Overview
This role is for a collaborative, solutions-oriented Senior Financial Systems Analyst supporting financial and sponsored research operations through expert use of Workday Financials, Workday Grants Management, and Workday Financials Reporting.
The Senior Financial Systems Analyst acts as a functional leader and trusted advisor, partnering with Finance & Accounting, Grant and Contract Services (GCS), and Research Administration to design intuitive systems, strengthen compliance, and improve how data and processes support scientific discovery. Responsibilities include implementation support, post-production optimization, reporting and analytics, and continuous process improvement across finance and sponsored research.
Responsibilities
Lead Workday Financials & Grants Management Solutions
- Serve as a functional lead for Workday Financials and Workday Grants Management, partnering with Grant and Contract Services (GCS), Research Administration, and Finance & Accounting in a higher education and research environment
- Analyze, design, and optimize financial and grants management systems and processes, leveraging Workday best practices
- Partner closely with GCS to ensure Workday configurations support sponsor terms, institutional policies, and regulatory requirements
- Support the full sponsored research lifecycle in Workday, including award setup, budgeting, amendments, cost sharing, F&A, billing, revenue recognition, and closeout
- Support core financial management processes across General Ledger/Financial Reporting, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Procurement, Assets, Cash Management, and Financial Planning & Analysis to align with institution accounting policies and best practices
- Collaborate with Finance & Accounting leadership and business process owners to design, optimize, and govern Workday Financials configurations and controls
- Act as a key functional lead and trusted advisor during Workday implementations, enhancements, and optimization initiatives
Design and Improve Business Processes
- Collaborate with Finance & Accounting, GCS, Research Administration, Information Systems, HRIS, and other institution partners to design efficient, compliant, and user-friendly processes
- Lead requirements gathering, business process mapping, and future-state design for financial and grants workflows
- Translate complex operational needs into clear functional requirements and Workday configurations
- Evaluate current-state processes, identify improvement opportunities, and guide stakeholders toward best-practice solutions
- Coordinate and support system testing, user acceptance testing, and issue resolution with business and technical teams
- Support integrations between Workday and other institutional systems and tools
Reporting, Analytics & Insights
- Design and maintain Workday Financials and Grants reports, including standard, custom, and composite reports
- Develop dashboards and metrics supporting research administration, financial management, grants oversight, audit readiness, and leadership decision-making
- Partner with Finance, FP&A, GCS, and Research Administration leadership to define reporting standards, data governance, and analytics priorities
- Provide ad hoc reporting and analysis to support operational and strategic needs
Support, Stewardship & Continuous Improvement
- Provide ongoing functional support to Finance & Accounting, GCS & Research Administration, and the broader Workday user community
- Coordinate system enhancements, upgrades, documentation, and end-user training
- Develop clear user guides, training materials, and process documentation tailored to a research environment
- Support internal and external audits, compliance reviews, and sponsor inquiries
- Proactively identify opportunities to improve system usability, productivity, and user experience
- Contribute to a culture of service, collaboration, and continuous improvement
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field
- At least 7 years of experience supporting financial systems, with increasing responsibility and scope
- At least 5 years of hands-on experience with Workday Financial Management, including implementation, configuration, administration, and support
- Demonstrated experience with Workday Grants Management and sponsored research business processes
- Strong experience developing Workday Financials and Grants reports, including custom and composite reporting
- Experience working in or closely with higher education, research institutions, or other grant-funded organizations
- Proven ability to gather requirements, perform gap analysis, and design effective system solutions
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to data quality and integrity
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to partner effectively across diverse stakeholder groups
Preferred Qualifications
- MBA or advanced degree
- Workday Financial Management and/or Workday Grants certifications
- Experience supporting complex, decentralized organizations
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary Range: $128,560 - $168,003
- This salary range reflects the expected minimum and maximum base pay for new hires. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as relevant skills, experience, and qualifications, as well as internal equity and market conditions.
- In addition to base salary, eligible employees also receive a comprehensive benefits package.
Location
Additional Information
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and submission as soon as possible is encouraged to ensure full consideration. Reviews will continue until the position is filled.
Equal Employment Opportunity
- The employer 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.
Massachusetts Lie Detector Law
- It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. Violations may result in criminal penalties and civil liability.