Workday Time Tracking & Absence Module Lead

As the Workday Time Tracking & Absence Module Lead at Houlihan Lokey, you are responsible for the ownership, configuration, and ongoing optimization of the Workday Time Tracking and Absence modules in support of a global workforce. You will lead the delivery of enhancements, regulatory changes, and integrations related to time and absence while ensuring alignment with payroll, HCM, and downstream systems.

You will work closely with Human Capital Group (HCG), Payroll, Finance, regional stakeholders, vendors, and IT partners to ensure scalable, compliant, and user-friendly solutions. You are passionate about translating business and compliance requirements into effective Workday solutions that drive operational efficiency and positive employee experiences.

You are innately curious, detail-oriented, and enjoy solving complex business and system challenges in a global environment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the functional and technical lead for Workday Time Tracking and Absence, including configuration, testing, deployment, and support.

• Own the end-to-end lifecycle of Time Tracking and Absence initiatives, including requirements gathering, design, build, testing, cutover, and post-production support.

• Partner with HCG, Payroll, Finance, Compliance, and regional stakeholders to ensure accurate time capture, accruals, leave policies, and regulatory compliance across geographies.

• Lead the design and maintenance of time calculation rules, absence plans, eligibility criteria, accruals, calendars, and schedules.

• Oversee integrations between Workday Time Tracking/Absence and payroll providers, third-party systems, and downstream reporting platforms.

• Monitor, manage, and resolve production issues, including root cause analysis and implementation of preventive controls.

• Provide guidance on best practices for global time and absence configurations, including standardization and localization strategies.

• Support audits, year-end activities, and statutory reporting requirements as they relate to time and absence.

• Develop and maintain documentation, configuration workbooks, governance processes, and appropriate approval gates.

• Communicate project status, risks, and issues clearly to stakeholders and leadership.

• Coordinate with implementation partners and AMS providers to ensure quality delivery and adherence to agreed SLAs.

• Strong experience supporting or leading Workday Time Tracking and Absence in a production environment.

• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex business requirements and translate them into scalable Workday configurations.

• Experience partnering closely with Payroll and HCM teams, including understanding downstream payroll impacts.

• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and manage competing priorities.

• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with attention to detail.

• Ability to work independently while also contributing effectively in team environments.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels.

• Demonstrated initiative and strong ownership of deliverables and outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting global or multi-country time and absence configurations.

• Familiarity with Workday Payroll, integrations (EIBs, Studio), and reporting is a strong plus.

• Experience working with external vendors or AMS partners.

• Exposure to digital transformation initiatives or HR system modernization.

• Knowledge of varied project management delivery methodologies (Agile, Hybrid, Waterfall).

Soft Skills

• Ability to deliver empathetic, people-first service that makes stakeholders feel heard, respected, and supported.

• Strong communication skills with the ability to translate complex system concepts into clear business language.

• Solutions-focused mindset with a proactive approach to issue resolution and continuous improvement.

• High emotional intelligence with the ability to remain calm, thoughtful, and effective in high-impact or time-sensitive situations.

• Strong sense of ownership and accountability for system integrity and user experience.

• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work across IT, HR, Payroll, Finance, and external partners.

• Learning-oriented mindset driven by curiosity, growth, and staying current with Workday enhancements.

• High degree of professionalism, discretion, and dependability.

Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI) is a leading global investment bank recognized for delivering independent strategic and financial advice to corporations, financial sponsors, and governments. With uniquely deep industry expertise, broad international reach, and a partnership approach rooted in trust, the firm provides innovative, integrated solutions across mergers and acquisitions, capital solutions, financial restructuring, and financial and valuation advisory. Our unmatched transaction volumes provide differentiated, data-driven perspectives that help our clients achieve their most critical goals. To learn more about Houlihan Lokey, please visit HL.com., We believe that as we grow individually, we also grow as an Information Technology team, enabling Houlihan Lokey’s continued global success. We embrace challenges, value continuous improvement, and deliver technology solutions that allow the business to operate effectively anywhere in the world. We foster a collaborative, inclusive culture where everyone is encouraged to learn, contribute, and thrive.