Senior Manager of HRIS - Workday

The Senior Manager of HRIS - Workday is a critical leader on Workiva’s People & Culture team, shaping the future of our people operations. You will be responsible for the strategy, design, implementation, and optimization of our Workday Human Capital Management (HCM) system. This role requires deep expertise in Workday functionality, a strong understanding of HR processes, and a proven track record of leading HRIS initiatives and managing a high-performing team.

The ideal candidate is a proactive problem-solver, an excellent communicator, and a strategic thinker capable of translating business requirements into effective Workday solutions that drive our high-growth SaaS organization forward.

What You’ll Do

Workday Strategy and Roadmap:

• Lead the development and execution of the Workday strategy and roadmap, defining objectives that align with organizational goals and HR priorities

• Identify opportunities for continuous process improvement and system optimization within Workday to enhance efficiency, data accuracy, and user experience

• Proactively assess new Workday releases and features for their their organizational impact and integrate best practices to optimize configuration

System Management and Configuration:

• Provide strategic oversight for the administration, configuration, and ongoing maintenance of all Workday modules, ensuring system integrity and operational excellence across the entire platform

• Lead the design and implementation of new Workday functionalities, modules, and integrations

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, and external vendors to ensure seamless integration and and optimal data governance

• Accountable for the successful delivery of HRIS projects from initiation to completion, overseeing key milestones for system upgrades and major enhancements 

Team Leadership and Development:

• Manage, lead, and develop a team of HRIS analysts, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment

• Provide guidance and expertise on complex Workday issues and solutions to the team and other stakeholders

• Conduct performance reviews, provide constructive feedback, and support career development for team members

Security and Compliance:

• Design, implement, and monitor Workday security configurations and controls to ensure compliance with internal and external audit requirements (e.g., SOX and SOC)

• Manage Workday security roles, permissions, and segregation of duties (SoD) to ensure appropriate access to sensitive data

• Lead efforts in preparing for and responding to internal and external audits, providing necessary documentation and evidence of controls

• Maintain comprehensive documentation of Workday configurations, security policies, and change management procedures

Stakeholder Management and Training:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for Workday-related inquiries and support for users

• Establish, develop, and deliver training programs and documentation to enhance user proficiency and adoption of Workday

• Orchestrate the communication strategy for all system changes and updates, ensuring relevant stakeholders are proactively informed and aligned on best practices

What You’ll Need

Minimum Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive experience in HRIS management or a similar role, with deep expertise in Workday HCM

• Undergraduate Degree or equivalent combination of knowledge and related career experience

Preferred Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience managing and developing a team of HRIS professionals

• Proven experience leading and managing Workday implementations, upgrades, and optimization projects

• Deep expertise in multiple Workday modules (e.g., Core HCM, Benefits, Compensation, Payroll, Absence, Performance, Talent, Recruiting, Reporting)

• Strong understanding of HR business processes across various functional areas

• Strong analytical and project management skills, with the ability to interpret data and manage multiple initiatives in a global, matrixed organization

• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into understandable terms for a non-technical audien