Sr. Workday Payroll Lead (Higher Education)

Overview

The organization is seeking a Senior Workday Payroll Lead (Higher Education) to lead a Higher Education Workday Payroll implementation. This role serves as the primary payroll subject matter expert, responsible for Workday Payroll configuration, payroll engine design, testing, reconciliation, and stakeholder leadership throughout delivery.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Lead Workday Payroll SME for a payroll implementation.
• Lead full lifecycle Workday Payroll projects, including discovery, design, configuration, testing, deployment, and post-production support.
• Design and configure Workday Payroll solutions, including:
  • Payroll engine setup
  • Earnings, deductions, and taxes
  • Retro processing
  • Balancing and reconciliation
• Provide expertise in pass-through payroll models, shadow payroll calculations, and payroll validation processes.
• Facilitate payroll workshops, requirements sessions, and solution design discussions with client stakeholders.
• Partner with architects, integration teams, Workday resources, and client leadership to resolve complex payroll challenges.
• Lead payroll testing, parallel payroll execution, reconciliation, and go-live readiness activities.
• Manage payroll-related risks, issues, and client escalations.
• Act as a trusted advisor to client leadership and project sponsors.
• Drive alignment across cross-functional teams to achieve project objectives and successful delivery.

Requirements

• 8+ years of Workday Payroll experience.
• Minimum of 3-4 full lifecycle Workday Payroll implementations, including at least 2 as a Payroll Lead.
• Expert-level knowledge of:
  • Workday Payroll Configuration
  • Payroll Engine Design
  • Payroll Calculations
  • Earnings & Deductions
  • Payroll Tax Configuration
  • Retro Processing
  • Payroll Testing & Parallel Payroll
  • Payroll Balancing & Reconciliation
• Experience with pass-through payroll environments and shadow payroll calculations.
• Proven ability to lead complex client engagements and manage executive-level stakeholder relationships.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams through challenging implementation scenarios.
• Strong consulting, communication, presentation, and facilitation skills.
• Direct Higher Education payroll experience, including supporting faculty, adjunct pay, academic compensation structures, student workers, and other university payroll environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current or previous Workday Payroll Certification.
• Experience with Workday HCM, Time Tracking, and Absence.
• 5+ full lifecycle Workday Payroll implementations strongly preferred.