HR Platform Data Analyst - WORKDAY HCM

Northeastern University; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Northeastern University in Boston seeks a Reporting & Data Analyst for HR Platforms (HRIT) to support Workday HCM and Payroll data analytics, develop and maintain reports, and translate business needs into actionable insights.

The role collaborates with HR, Payroll, Finance, and college/division stakeholders to ensure data quality, investigate discrepancies, and deliver accurate workforce analytics using Workday, SQL, Prism, and Excel.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of progressive experience in HR data analytics, HR systems, reporting, or related field.
• Strong understanding of Workday HCM and Payroll processes in higher education contexts.
• Experience with Workday reporting across HCM and Payroll and ability to troubleshoot reports.

Responsibilities

• Partner with HR, Payroll, Finance, and stakeholders to translate data needs into accurate reporting solutions.
• Develop, maintain, and enhance reports and queries using Workday HCM/Payroll, Prism, SQL, Excel, and other tools.
• Analyze HR and Payroll datasets to identify trends, discrepancies, and data integrity issues; investigate root causes.
• Collaborate with Technical/functional teams on testing, validation, and issue resolution.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Excel proficiency

SQL proficiency

Attention to detail

Curiosity

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems/CS/Business/HR/Data Analytics

Tools

Workday HCM

Prism

Job description

To meet the challenges of the university’s continued growth and expansion, the HR Platforms (HRIT) team is looking for a qualified candidate who will contribute to the support and data analytics of Workday HCM.

HYBRID Required to be ON CAMPUS in BOSTON Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri (Wed is remote).

The HR Platforms (HRIT) Reporting & Data Analyst serves as a key data and reporting resource within HR Platforms, partnering with HR functional areas, Payroll, Finance, and college/division HR stakeholders to understand complex business requirements and deliver accurate, meaningful workforce data and analytics.

This role requires a strong understanding of Workday HCM and Payroll business processes, particularly within the complexities of a decentralized higher education environment with diverse employee populations, organizational structures, and business practices.

The Reporting & Data Analyst translates business needs into effective reporting and analytical solutions, developing and maintaining Workday reports, SQL queries, and other data solutions. The role analyzes complex datasets to identify trends, discrepancies, anomalies, and data integrity issues; investigates root causes; and provides insights that support operational and strategic decision‑making.

This position also partners closely with HR Platforms Business Systems Analysts and other technical and functional teams to test, validate, and resolve data and reporting issues.

Success in this role requires strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, expert proficiency in Excel, proficiency in SQL, attention to detail, and a naturally curious mindset. The successful candidate will be comfortable asking questions, challenging data that does not appear correct, investigating complex issues, and translating analytical findings into clear, actionable information for both technical and non‑technical audiences. The role requires sound judgment, initiative, strong customer service skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines in a high‑volume environment while maintaining confidentiality and the highest standards of data integrity.

Key responsibilities include:

• Partner with HR, Payroll, Finance, and college/division HR stakeholders to understand complex business requirements and translate data needs into accurate, sustainable reporting and analytical solutions.
• Develop, maintain, and enhance reports and queries using Workday HCM/Payroll, Prism, SQL, Excel, and other reporting and analytical tools.
• Analyze and reconcile complex HR and Payroll datasets to identify trends, anomalies, discrepancies, and data integrity issues and investigate root causes.
• Collaborate with HR Platforms Business Systems Analysts and other technical and functional partners on requirements, testing, validation, system changes, and resolution of data and reporting issues.

To support the University's essential services and business operations, this position may occasionally be required to work outside of regular business hours, including during critical system activities, reporting deadlines, or other periods of operational need.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Business, Human Resources, Data Analytics, or a related field required.
• 3–5 years of progressive experience in HR data analytics, HR systems, reporting, or a related field, with demonstrated experience analyzing complex HR and payroll data.
• Strong understanding of Workday HCM and Payroll business processes, including the ability to understand how transactions, business processes, organizational structures, compensation, time, absence, payroll, and employee lifecycle events impact downstream data and reporting.
• Experience with Workday reporting across HCM and Payroll, including developing, maintaining, interpreting, and troubleshooting reports and identifying opportunities to improve reporting accuracy and effectiveness.
• Higher education HR and Payroll experience is strongly preferred, with an understanding of the unique organizational structures, academic populations, employee types, appointments, positions, grants/funding, faculty/staff populations, and other complexities common to higher education.