HRIS Analyst

The HRIS Analyst is a Workday specialist with a particular expertise in Workday Payroll configuration and processing, responsible for ensuring accurate, compliant, and scalable payroll operations. This role analyzes, implements, and maintains Workday to support HR, Payroll, and operations, with a strong focus on payroll accuracy, tax compliance, absence-to-pay integration, and payroll-related feature adoption. The analyst optimizes system functionality, ensures data integrity, and delivers payroll-first solutions while balancing operational support with strategic initiatives.

Key Responsibilities 

Workday System Management and Support 

• Act as Workday SME, guiding stakeholders/cross-functional teams on solutions for business issues. 

• Maintain system (security, processes, reporting, integrations, data loads); troubleshoot, escalate, manage Jira/HR tickets. 

• Balance support (ticketing/ad-hoc) with projects. 

• Deliver proactive training/consultation/knowledge transfer on changes/enhancements/implementations. 

• Maintain business process docs, user guides, and update communications. 

• Ensure internal controls via audits/compliance checks. 

Feature Release Pre-Planning and Adoption 

• Participate in biannual release pre-planning: review notes early, evaluate features, assess strategic fit (priorities, ROI, goals). 

• Prioritize/recommend adoptions for efficiencies/relationships/benefits; develop value props for leadership. 

• Execute implementations (testing, config, change management, user awareness) for smooth adoption. 

• Engage Workday roadmap: attend Rising/user groups, network Community, influence as customer voice. 

Payroll Configuration 

• Configure payroll (earnings codes, deductions, tax integrations) for accurate withholding/compliance/tax ties. 

• Support processing: test configs, resolve integrations, guide requirements. 

Absence Management 

• Configure absences/time-off (accruals, balances, sequencing like pro-ration/carryover) per policies/laws. 

• Optimize workflows for efficiency, self-service, and payroll/benefits integration. 

Analytics and Reporting 

• Build/run/maintain reports/dashboards for HR/Payroll/business insights to drive strategies/decisions. 

• Support compensation via grading profiles/eligibility configs as needed. 

• Perform data audits/analysis for accuracy/HCM support. 

Project Management and Process Improvement 

• Serve as business analyst: partner with users, understand needs, leverage Workday solutions. 

• Prioritize/manage multiple projects (impact/effort/alignment); develop efficient processes. 

• Propose enhancements in strategic meetings for adoption/efficiencies/outcomes. 

• Maintain vendor ties (Workday/consultants); track trends/best practices to advocate needs. 

Qualifications 

Education and Experience 

• Bachelor’s in HR, IT, or related. 

• 3-5+ years Workday config; prefer payroll (earnings/tax) and absence (calculations/sequencing) expertise. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Deep Workday knowledge (architecture, security, reporting, integrations). 

• Proficient in Excel, Workday reports/dashboards; familiar with Community. 

• Strong oral/written communication; "client service" mindset, collaborative/non-adversarial. 

• Proven PM/process improvement/analytical skills: prioritize, solve problems, drive change in fast-paced settings. 

• Builds trust/cross-functional relationships for goals. 

• Inquisitive/creative/innovative; urgent on docs/results. 

• Handles confidential info discreetly; delivers incredible hospitality. 

• Multitasks (support/projects); focuses on deadlines.