Lead Analyst, HRIS (Workday - AI)

The HRIS Lead Analyst is a highly experienced, hands-on Workday professional who partners with HR leaders and specialist HR teams to define the best solution and then implement it. The role advises leaders on the recommended approach, confirms requirements, and delivers solutions through configuration, testing, validation, and implementation, including recurring annual processes such as year-end performance reviews and calibration. A significant portion of the role is dedicated to building and implementing AI-enabled solutions and automation within Workday and across other HR technology platforms, while contributing to strategic planning and future technology direction discussions.

This is a senior individual contributor and functional lead position reporting directly to the Director of HRIS.

Key Responsibilities:

Solution Consulting, Design, and Delivery (50%)

Guide HR leaders and specialist HR teams (Centers of Excellence) to recommended solutions, confirm requirements, and configure, test, validate, document, and implement Workday changes across Core HCM, Talent, Talent Acquisition and Recruiting, business processes, reporting, and security. Deliver system enhancements from planning through implementation and own recurring annual processes such as year-end performance reviews and calibration. Serve as a senior point of contact for complex Tier 2 and Tier 3 issues. Ensure data accuracy and integrity through audits and validation activities, support data governance, security, privacy, compliance, and audit requirements, and maintain accurate documentation of configuration, design decisions, processes, testing, and support procedures.

AI Enablement and Execution (25%)

Build, configure, test, and deploy AI-enabled solutions, automation, and intelligent workflows. Identify opportunities to improve HR processes and employee experiences. Evaluate new AI capabilities, tools, and Workday features, and contribute to strategic planning and future technology direction discussions. Apply appropriate attention to data privacy, security, governance, data integrity, accuracy, and human oversight.

Technical Leadership, Mentorship, and Team Development (15%)

Provide formal and informal training, mentoring, peer review, and troubleshooting guidance to less experienced analysts. Act as a senior technical resource for the HRIS team, sharing knowledge, promoting consistent practices, and helping develop team capabilities while ensuring critical areas are supported by more than one team member.

Project and Release Leadership (10%)

Plan and deliver assigned projects, enhancements, releases, and project activities, defining project scope, timelines, risks, key requirements, and testing needs. Evaluate Workday releases and new functionality, coordinate stakeholders and testers, lead small project teams when needed, and communicate progress, risks, and decisions.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience; seven plus years of relevant HRIS, HR technology, or enterprise application experience.
• Significant hands-on Workday configuration and support experience across multiple functional areas, including Talent and Talent Acquisition or Recruiting.
• Proficiency in Workday reporting, calculated fields, condition rules, security concepts, testing, and release management.
• Experience independently resolving complex issues where no standard solution or documented process exists and managing assigned projects or project activities from start to finish.
• Understanding of HR processes and terminology; strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, advisory, and stakeholder management skills; ability to work independently in a fast-paced, global environment with high attention to detail and confidentiality.
• Ability to learn quickly and strong technical curiosity, with the ability to apply AI responsibly and securely.

Preferred:

• Hands-on experience with AI, AI agents, automation, or intelligent workflow solutions.
• Workday certifications.
• Experience supporting additional Workday areas such as Advanced Compensation, Benefits, or Integrations.
• Experience supporting global organizations.
• Experience with mergers and acquisitions.
• Experience with Power BI or HR analytics.
• Experience mentoring analysts or leading small project teams or project activities.