Workday HRIS Manager

Our client is seeking a Senior Workday HRIS Manager to lead the strategy, ongoing management, and continued optimization of its global Workday environment. This individual will own the HR technology roadmap and serve as the primary Workday advisor to HR leadership, the executive team and other business stakeholders.

This role requires a strong combination of functional Workday knowledge, project-management capabilities, and executive-level communication skills. The successful candidate will be comfortable discussing HR technology strategy with C-suite leaders while remaining close enough to the platform to oversee day-to-day operations, perform light configuration and reporting, and guide the resolution of Workday-related issues.

The Senior HRIS Manager will manage an existing HRIS team member who has supported the Workday environment since its initial go-live and brings valuable institutional and system knowledge.

Workday environment

The current Workday environment includes:

• Core HCM
• Compensation
• Benefits
• Payroll
• Time Tracking
• Absence Management, HR technology strategy and roadmap
• Own and execute the global HR technology roadmap, ensuring Workday supports the organization’s current priorities and future growth.
• Serve as the primary Workday and HRIS advisor to HR leadership, senior executives and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Evaluate business needs and translate them into practical Workday solutions, projects and system enhancements.
• Establish priorities for optimization initiatives, production support, integrations, reporting and release activity.
• Identify opportunities to increase Workday adoption, improve processes and maximize the organization’s investment in the platform.
• Present HR technology recommendations, project updates, risks and decisions clearly to C-suite and senior business leaders.

Workday leadership and operations

• Oversee the daily administration and support of the Workday platform.
• Provide functional leadership across Core HCM, Compensation, Benefits, Payroll, Time Tracking and Absence.
• Perform or oversee light Workday configuration, business-process changes and system enhancements.
• Lead the evaluation, testing and deployment of Workday releases and new functionality.
• Manage production issues and coordinate resolution with internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Ensure appropriate Workday security, data integrity, controls and governance.
• Provide hands-on support when needed while maintaining primary responsibility for strategy, prioritization and leadership.

Reporting and analytics

• Develop and maintain Workday reports, dashboards and analytics.
• Partner with HR and business leaders to define reporting requirements and provide meaningful workforce insights.
• Improve the quality, consistency and accessibility of HR data.
• Establish appropriate data-governance practices, audits and controls.

Project and stakeholder management

• Lead HRIS projects from planning and requirements gathering through testing, deployment and adoption.
• Develop project plans, establish milestones, manage competing priorities and communicate progress to stakeholders.
• Coordinate activities across HR, Payroll, Benefits, Compensation, Finance, IT and other business functions.
• Manage external Workday partners and vendors, ensuring accountability, quality and value.
• Provide training, documentation, communications and change-management support for HR technology initiatives.

Acquisition integration

• Support the integration of a recently acquired organization of approximately 250 employees into Workday.
• Lead or coordinate employee data migration, requirements gathering, system configuration, testing and process alignment.
• Partner with HR and business leadership to provide an effective transition for acquired employees.
• Help establish a repeatable approach for incorporating future acquisitions into the company’s Workday environment.

Team leadership

• Manage, mentor and develop an existing HRIS team member with extensive knowledge of the current Workday environment.
• Establish clear responsibilities, priorities and accountability within the HRIS function.
• Balance the team member’s institutional knowledge with broader strategic direction and Workday best practices.
• Build a collaborative, service-oriented HRIS function capable of supporting a growing global organization.

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, HR Information Systems, Information Technology, Business or a related field.
• Six or more years of progressive HRIS experience, including significant experience supporting Workday.
• Strong functional understanding of multiple Workday HCM modules.
• Experience owning or helping develop an HR technology roadmap.
• Demonstrated ability to lead Workday optimization, enhancement or implementation-related initiatives.
• Strong project-management skills, including requirements gathering, planning, prioritization, testing and deployment.
• Experience with Workday reporting and light functional configuration.
• Ability to translate business requirements into scalable system and process solutions.
• Strong understanding of HR data integrity, security, and governance.
• Experience managing or mentoring HRIS professionals.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with C-suite executives and senior business leaders.
• Ability to balance strategic leadership with day-to-day operational responsibilities.
• High degree of discretion when working with sensitive employee and compensation information., * Experience participating in or leading a Workday implementation.
• Experience integrating an acquired business or employee population into Workday.
• Experience supporting Workday in a global or multi-country organization.
• Functional knowledge of Workday Compensation, Benefits, Payroll, Time Tracking and Absence.
• Experience supporting annual compensation processes, including salary reviews, bonus planning, equity analysis and compensation budgeting.
• Experience with Workday integration tools such as EIBs, Core Connectors, Workday Studio or APIs.
• Experience building Advanced, Matrix or Composite Reports.
• Workday certification or prior Workday partner-consulting experience is beneficial but not required.

At The Planet Group, we connect Enterprise Systems experts with opportunities that match their skills, goals, and ambition. From fast-moving startups to global enterprises, we partner with top organizations across industries giving you access to roles where your contributions make a difference. Explore flexible options including contract, direct hire, and contract-to-hire, all supported by a team that puts people first.