Principal Workday Analyst [PATT Certified]

Overview

The organization is seeking a Principal Workday Analyst to provide primary support for Workday Payroll, Absence, Time & Attendance, and Project and/or Grants modules, with additional support for broader HCM/Payroll needs as required. This senior-level role combines deep Workday expertise, data governance practices, and analytics capabilities to ensure system accuracy, compliance, and strategic utilization.

This role may be remote, hybrid, or onsite. It is a regular, full-time, exempt position and is eligible for benefits.

Responsibilities

Workday System Administration and Optimization

• Lead optimization and review of system configuration, testing, and maintenance for Workday Payroll, Absence, Time Tracking (PATT), and Projects and/or Grants to support People Operations, Payroll, Finance, and business operations.
• Understand Time tracking, Absence, and Projects and/or Grants in relation to recording all employee time and work order management.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (People Operations, Payroll, Accounting, IS, and relevant stakeholders) to ensure seamless integration and data flow among Workday modules and external systems.
• Troubleshoot and resolve system issues promptly and effectively, focusing on interdependencies between Time, Projects and/or Grants, Absence, Payroll, and external applications.
• Identify and recommend new Workday features or enhancements—particularly for PATT, Projects and/or Grants—to improve functionality and user experience.

Data Governance and Quality

• Oversee data governance for PATT, Projects, and Grants, ensuring accuracy, privacy, and compliance with 2 CFR Part 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.
• Conduct biweekly reconciliations of time tracking (hours and costs) from Workday to Legacy ERP to ensure accurate allocation to the correct cost centers/projects.
• Troubleshoot and resolve discrepancies to maintain compliance with 2 CFR Part 200 and labor laws, ahead of the transition to Workday Finance.
• Ensure all KPI reporting for FTE compliance is reconciled quarterly.
• Conduct regular audits of payroll- and time-related data, address quality issues, and implement improvement plans.
• Ensure secure data flows and storage solutions meet organizational standards and comply with relevant laws and regulations (e.g., wage and hour laws, CCPA).
• Ensure time and attendance data accuracy for correct payroll calculations, expense management, and workforce cost analysis, including government compliance under Uniform Guidance Cost Principles 2 CFR Part 200 and labor laws.

Reporting and Analytics

• Develop and generate Workday reports related to PATT, Projects, and Grants to enable data-driven decisions for Finance, People Operations, and business leaders.
• Analyze payroll, time tracking, and project data to identify trends, compliance gaps, or optimization opportunities.
• Develop and maintain labor reporting for Federal Grant compliance.
• Contribute to advanced analytics initiatives, including predictive modeling and forecasting for workforce planning, overtime costs, and other critical metrics.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Lead or co-lead complex projects to enhance PATT, Projects, and Grants capabilities in Workday, including system upgrades and process improvements.
• Mentor and guide team members in best practices for Workday configuration and data governance.
• Foster collaboration across departments to improve data literacy, maintain best practices, and align system functions with broader organizational goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Data Analytics, or a related field; OR 6+ years of equivalent, related work experience.
• 5+ years of experience with Workday HRIS, including configuration, with a focus on Payroll and Time Tracking.
• Experience with Workday Projects & Grants module, including advanced 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 data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI) and basic programming (e.g., Python, R).
• Proven analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional projects and collaborate with teams.
• High ethical standards in managing sensitive and confidential data.
• Commitment to continuous professional development in data governance, payroll compliance, and HR technology advancements.
• Workday PATT Certification; or equivalent professional experience in Workday PATT consulting, configuration and management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in nonprofit research institutions, including marine operations and higher education.
• Knowledge of data privacy laws and regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) and wage/hour regulations.
• Experience in data governance or data quality management.
• CTA/CPP certification.
• PMP or other project management certification.

Additional Job Requirements

• Travel to the institute for team meetings and events as needed.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary Range: $145,747.77 – $190,852.16.
• Eligible employees receive a comprehensive benefits package.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The organization provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Application Review

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and submission is encouraged as soon as possible to ensure full consideration.