FRDs, user stories, workflows, and process documentation.
• Strong presentation and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience managing projects until successful implementation and stabilization.
• Good understanding of SDLC methodologies and Agile delivery frameworks.
• Experience working with cross-functional business and technology teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including: (excel, PowerPoint, word, visio and SharePoint)
• Knowledge and practical use of AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, or similar platforms.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and storytelling capabilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in Payroll Operations, Payroll Systems, or Payroll Transformation Projects.
• Knowledge of payroll processes, controls, compliance, and reporting.
• Hands-on experience with Workday Payroll and/or PeopleSoft Payroll modules.
• Experience with project management and collaboration tools such as: (Jira, Confluence)
• Exposure to process automation and digital transformation initiatives.

Key Competencies

• Business Analysis & Requirements Management
• Project Management & Delivery
• SDLC & Agile Methodologies
• Payroll Domain Expertise
• Process Improvement & Automation
• Stakeholder Management
• Communication & Presentation Skills
• Executive Reporting & Storytelling
• Microsoft Tools & AI Adoption
• Risk & Issue Management

Ideal Candidate Profile

A professional who can effectively capture business requirements, create high-quality documentation, manage stakeholders, drive projects through the SDLC lifecycle, operate within Agile teams, and lead initiatives through successful implementation. Payroll experience, particularly with Workday or PeopleSoft Payroll modules, will be a significant advantage.

------------------------------------------------------

Job Family Group:

------------------------------------------------------

Job Family:

------------------------------------------------------

Time Type:

------------------------------------------------------

Primary Location:

------------------------------------------------------

Primary Location Full Time Salary Range:

In addition to salary, Citi’s offerings may also include, for eligible employees, discretionary and formulaic incentive and retention awards. Citi offers competitive employee benefits, including: medical, dental & vision coverage; 401(k); life, accident, and disability insurance; and wellness programs. Citi also offers paid time off packages, including planned time off (vacation), unplanned time off (sick leave), and paid holidays. For additional information regarding Citi employee benefits, please visit citibenefits.com. Available offerings may vary by jurisdiction, job level, and date of hire.

------------------------------------------------------

Most Relevant Skills

------------------------------------------------------

Other Relevant Skills

------------------------------------------------------

Anticipated Posting Close Date:

------------------------------------------------------

Automated Processing and AI

We use automated processing, including artificial intelligence, for our legitimate business interests (or our reasonable and appropriate business purposes) to identify and align the candidate's skills and abilities with a specific job opening. Additionally, if you so choose, or consent, we can match your skills and abilities to other suitable roles at Citi.

Importantly, all our hiring processes and decisions, including determining your suitability for a role, are conducted, checked, and decided by individuals. Our automated processing and AI do not involve relying on automatic or autonomous decision-making. Please refer to any Jurisdictional Considerations, with specific provisions for your country (where relevant) for further details.

Illinois residents – AI Notice and Right

------------------------------------------------------

Citi is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you are a person with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to use our search tools and/or apply for a career opportunity review Accessibility at Citi.

View Citi’s EEO Policy Statement and the Know Your Rights poster.