Senior Workday HRIS Analyst

Azenta is seeking an experienced Senior Workday HRIS Analyst reporting to the Manager, HRIS & Analytics, to serve as the primary subject matter expert for Workday Payroll, supporting global payroll operations. This role will be responsible for the design, configuration, enhancement, testing, and ongoing optimization of Workday Payroll, while providing complementary support for Time Tracking and Absence.

The ideal candidate combines deep Workday Payroll expertise with a strong understanding of payroll compliance, workforce administration, integrations, reporting, and process automation. This individual will partner closely with Payroll, HR, Finance, and IT teams to ensure accurate payroll processing, regulatory compliance, data integrity, and a best-in-class employee and manager experience.

This role is onsite in Manchester, UK 4+ days/week

Key Responsibilities

Workday Payroll Administration & Configuration

• Serve as the primary technical expert for Workday Payroll.

• Configure and maintain payroll business processes, earnings, deductions, taxes, payroll inputs, pay groups, pay components, and payroll security.

• Support payroll processing activities by troubleshooting transactional, calculation, and configuration issues.

• Partner with Payroll teams to ensure payroll processes align with statutory and organizational requirements in the United States and United Kingdom.

• Maintain knowledge of Workday payroll compliance updates, regulatory changes, and delivered functionality enhancements.

Time Tracking & Absence Management

• Configure and support Workday Time Tracking and Absence functionality, including eligibility rules, validations, time calculations, absence accruals, and leave plans.

• Support global absence plan administration, including country-specific plan year rules, eligibility requirements, and accrual methodologies.

• Develop and maintain scalable solutions for leave of absence, statutory leave, and severance programs.

• Identify opportunities to automate leave administration and payroll-related workflows.

Payroll Process Improvement & Automation

• Evaluate and recommend new Workday functionality that supports operational excellence and process simplification.

• Design and implement solutions that improve payroll efficiency, compliance, data quality, and user experience.

• Automate integrations and data inputs from third-party systems including benefits, equity administration, sales compensation, and other payroll-impacting sources.

Reporting, Analytics & Audits

• Ensure system configurations support audit readiness and appropriate security controls.

• Develop complex Workday reports, dashboards, and calculated fields that support Payroll, HR, Finance, and Compliance functions.

• Support internal and external audits by providing payroll, pension, tax, unemployment, and compliance-related data.

• Prepare and deliver large data extracts and regulatory reporting requirements while ensuring data accuracy and confidentiality.

Integrations, Testing & Data Management

• Support the configuration, monitoring, maintenance, and troubleshooting of payroll, benefits, and general ledger integrations.

• Coordinate testing activities for Workday releases, payroll updates, integrations, business process changes, and regulatory enhancements.

• Support data conversion, mass uploads, EIBs, and movement of large employee data sets while maintaining strong data governance standards.

Employee & Manager Experience

• Support and enhance employee and manager self-service functionality.

• Partner with HR Business Partners and managers to improve adoption of Workday Payroll, Time Tracking, and Absence functionality.

• Support solutions related to time clocks, Workday punches, manager time review processes, overtime monitoring, and workforce dashboards.

• Deliver user training, documentation, and ongoing support for employees, managers, payroll professionals, and HR teams.

Compliance, Security & Data Privacy

• Ensure payroll processes adhere to internal controls, audit requirements, and applicable payroll regulations.

• Maintain strong understanding of data privacy requirements, including PII protection and GDPR compliance.

• Support regulatory reporting and audits, including tax, pension, payroll, and workforce-related inquiries.

• Ensure system configurations support audit readiness and appropriate security controls.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Information Systems, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

• 5+ years of HRIS experience, with at least 3 years supporting Workday Payroll.

• Deep functional expertise in Workday Payroll, including business processes, domain security, payroll configuration, and troubleshooting.

• Experience supporting payroll operations in both the United States and United Kingdom.

• Experience configuring and supporting Workday Time Tracking and Absence.

• Knowledge of payroll compliance, taxation, statutory requirements, accruals, leave management, and payroll controls.

• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Workday Payroll Certification.

• Experience with Workday Integrations, EIBs, and Core Connectors.

• Experience supporting global payroll operations.

• Experience supporting pension, tax, regulatory, and workforce audits.

• Knowledge of SOX controls and payroll governance.

• Experience leading Workday implementations, payroll migrations, or major transformation initiatives.