"Manager - HR Platforms (Workday) & Solutions"

About the Opportunity

Job Summary

The HR Platforms & Solution Manager will serve as both a hands-on Workday configuration expert and a strategic HR technology leader for the Benefits, Advanced Compensation, and Absence modules. This hybrid role combines individual contributor responsibilities-including configuration, testing, and implementation-with team leadership and stakeholder management. The manager will design and deliver scalable solutions, ensure compliance with HR programs, and support system governance while mentoring HRIS analysts and partnering with HR COEs, payroll, IT, and vendors.

Hybrid work arrangement required.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The University is unable to work sponsor for this role, now or in the future.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Information Systems, or related field.
• 5+ years of Workday HCM experience with deep expertise in Benefits, Advanced Compensation, and Absence.
• Workday HCM certification in Benefits, Advanced Compensation, or Absence required.
• Proven hands-on configuration experience across modules, including testing, deployment, and creating test plans/cases.
• Experience with EIBs, Prism, or advanced reporting.
• Prior experience leading or mentoring HRIS analysts.
• Strong knowledge of global HR processes, U.S. benefits regulations, compensation practices, and leave compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects and deliver results independently and in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and consulting skills, with experience identifying operational issues and implementing solutions.
• Strong organizational, time management, and multitasking skills with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional communication skills (oral, written, and interpersonal) with the ability to partner effectively across technical and business stakeholders.
• Proven ability to build strong customer relationships and respond with a service-oriented mindset.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and influence team members while maintaining confidentiality and professional presence.
• High attention to detail, accuracy, and thoroughness; hands-on style with strong collaboration skills and positive energy.
• Prior experience in higher education is a plus.

Key Competencies

• Hands-on technical expertise with strategic thinking.
• Ability to balance execution (configuration/testing) with leadership (mentorship, stakeholder engagement).
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Continuous improvement mindset with focus on employee experience.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

System Management & Configuration

• Perform hands-on Workday configuration for HCM Modules with a focus on Benefits, Advanced Compensation, and Absence modules, including business processes, eligibility rules, condition rules, security, and calculated fields.
• Design and maintain absence plans, accruals, and time-off programs, leveraging best practice, ensuring compliance with local and federal regulations.
• Configure and manage benefit enrollment events, annual enrollment setup, and compliance-driven updates (ACA, COBRA, etc.).
• Configure and support compensation cycles, merit processes, bonus plans, and advanced compensation structures.
• Partner with IT to provide support on Workday integrations with internal systems (e.g., Payroll, Finance, Time Tracking) and external vendors (e.g., benefits carriers, compensation survey providers), ensuring accuracy, compliance, and data integrity.
• Build and maintain custom reports, dashboards, and EIBs to support HR and business needs.
• Technical SME for all systems and software upgrades, implementations, and integration projects.
• Develops appropriate test plans, test cases and conducts unit testing, system integration testing, regression testing, and user acceptance testing (UAT) for new functionality and Workday releases.
• Lead or contribute to implementation of new Workday functionality, enhancements, and system optimizations.

Projects & Enhancements

• Serve as project lead for initiatives such as open enrollment, annual compensation cycles, or new feature releases and enhancements.
• Analyze business requirements, translate into functional design, and implement solutions within Workday.
• Lead change management activities including developing training materials.
• Manage Workday bi-annual release cycles: review release notes, assess impacts, configure new features, conduct regression testing, and communicate changes.

Support & Governance

• Provide Level 2/3 support, troubleshooting issues escalated from HR, payroll, or HR Service Team.
• Maintain system documentation, SOPs, and knowledge articles for internal and end-user support.
• Partner with vendors and Workday Community to resolve escalated system issues and stay current on roadmap updates.

Stakeholder Partnership & Leadership

• Collaborate with HR Benefits, Compensation, Payroll, Absence, and Finance program owners to ensure Workday aligns with policy and strategy.
• Mentor and guide HRIS analysts on day-to-day activities including system configuration, resolving issues, understanding business processes and requirements, system capabilities/limitations, testing new functionality and understanding our complex data.
• Communicate technical solutions in clear, business-friendly terms to stakeholders.
• Ensure system compliance with applicable regulations (ACA, FMLA, state leave laws, etc.).
• Oversees major projects and strategic change initiatives including evaluating feasibility analysis, solutions evaluation, and recommendation, managing impact analysis, business case development, risk assessment and resource planning.
• Drives the successful delivery, deployment and adoption of complex projects (e.g. Workday HR modules, Case Management Knowledgebase, etc.) that require complex stakeholder management.
• Responsible for the evaluation, definition, and technical design of optimal and innovative solution. Continually strive for operational excellence and simplicity in the employee experience.
• Partnering with the project manager, develops a comprehensive project plan and ensures milestones are met.
• Responsible for interfacing with external vendors at all levels to manage the relationship and ensure the proper delivery of services.
• Provides excellent customer service.

Must demonstrate excellent consulting, negotiation, analysis, problem-solving, decision-making and time management skills. Must have the ability to interact with customers in a sensitive and diplomatic manner, maintaining positive relationships and building consensus on project goals.

To ensure that essential services are provided to the university community, the employee will be required to work outside their regular working hours as needed.

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

112S

Expected Hiring Range

$97,550.00 - $141,443.75