Associate Director HR Operational Excellence

Job description

Who We Are At Kyndryl, we run and reimagine the mission-critical technology systems that drive advantage for the world’s leading businesses. We are at the heart of progress; with proven expertise and a continuous flow of AI-powered insight, enabling smarter decisions, faster innovation, and a lasting competitive edge. For our people—Kyndryls—that means doing purposeful work that powers human progress. Join us and experience a flexible, supportive environment where your well-being is prioritized and your potential can thrive. The Role Responsible for driving strategic initiatives that enhance efficiency, compliance, and scalability across global payroll and HR service delivery. This role will lead transformation programs, implement best practices, and ensure operational excellence through process optimization, automation, and stakeholder engagement. Global Transformation & Strategy-Execute to a global transformation roadmap for payroll and HR services aligned with organizational goals. Lead large-scale change management initiatives to modernize processes and systems. Partner with technology teams to implement automation, AI, and digital solutions for payroll. Operational Excellence-Establish and monitor KPIs, SLAs, and quality standards for payroll and HR service delivery. Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Six Sigma or similar methodologies. Ensure compliance with global regulatory requirements and internal governance standards. Stakeholder Management-Collaborate with HR, Finance, IT, and regional teams to ensure seamless integration of processes. Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on payroll and HR operational strategies. Risk & Compliance-Oversee risk management frameworks for payroll and HR services. Your Future at Kyndryl The career path ahead is full of exciting opportunities to grow and advance within the job family. With dedication and hard work, you can climb the ladder to higher bands, achieving coveted positions such as Principal Engineer or Vice President of Software. These roles not only offer the chance to inspire and innovate, but also bring with them a sense of pride and accomplishment for having reached the pinnacle of your career in the software industry. Who You Are You’re good at what you do and possess the required experience to prove it. However, equally as important – you have a growth mindset; keen to drive your own personal and professional development. You are customer-focused – someone who prioritizes customer success in their work. And finally, you’re open and borderless – naturally inclusive in how you work with others. Required Skills and Experience: MBA with 15 years of experience Agile & Continuous Improvement Mindset: Six Sigma Black Belt Certification, Change Management Professional (CCMP), Project management (PMP) or RPA Certification A change agent: Adopting and implementing strategies to improve adherence to global processes including having knowledge of industry best practices. Adapt AI skills and technologies to drive automation and efficiency. Communication & Training: Excellent written and verbal communication to effectively interact with vendors and internal stakeholders. Hands On ability to design and write policies, procedures and job aid documentation. Educate teams on new payroll processes and technologies to ensure adoption. Payroll Compliance & Risk Management: Stay updated on global, regional, and local payroll laws to ensure compliance. Implement internal controls and audits to mitigate compliance risks. Implement forensic payroll audits to identify fraud risks. Data Security & Privacy: Ensure payroll data adheres to GDPR, SOC 1, ISO 27001, and other security roles/standards and organizational guidelines. Technology and Automation: Lead the adoption of cloud-based HR solutions. SLAs & KPIs and Data Analytics: Track accuracy, efficiency, cycle times, employee experience and compliance. Preferred Skills and Experience: Excellent Communication skills Being You The “Kyn” in Kyndryl means kinship, which represents the strong bonds we have with each other, our customers and our communities. We focus on ensuring all Kyndryls feel included and we welcome people of all cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. Even if you don’t meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. We believe in growth, and we’re excited to see what you can bring. At Kyndryl, employee feedback has told us that our number one driver of employee engagement is belonging. That sense of belonging — being a valued, respected, trusted member of the team — is fundamental to our culture and fueling great experiences for our customers. This dedication to welcoming everyone into our company means that Kyndryl gives you the ability to thrive and contribute to our culture of empathy and shared success. That’s The Kyndryl Way. What You Can Expect Your career with us isn’t just a job—it’s an adventure with purpose. We offer a dynamic, hybrid-friendly culture that supports your well-being and empowers you to grow. Our Be Well programs are thoughtfully designed to support your financial, mental, physical, and social health—because we know that when you feel your best, you do your best. From your very first day, you’ll dive into impactful work that powers the systems our customers rely on every day. You won’t just contribute—you’ll make a difference, tackling meaningful projects that sharpen your skills and fuel your growth. We’re here to champion your journey. With powerful tools to chart your career path, personalized development goals aligned with your ambitions, and continuous feedback to keep you inspired and on track, you’ll have everything you need to thrive and evolve. You’ll develop in-demand skills to grow your career and achieve your ambitions with access to cutting-edge learning opportunities—from certifications with Microsoft, Google, and Amazon to coaching and hands-on experiences. And through it all, you’ll be part of a culture that values empathy, restless learning, and a devotion to shared success. We want you to thrive here—and we’re committed to helping you do just that. Ready to make an impact? Join us and help shape what’s next. Get Referred! If you know someone that works at Kyndryl, when asked ‘How Did You Hear About Us’ during the application process, select ‘Employee Referral’ and enter your contact's Kyndryl email address.