Own the architectural and configuration guardrails for Payroll, Time, and Absence, coordinating execution while retaining accountability for outcomes.
Establish and maintain standards for configuration, data integrity, and system governance.
Make and guide key decisions on system design, scalability, and long-term architecture.
Serve as the primary escalation point for complex system and payroll-impacting issues.
System Design & Configuration
Lead configuration of payroll elements, time tracking rules, and absence plans with a focus on scalability and maintainability.
Ensure configurations support business requirements while minimizing downstream risk.
Evaluate and redesign existing configurations to improve performance, accuracy, and usability.
Payroll Systems Enablement (U.S.)
Ensure Workday Payroll configurations support accurate and compliant payroll processing.
Partner with Payroll leadership to identify risks, gaps, and optimization opportunities.
Own enterprise‑level resolution of payroll‑impacting issues, including root cause identification, risk mitigation, and long‑term remediation.
Global Payroll Integration (India - External Vendor)
Own design and reliability of outbound payroll data integrations.
Ensure data accuracy, consistency, and auditability across systems.
Coordinate with external vendors to resolve systemic issues and improve processes.
Architecture, Integrations & Data
Own architectural decisions and trade‑offs for payroll, time, and absence integrations, balancing compliance, scalability, and operational risk (e.g., EIB, APIs, vendor feeds)
Ensure alignment between Workday and downstream/upstream systems
Define and maintain data standards, controls, and validation processes
Workday Release & Change Governance
Lead impact assessment and strategy for Workday biannual releases
Establish testing standards and ensure high-quality deployment of changes
Govern system changes to ensure stability and avoid unintended impacts
Continuous Improvement & Strategy
Identify opportunities to simplify processes, reduce manual work, and improve system efficiency
Translate business needs into scalable, forward-looking system solutions
Shape and influence the broader HR technology roadmap, representing Payroll, Time, and Absence priorities and trade‑offs.
Stakeholder Leadership
Act as the primary technical advisor and decision partner to Payroll, HR, and IT stakeholders
Provide clear recommendations and guidance on system capabilities and limitations
Influence decision-making through expertise and data-driven insights
Required Qualifications
5+ years of Workday experience with deep expertise in:
Workday Payroll (U.S.)
Time Tracking
Absence
Proven experience owning system design and configuration decisions
Strong understanding of payroll processes, compliance, and downstream impacts
Experience supporting integrations and data flows across systems
Demonstrated ability to lead complex problem-solving and root cause analysis
Requirements
Workday certifications in Payroll, Time Tracking, or Absence
Experience with global payroll integrations and vendor coordination
Experience with Workday integrations (EIB, Studio, APIs)
Background in IT or HR technology environments
Success Factors
Operates as the accountable owner of the domain, not just a contributor
Makes sound technical decisions with long-term impact in mind
Balances stability with continuous improvement
Anticipates risks and proactively addresses them
Communicates complex technical concepts clearly to stakeholders
Location :
Three days a week at a Guardian office in New York, NY, Holmdel, NJ, Stamford, CT or Bethlehem, PA.
Salary Range:
$118,980.00 - $195,465.00
Our Promise
At Guardian, you'll have the support and flexibility to achieve your professional and personal goals. Through skill-building, leadership development and philanthropic opportunities, we provi
Additional Information
Position Summary
The Workday Technical Lead - Payroll, Time & Absence is responsible for the end-to-end technical ownership, design, and governance of Workday Payroll, Time Tracking, and Absence modules. This role serves as the system authority for the domain, ensuring scalable design, data integrity, and alignment with business and compliance requirements.
This position operates within IT and partners closely with Payroll, HR, and external vendors to deliver reliable, efficient, and compliant solutions. While not responsible for payroll processing, this role is accountable for the systems and configurations that enable accurate payroll outcomes.
Guardianlife · NY