Principal Workday Analyst – PATT Certified

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Massachusetts.

📋 Description

• Lead the optimization and review of configuration, testing, and maintenance for Workday Payroll, Absence, Time Tracking (PATT), Projects, and/or Grants modules.

• Provide support to People Operations, Payroll, Finance, and business operations.

• Oversee and comprehend time tracking, absence, projects, and grants processes for employee time recording and work order management.

• Collaborate with People Operations, Payroll, Accounting, IS, and stakeholders to ensure smooth integration and data flow between Workday modules and external WHOI systems.

• Address and resolve system issues, concentrating on interdependencies among Time, Projects/Grants, Absence, Payroll, and external applications.

• Identify and suggest Workday features and enhancements to boost functionality and user experience.

• Supervise data governance for PATT, Projects, and Grants, ensuring accuracy, privacy, and regulatory compliance.

• Conduct biweekly reconciliations of time tracking hours and costs from Workday to Legacy ERP.

• Troubleshoot discrepancies and ensure compliance with 2 CFR Part 200 and labor laws.

• Reconcile KPI reporting for FTE compliance on a quarterly basis.

• Audit payroll and time-related data, address quality issues, and implement improvement strategies.

• Ensure that secure data flows and storage solutions meet organizational standards and comply with applicable laws.

• Develop and produce Workday reports for Finance, People Operations, and business leaders.

• Analyze payroll, time-tracking, and project data to uncover trends, compliance gaps, and optimization avenues.

• Develop and maintain labor reporting for Federal Grant compliance.

• Contribute to predictive modeling and forecasting for workforce planning, overtime costs, and critical metrics.

• Lead or co-lead complex Workday projects, system upgrades, and process enhancements.

• Mentor and guide team members on Workday configuration and data governance best practices.

• Promote cross-department collaboration, data literacy, and alignment with organizational objectives.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Data Analytics, or a related field; OR 6+ years of equivalent, relevant work experience.

• 5+ years of experience with Workday HRIS, including configuration, specifically in Payroll and Time Tracking.

• Familiarity with Workday Projects & Grants module, with a detailed understanding of data flows between Time, Projects, Absence, Payroll, and external systems.

• Extensive working experience in payroll processes, wage and hour compliance, and time-tracking workflows.

• Proficiency in Excel, Power BI, and basic programming languages such as Python or R.

• Demonstrated analytical, organizational, and problem-solving capabilities.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts to non-technical audiences.

• Proven capability to lead cross-functional projects and collaborate effectively with teams.

• High ethical standards in handling sensitive and confidential data.

• Commitment to ongoing professional development in data governance, payroll compliance, and advancements in HR technology.

• Workday PATT Certification; or equivalent professional experience in Workday PATT consulting, configuration, and management.

• Preferred: experience in nonprofit research institutions, marine operations, or higher education.

• Preferred: knowledge of GDPR, CCPA, and wage/hour regulations.

• Preferred: CTA/CPP certification.

• Preferred: PMP or other project management certification.

• Travel to the institute for team meetings and events as necessary (<10%).

🏝️ Benefits

• Fixed-term benefit-eligible position.

• Comprehensive benefits package.

• Options for remote, hybrid, or onsite work.

• Travel to the institute for team meetings and events required, as needed (<10%).