Job Description

HRIS Specialist – Workday Advanced Compensation

We are seeking an experienced HRIS Specialist with deep expertise in Workday HCM and Advanced Compensation to support, optimize, and enhance enterprise HR systems. This role serves as the functional subject matter expert for Workday Core HCM and Advanced Compensation, ensuring data integrity, system compliance, operational efficiency, and scalable workforce solutions.

The ideal candidate will lead the design, configuration, and ongoing optimization of compensation programs, including merit increases, incentive plans, equity programs, and long-term rewards initiatives. This individual will collaborate closely with cross-functional stakeholders to deliver strategic system enhancements and support key compensation and workforce management processes.

Key Responsibilities

Workday Advanced Compensation & System Administration

• Serve as the functional lead and subject matter expert for Workday Advanced Compensation.
• Configure, maintain, and optimize compensation programs including merit planning, incentive compensation, equity awards, and compensation guidelines.
• Partner with Human Resources, Compensation, Finance, and Technology teams to ensure compensation processes are scalable, compliant, and aligned with organizational objectives.
• Lead system configuration, enhancements, and annual compensation cycles while maintaining data integrity and a positive end-user experience.
• Manage end-to-end annual compensation planning activities, including design, testing, deployment, and post-cycle analysis.
• Develop and maintain compensation eligibility rules, budgets, guidelines, and compensation matrices.
• Support compensation benchmarking initiatives and integration of market data.
• Create and maintain compensation reports, dashboards, and analytics to support leadership decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, audit requirements, and compensation governance standards.
• Identify opportunities for automation and process improvements to increase efficiency and user adoption.
• Lead User Acceptance Testing (UAT) activities related to compensation enhancements and system updates.
• Provide advanced troubleshooting and Tier 2/3 support for compensation-related system issues.

Job Architecture & Reporting

• Design, govern, and continuously improve job architecture frameworks, including job profiles, job families, and career levels.
• Ensure job structures remain scalable, consistent, and aligned with organizational and talent management strategies.
• Develop and maintain advanced reports, matrix reports, dashboards, calculated fields, and workforce analytics.
• Translate business requirements into scalable Workday solutions and reporting capabilities.

System Governance & Continuous Improvement

• Support Workday release management activities, including impact assessments, testing, configuration updates, documentation, and stakeholder communications.
• Follow established change management, testing, documentation, and deployment protocols to ensure reliable system performance.
• Contribute to ongoing HR technology initiatives and other projects as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Experience

• 3–5+ years of hands-on Workday experience with strong expertise in Advanced Compensation.
• Strong understanding of Core HCM, compensation administration, employee lifecycle processes, and HR data structures.
• Experience configuring, testing, and implementing Workday enhancements and system changes.
• Proven experience supporting large-scale annual compensation planning cycles.
• Strong knowledge of compensation strategy, salary structures, incentive programs, and market benchmarking practices.
• Experience designing and maintaining job architecture frameworks, including job profiles, job families, and career levels.
• Advanced experience with Workday reporting, dashboards, calculated fields, and workforce analytics.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex system issues, perform root cause analysis, and implement sustainable solutions.
• Ability to translate business requirements into technical configurations and system enhancements.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality results in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience supporting enterprise HR systems within complex, multi-faceted organizations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Workday certifications in HCM, Compensation, Advanced Compensation, and/or Reporting.
• Experience with equity administration platforms, Total Rewards systems, or compensation management technologies.
• Familiarity with Agile methodologies and tools such as Jira.
• Knowledge of regulatory and compliance considerations impacting compensation programs.