Executive Director, HR and Workday Platform Technology

Ladders; Durham (NC); Hybrid; USD 200,000 - 265,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Education and professional development

Lead high-performing team

Hybrid work environment

Exposure to cutting-edge HR technology

Job summary

Ladders is seeking an Executive Director, HR and Workday Platform Technology to lead strategy, governance, and operations for HR technology in a regulated global business. This role is based in Durham, NC and partners with HR, IT, vendors and stakeholders to ensure stable service delivery and scalable solutions.

You will drive standardization, prioritization, and governance across HR platforms, including Workday, overseeing external partners and ensuring audit readiness and value-driven delivery.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of leadership in enterprise applications or HR technology.
• Hands-on experience with HR technology platforms and HCM capabilities.
• Proven experience as a technology platform owner or senior leader in HR technology.
• Experience with enterprise application support and product ownership.
• Familiarity with regulated environments, strong governance, and audit expectations.
• Experience managing external vendors and implementation partners.
• Demonstrated people leadership experience, including managing cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy and operational support for the HR technology platform.
• Own technology direction and governance for key HR capabilities.
• Ensure reliable support and operational excellence for HR and enabling services.
• Oversee prioritization and value-based sequencing of HR technology demands.
• Drive standardization and simplification of processes across domains.
• Define and enforce governance standards for the platform.

Skills

HR technology

Leadership

Governance

Vendor management

Product ownership

HCM

Enterprise apps

Regulated environments

Job description

For our client, we are seeking a Executive Director, HR and Workday Platform Technology to join the team of a leader in the Pharmaceuticals & Biotech space.

This role will guide the strategy, governance, and operational excellence of HR technology platforms supporting a regulated global business. The leader will partner closely with HR, IT, vendors, and business stakeholders to ensure stable service delivery, disciplined prioritization, and scalable technology solutions. This position will also drive standardization, simplification, and effective support across key HR and enabling services.

Location: Durham, NC

Compensation: $200,000 – $265,000 annually

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy and operational support for the HR technology platform.
• Own technology direction and governance for key capabilities.
• Ensure reliable support and operational excellence for HR and enabling services.
• Oversee prioritization and value-based sequencing of HR technology demands.
• Drive standardization and simplification of processes across domains.
• Define and enforce governance standards for the platform.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of leadership in enterprise applications or HR technology.
• Strong hands-on experience with HR technology platforms and HCM capabilities.
• Proven experience as a technology platform owner or senior leader in HR technology.
• Experience with enterprise application support and product ownership.
• Familiarity with regulated environments, strong governance, and audit expectations.
• Experience managing external vendors and implementation partners.
• Demonstrated people leadership experience, including managing cross-functional teams.

Benefits

• Support for ongoing education and professional development.
• Opportunity to lead a high-performing team.
• Access to a dynamic work environment with potential for both remote and on-site work.
• Exposure to cutting-edge HR technology and innovation initiatives.

Our client is an equal opportunity employer.