HR Platforms Reporting & Data Analyst
About the Opportunity
Job Summary
To meet the challenges of the university's continued growth and
expansion, the HR Platforms (HRIT) team is looking for a qualified
candidate who will contribute to the support and data analytics of
Workday HCM. This is a hybrid position; required to be ON CAMPUS
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri (Wed is remote).
The HR Platforms (HRIT) Reporting & Data Analyst serves as a
key data and reporting resource within HR Platforms, partnering
with HR functional areas, Payroll, Finance, and college/division HR
stakeholders to understand complex business requirements and
deliver accurate, meaningful workforce data and analytics.
This role requires a strong understanding of Workday HCM and
Payroll business processes, particularly within the complexities of
a decentralized higher education environment with diverse employee
populations, organizational structures, and business
practices.
The Reporting & Data Analyst translates business needs into
effective reporting and analytical solutions, developing and
maintaining Workday reports, SQL queries, and other data solutions.
The role analyzes complex datasets to identify trends,
discrepancies, anomalies, and data integrity issues; investigates
root causes; and provides insights that support operational and
strategic decision-making.
This position also partners closely with HR Platforms Business
Systems Analysts and other technical and functional teams to test,
validate, and resolve data and reporting issues.
Success in this role requires strong analytical and problem-solving
skills, expert proficiency in Excel, proficiency in SQL, attention
to detail, and a naturally curious mindset. The successful
candidate will be comfortable asking questions, challenging data
that does not appear correct, investigating complex issues, and
translating analytical findings into clear, actionable information
for both technical and non-technical audiences. The role requires
sound judgment, initiative, strong customer service skills, and the
ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines in a
high-volume environment while maintaining confidentiality and the
highest standards of data integrity.
Key responsibilities include:
• Partner with HR, Payroll, Finance, and college/division HR
stakeholders to understand complex business requirements and
translate data needs into accurate, sustainable reporting and
analytical solutions.
• Develop, maintain, and enhance reports and queries using Workday
HCM/Payroll, Prism, SQL, Excel, and other reporting and analytical
tools.
• Analyze and reconcile complex HR and Payroll datasets to identify
trends, anomalies, discrepancies, and data integrity issues and
investigate root causes.
• Collaborate with HR Platforms Business Systems Analysts and other
technical and functional partners on requirements, testing,
validation, system changes, and resolution of data and reporting
issues.
To support the University's essential services and business
operations, this position may occasionally be required to work
outside of regular business hours, including during critical system
activities, reporting deadlines, or other periods of operational
need.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Computer Science,
Business, Human Resources, Data Analytics, or a related field
required.
3-5 years of progressive experience in HR data analytics, HR
systems, reporting, or a related field, with demonstrated
experience analyzing complex HR and payroll data.
Strong understanding of Workday HCM and Payroll business
processes, including the ability to understand how transactions,
business processes, organizational structures, compensation, time,
absence, payroll, and employee lifecycle events impact downstream
data and reporting.
Experience with Workday reporting across HCM and Payroll,
including developing, maintaining, interpreting, and
troubleshooting reports and identifying opportunities to improve
reporting accuracy and effectiveness.
Higher education HR and Payroll experience is strongly
preferred, with an understanding of the unique organizational
structures, academic populations, employee types, appointments,
positions, grants/funding, faculty/staff populations, and other
complexities common to higher education.
Expert proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including advanced
formulas/functions, pivot tables, lookups, data cleansing,
conditional logic, data validation, reconciliation, and analysis of
large and complex datasets. Experience using Excel to identify
trends, anomalies, discrepancies, and data-quality issues is highly
desirable.
Proficiency in SQL, with the ability to query, join, filter,
aggregate, and analyze complex datasets across multiple tables and
data sources.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a naturally
curious mindset and the ability to recognize when data does not
make sense and independently investigate the underlying issue, ask
insightful questions, identify patterns and anomalies, determine
root causes, and translate findings into meaningful business
insights.
Demonstrated ability to work with large, complex, and sensitive
HR and Payroll datasets, ensuring data integrity, accuracy,
completeness, consistency, and confidentiality.
Experience with data reconciliation and validation, including
comparing data across Workday and downstream systems, identifying
discrepancies, researching root causes, and partnering with
functional and technical teams to resolve issues.
Ability to translate complex HR and Payroll business
requirements into meaningful reporting and data solutions,
including gathering requirements, understanding the underlying
business need, and recommending appropriate reporting or analytical
approaches.
Experience with data management, reporting governance,
documentation, testing, and systems changes, including developing
test plans and test cases and validating the impact of system
changes on data and reporting.
Workday Prism Analytics experience preferred, particularly
experience working with multiple data sources and complex
datasets.
Experience with Cognos or other enterprise reporting/analytics
tools preferred.
Ability to interpret and communicate data clearly, translating
complex analysis and technical findings into concise, actionable
information for HR leadership, functional partners, and
non-technical stakeholders.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy,
with the ability to recognize when data does not make sense and
independently investigate the underlying issue.
Strong customer-service and consulting mindset, with the
ability to understand customer needs, clarify ambiguous requests,
provide thoughtful recommendations, and deliver high-quality
reporting and analytical solutions.
Self-starter with strong initiative and sound judgment, capable
of working independently while knowing when to escalate issues or
engage appropriate technical and functional partners.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a high-volume
environment, organize work effectively, meet deadlines, and adapt
to changing business and project requirements.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication
skills, with demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with
technical and non-technical audiences at all levels of the
organization.
Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills, with the
ability to partner effectively across HR, Payroll, HR Technology,
IT, and other university functions.
Demonstrated ability to handle confidential and sensitive
employee, HR, and Payroll information with discretion and in
accordance with university policies and data-security
requirements.
Commitment to continuous improvement, with the ability to
identify opportunities to automate, simplify, improve data quality,
and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of HR reporting and
analytics.
Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities
Reporting and Analytics
- Develop, maintain, and enhance Workday HCM and Payroll reports
and SQL queries to meet complex HR, Payroll, operational,
compliance, and business requirements.
- Analyze complex HR and Payroll data from Workday and other data
sources to identify trends, anomalies, data-quality issues, and
opportunities for process improvement.
- Serve as a reporting and data analytics subject matter expert
for HR and Payroll, providing expertise to troubleshoot reporting
issues, investigate discrepancies, and determine root causes.
- Partner with HR and Payroll stakeholders to understand business
needs and translate requirements into effective reporting and
analytical solutions, recommending the most appropriate reporting
approach or data source.
- Provide advanced Excel-based analysis and data reconciliation,
including analyzing large datasets, identifying discrepancies,
validating results, and developing meaningful insights for HR
leadership and business partners.
- Develop and support ad-hoc and standardized reporting
capabilities that enable HR users and leadership to access timely,
accurate, and actionable workforce information.
- Evaluate existing Workday reports and the report library to
identify opportunities to leverage, enhance, consolidate, or retire
existing reports and reduce redundant reporting.
- Establish and maintain reporting documentation, including
report definitions, data sources, business logic, calculations,
dependencies, and intended use to support consistency and knowledge
sharing.
- Support reporting testing and validation associated with
Workday releases, system changes, integrations, and business
process changes, ensuring data and reporting outcomes remain
accurate.
- Develop, analyze, and deliver recurring workforce metrics and
reporting packages, including quarterly metrics and other HR
leadership reporting, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and
meaningful interpretation of results.
- Monitor and promote data quality and reporting integrity,
partnering with HR, Payroll, and technical teams to research and
resolve data discrepancies and reporting issues.
- Provide reporting guidance, training, and support to HR users,
helping users understand available reporting capabilities,
interpret report results, and use data appropriately for
decision-making.
- Serve as a resource for HR staff and leadership on Workday
reporting capabilities, including advising on report design, data
availability, appropriate use of Workday data, and limitations of
reporting outputs.
- Identify opportunities to improve, automate, and streamline
reporting processes, leveraging Workday, SQL, Excel, Prism, Cognos,
and other available technologies.
Data Integrity & Security
- Monitor, analyze, and validate HR and Payroll data across
Workday and related systems, developing and executing audit queries
to proactively identify data quality issues, anomalies, and
inconsistencies.
- Reconcile HR and Payroll data across Workday, integrations, and
downstream systems, investigating discrepancies and partnering with
functional and technical teams to identify root causes and
implement resolutions.
- Support data integrity audits, testing, and controls associated
with HR systems, integrations, releases, and business process
changes, ensuring accurate, complete, and reliable data.
- Protect the confidentiality and security of sensitive HR and
Payroll data, adhering to University policies and data governance
standards while identifying and escalating potential privacy,
security, or access concerns.
Training/Communications
- Develop and deliver training to HR and Payroll users on Workday
reporting, data analysis, and related reporting tools and
capabilities.
- Develop, update, and maintain user guides, training materials,
job aids, and other documentation to support effective and
consistent use of Workday reporting and analytics.
- Develop and maintain a centralized library of standard reports
and reporting documentation, including report purpose, data
definitions, business logic, and intended use.
- Communicate reporting changes, new capabilities, and data
insights to HR stakeholders and provide guidance to help users
effectively interpret and utilize HR and Payroll data.
Position Type
Human Resources
Additional Information
Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work
experience, education and skills when extending an offer.
Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit
eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid
time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as
well as commuting & transportation. Visit
https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for
more information.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive
consideration for employment without regard to race, religion,
color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability
status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable
law.
Compensation Grade/Pay Type:
111S
Expected Hiring Range:
$87,785.00 - $123,998.75
With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend
on several factors, which may include your education, experience,
location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay
comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role.
Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to
change.
To apply, visit https://northeastern.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/careers/job/Boston-MA-Main-Campus/HR-Platforms-Reporting---Data-Analyst_R142147
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