HR Technology Leader Workday Payroll, Time & Absence (Global Solution Architect)

Job Title: Workday Payroll, Time & Absence Consultant

Location: Remote OR Relocation (Preferred)

Duration: Long term contract

HR Technology Leader Workday Payroll, Absence & Time

We are seeking an experienced HR Technology Leader specializing in Payroll, Absence, and Time Tracking who can deliver scalable, compliant, and intuitive global employee experiences. In this senior role, you will own end-to-end solution design and apply deep Workday expertise to govern complex payroll, accrual, and time valuation configurations. You will drive innovation across core HR and pay processes, lead cross functional initiatives, and translate business needs into clear, user focused system designs. This role requires strong analytical capabilities, advanced configuration proficiency, and the leadership to guide analysts and project teams in delivering accurate, compliant, and high quality HR technology solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Workday Expertise & Solution Design
• Serve as the senior Workday expert for Payroll, Absence, and Time Tracking modules, leading advanced design and configuration of pay calculation rules, accrual logic, eligibility, earnings/deductions setup, and time valuation.
• Lead and coordinate end-to-end global deployment of Absence and Time Tracking solutions, ensuring consistent implementation, compliance, and successful adoption across all regions.
• Translate union rules, labor regulations, and business policies into scalable system designs.
• Ensure all functional designs adhere to governance, documentation standards, compliance requirements, and audit controls.
• Partner with technical teams on payroll/time-related integrations, data flows, and troubleshooting.

Governance & Quality Assurance

• Oversee and mentor HR Technology Analysts in configuration, testing, and deployment activities.
• Review and approve configuration, test scripts, test results, and documentation to ensure accuracy and audit readiness.
• Lead complex troubleshooting related to gross-to-net results, retro calculations, accruals, time valuation, and integration discrepancies.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, local, and international payroll and leave laws (e.g., overtime rules, FMLA, provincial rules, tax regulations).

Optimization & Workday Enhancements

• Evaluate Workday semiannual releases and identify features that improve payroll accuracy, compliance, and processing efficiency.
• Recommend and implement process and system enhancements, including automation and error-reduction strategies.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives in partnership with Payroll Operations, HR Operations, and other HR COEs.
• Stay current on evolving payroll regulations, time/attendance laws, and Workday platform updates to inform system strategy.

Collaboration, Training & Stakeholder Partnership

• Partner with Payroll, HR Operations, Total Rewards, IT, Legal, and Compliance to gather requirements, influence design decisions, and resolve complex issues.
• Lead functional workshops, design reviews, and decision-making discussions, ensuring alignment of technology solutions with business needs.
• Provide ongoing training, knowledge transfer, and documentation for analysts, HR partners, and payroll team members.
• Communicate system changes, impacts, risks, and recommendations to business leaders and operations teams.

User Experience, Testing & Continuous Improvement

• Champion user-centric design principles for payroll, time tracking, and absence processes.
• Lead structured testing cycles for releases, enhancements, and integration updates.
• Ensure clean data, accurate processing, and reliable system performance across payroll and time functions.
• Proactively identify issues, recommend solutions, and drive long-term improvements.

Skills: To set you up for success in this role from day one, 3M requires (at a minimum) the following qualifications:

• Bachelor s Degree or higher (completed and verified prior to start).
• 5 years of HR Technology experience in a private, public, government or military environment
• 5 years of Workday configuration experience specializing in Payroll, Absence, and/or Time Tracking. in a private, public, government or military environment

Additional qualifications that could help you succeed even further in this role include:

• Workday Pro certification preferred.
• Strong expertise with US Workday Payroll.
• Proven success designing complex pay calculation rules, accrual configurations, time valuation, eligibility, and payroll workflows.
• Familiarity with union rules, shift differentials, premium pay, and complex pay components.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting abilities, particularly with pay results and time valuation.
• Experience leading or mentoring analysts or technical team members.
• Strong project management skills; ability to influence at all levels.
• Exceptional communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with Workday Scheduling module preferred.

Education: Bachelor's degree or higher