Manager, HR Technology (Workday)

Position Overview:

The HR Technology Manager (Workday) is responsible for the strategic management, optimization, and day-to-day operations of Workday Human Capital Management (HCM) and other key HR platforms, such as Absorb Learning and integrated vendor systems. This role leads the HR Technology team while also serving as a hands-on system administrator and configurator, ensuring all HR technologies effectively enable business priorities and deliver a seamless employee experience.

Partnering closely with HR Centers of Excellence, IT, business leaders, and external vendors, the HR Technology Manager ensures system reliability, data integrity, and scalability across the HR technology ecosystem. This leader plays a critical role in advancing digital HR capabilities, implementing process improvements, and driving innovation that supports a growing and dynamic organization.

Core Responsibilities:

System Ownership & Strategy

• Serve as the strategic owner for Workday and other HR platforms (e.g., Absorb Learning, recognition, engagement tools), ensuring alignment with evolving business objectives, HR strategies, and industry best practices.

• Partner with the HR leadership, to define and execute a comprehensive HR technology roadmap that enables scalable growth, efficiency, and transformation.

• Identify and implement automation, configuration, and user experience enhancements to drive operational excellence, data integrity, and adoption across HR platforms.

Process Improvement & Program Support

• Collaborate with HR functional leaders to identify process improvement opportunities and design system-based solutions supporting key HR programs (e.g., performance, compensation, benefits).

• Configure and support annual HR processes within Workday-such as performance reviews, merit and bonus cycles, and benefits open enrollment-ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and a seamless user experience.

• Lead governance and change management for Workday configuration updates, business process enhancements, and releases, ensuring documentation, testing, and effective communication across the organization.

• Champion continuous improvement initiatives, leveraging data analytics and stakeholder feedback to drive process excellence and transformative HR technology innovations.

Reporting & Analytics

• Lead the development and delivery of Workday reports, dashboards, and analytics, translating data into actionable insights for HR and business leaders.

• Support ad hoc data requests and business intelligence needs for HR and business leaders.

• Ensure data integrity, privacy, and compliance with internal policies and external regulations.

• Partner cross-functionally to advance workforce analytics, predictive modeling, and data-driven decision-making capabilities.

Systems Integration & Vendor Management

• Oversee the management and optimization of system integrations between Workday, Absorb, and other third-party vendors (e.g., benefits, payroll, timekeeping, learning).

• Partner with IT and vendors to manage releases, troubleshoot integration issues, and ensure secure, stable, and compliant data exchanges.

• Oversee proactive monitoring, troubleshooting, and risk mitigation of integrations, APIs, and file feeds, anticipating and resolving issues before impacting business operations.

Team & Operational Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of HRIS professionals, fostering collaboration, accountability, and customer service excellence.

• Set clear priorities and provide direction that aligns with organizational goals and the HR technology roadmap.

• Cultivate a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and alignment with Caribou's core values.

• Model professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to high performance.

Skills and Requirements:

• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust across HR, IT, and the business.

• Deep knowledge of Workday HCM configuration, security, and reporting.

• Proven ability to lead teams, manage multiple priorities, and drive cross-functional initiatives.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and process optimization skills.

• Ability to handle highly sensitive and confidential data with integrity.

Qualifications:

Required:

• 3+ years of experience overseeing the Workday platform as system administrator, including managing security, releases, integrations, and system performance.

• Minimum of 5+ years of hands-on experience configuring and maintaining Workday HCM modules (e.g., Core HCM, Payroll, Absence, Benefits, Compensation, Recruiting, and/or Performance), with strong knowledge of business process design, condition rules, calculated fields, and reporting.

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Information Systems, or related field.

• Experience leading workstreams or project teams with direct accountability for project deliverables, stakeholder management, and risk mitigation.

• Prior experience leading a team or managing HR system operations.

• Advanced Excel and data analysis skills.

Preferred:

• Workday HCM Certification(s) in one or more HCM modules.

• Experience managing integrations between Workday and third-party vendors.

• Familiarity with compensation planning, performance enablement, and benefit file management in Workday.

• Experience supporting HR transformation or system implementation projects.

Physical Requirements:

The physical requirements for this position include sitting, standing, bending, lifting, and moving intermittently during working hours. These physical requirements must be accomplished with or without reasonable accommodation.