Remote HR & Payroll Consultant - Contract USA — Columbus
Traveler-Friendly Insight
This role is a contract/fractional position with a remote-first philosophy ("Work from Where it Makes Sense"), which is genuinely nomad-friendly in spirit — but with an important caveat: you must be based in one of 12 eligible US states (FL, CO, IL, MA, NH, RI, ME, CT, GA, SC, NC, TX). This means non-US residents and those outside these states are not eligible.
For US-based nomads, this is a strong fit. The contract nature means you can potentially take on this engagement while traveling domestically. The role does involve client-facing work and implementation workshops, so some synchronous availability during standard US business hours (likely ET/CT) is expected — pure async freedom is limited here.
Financially, at $30–$50/hr, a full-time equivalent (2,080 hrs/year) translates to roughly $62,400–$104,000 annually. However, this is a contract role with no benefits noted, so factor in self-employment taxes (~15%) and healthcare costs. That said:
- Miami, FL (one eligible state): comfortable on $50/hr, but pricey for housing
- Atlanta, GA or Raleigh, NC: lower cost of living makes $35–$50/hr quite livable
- Colorado: outdoor lifestyle but higher costs; $50/hr is more comfortable here
No travel-specific perks (coworking stipend, equipment budget) are mentioned in the posting. Given the project-based nature, gaps between engagements could provide natural travel windows for US-based nomads.
Position Details
- Location: Remote (FL, CO, IL, MA, NH, RI, ME, CT, GA, SC, NC, TX)
- Type: Contract / Fractional, Client-Facing
- Work Model: Remote-first (Work from Where it Makes Sense – WfWiMS)
- Compensation: $30–$50/hr
Who We Are
livingHR is the remote-first, professional services "work agency" created to make work better. We partner with organizations to deliver human-centric, future-of-work-ready HR-managed services, professional services, and products. We believe in taking exceptional care of our people so they can deliver exceptional outcomes for clients, partners, and communities.
What You'll Do
Own and operate human resources and payroll across industries and company sizes. In addition to providing HR and payroll support, this role will lead HRIS and Payroll implementations for our clients. This is a hands-on role for someone who has run payroll and HR technology in-house, not just implemented it for others. You'll be one of the internal experts on our clients' HR tech stack using systems such as HiBob, Dayforce, Rippling, UKG, Paylocity, Workday, and/or ADP, keeping platforms configured, integrated, compliant, and optimized.
Day-to-Day Responsibilities
Payroll Operations
- Own end-to-end payroll processing, accuracy, and compliance across all applicable states
- Manage payroll calendar, tax filings, garnishments, and off-cycle runs
- Serve as the point of escalation for payroll discrepancies and audits
- Administer and maintain the core HRIS platform (e.g., HiBob, Dayforce, Rippling), including workflows, permissions, and data integrity
- Manage system integrations across HRIS, performance, payroll, benefits, and other downstream tools
HRIS/Payroll System Implementations
- Lead configurations for clients implementing new payroll and HCM systems, including change management, new module rollouts, and system upgrades
- Build and maintain automated workflows to reduce manual HR admin
- Partner with People team leaders to translate process needs into system design
Data & Compliance
- Own HR data integrity, reporting, and audit readiness across systems
- Ensure payroll and HRIS practices meet federal, state, and local compliance requirements
- Deliver dashboards and reporting that support workforce planning and OKRs
People Operations & Core HR
- Optimize HR processes, policies, and systems for efficiency and compliance
- Implement core HR practices: onboarding, employee relations, policy development
- Advise on federal, state, and local employment law compliance
What We Are Looking For
Core Competencies
- Generalist across livingHR's focus areas (tech, payroll, innovation, people analytics, operations, people and culture), with strong data storytelling skills
- Client and project management — owns relationships, deadlines, and delivery end to end
- Facilitation — leads implementation workshops and stakeholder sessions with confidence
- Innovation mindset — finds ways to scale work and improve processes
Experience & Qualifications
- 5+ years running payroll and HRIS/HCM systems
- HR Generalist or HRBP background with broad exposure across the employee lifecycle
- Experience working directly with clients in consulting, professional services, PEOs, or agencies
- Hands-on administrator experience with a core HRIS and Payroll platform (e.g., HiBob, Dayforce, and/or Rippling) required
- Deep knowledge of multi-state payroll compliance, tax, and wage/hour requirements
- Strong systems thinking with the ability to troubleshoot integrations independently
- Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and advisory skills
- Comfort operating in a lean, fast-scaling environment with high ownership expectations
What You Can Expect
livingHR engages contract consultants on a project-by-project basis. Engagement timing, scope, and duration vary based on client needs. Consultants may be considered for multiple full-time or part-time opportunities over time as part of our long-term talent community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which US states are eligible for this remote position?
Is this a permanent job or a temporary contract?
What is the pay rate for this role?
What HRIS platforms should I know to qualify for this role?
Does this role require working fixed hours or is it flexible?
