HRIS Specialist - Contract-to-hire

Keen Search & Staffing, LLC; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 57,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

Keen Search & Staffing, LLC in Houston, TX is seeking a Senior HRIS Analyst to serve as a Workday SME, overseeing administration, configuration, and optimization of Workday and related HR tech.

You will collaborate across HR, Payroll, Finance and IT, lead upgrades, reporting, governance, and deliver scalable solutions that improve processes, data accuracy, and the employee experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in HR, IS, business or related field.
• 5–7 years HRIS experience with enterprise systems.
• 4–5 years Workday experience across modules (HCM, Recruiting, etc.).
• Experience managing HRIS projects and system upgrades.

Responsibilities

• Act as senior Workday resource; oversee admin, configuration, troubleshooting, and optimization.
• Manage daily HRIS activities: data accuracy, security, governance, compliance.
• Develop scalable HR tech solutions aligning with organizational goals.
• Identify automation opportunities across HR systems and user experiences.
• Oversee Workday releases, upgrades, and new features.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Project management

Communication

Stakeholder collaboration

Leadership

Problem solving

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/IS/Business/CS

Tools

Workday

Microsoft Office

Job description

Location: Onsite – Northwest Houston, TX

Pay: $50/hour

Position Overview

The Senior HRIS Analyst will serve as a key Workday subject matter expert, overseeing the administration, configuration, maintenance, enhancement, and ongoing optimization of Workday and other HR technology platforms. This individual will collaborate with Human Resources, Payroll, Finance, IT, and organizational leadership to develop technology solutions that improve business processes, increase operational effectiveness, maintain data accuracy, ensure compliance, and enhance the overall employee experience.

This role will take the lead on HRIS initiatives, including system implementations, upgrades, reporting, analytics, integrations, system governance, and process improvements. The successful candidate will bring extensive experience in HRIS and Workday, strong technical and analytical capabilities, excellent project management skills, and the ability to turn complex business requirements into practical, scalable technology solutions.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Act as the organization's senior Workday functional resource and primary point of escalation, overseeing system administration, configuration, troubleshooting, ongoing support, and optimization across multiple modules.
• Manage daily HRIS activities while maintaining system performance, data accuracy, security, governance, and compliance with established policies and industry standards.
• Evaluate complex business needs and develop scalable HR technology solutions that align with organizational goals and workforce requirements.
• Work alongside HR, Payroll, Finance, IT, and business leadership to identify opportunities for automation, process efficiency, and improvements to HR systems and user experiences.
• Oversee the assessment, configuration, testing, implementation, and support of Workday releases, system upgrades, new features, enhancements, and module rollouts.
• Provide advanced expertise in Workday business processes, security configuration, reporting, calculated fields, integrations, and Enterprise Interface Builders (EIBs).
• Design, develop, and maintain sophisticated reports, dashboards, workforce metrics, and analytics to support informed business decisions and strategic planning.
• Implement and oversee HRIS governance, audit procedures, and internal controls by routinely reviewing system data, security access, business processes, and integrations.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, configuration records, standard operating procedures, testing documentation, and user training resources.
• Provide guidance, training, and mentorship to HRIS team members and system users to promote effective system utilization and best practices.
• Direct HRIS projects and technology initiatives from initial planning and requirements gathering through implementation and ongoing support.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders to establish technology priorities, develop long-term system strategies, and drive continuous improvements that support business objectives and workforce development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Information Systems, Business Administration, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
• At least 5–7 years of progressively responsible HRIS experience, including administration, configuration, and support of enterprise-level HR systems, with the advanced Workday experience outlined below.
• Minimum of 4–5 years of hands‑on Workday experience, with advanced knowledge in at least one functional area and working experience across additional modules, including HCM, Recruiting, Onboarding, Compensation, Benefits, Payroll, Absence Management, Time Tracking, Performance, Learning, or Analytics.
• Previous experience managing HRIS projects, system implementations, upgrades, enhancements, and cross‑functional technology initiatives.
• Strong technical expertise in Workday configuration, business processes, reporting, calculated fields, integrations, and EIBs.
• Background in developing HR reporting solutions, workforce analytics, dashboards, and actionable business insights.
• Experience supporting international employee populations and global HR operations, including coordination of regional processes and country‑specific requirements, is a plus.
• Workday certifications are preferred but not mandatory.

Knowledge, Skills & Attributes

• Comprehensive understanding of Human Resources operations, regulatory requirements, compliance standards, and HR technology best practices.
• Previous functional HR experience or a strong foundation in Human Resources is highly desirable.
• Exceptional analytical and problem‑solving abilities, with strong attention to detail and the ability to investigate complex system issues, identify root causes, and implement effective solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts to both technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Strong relationship‑building and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across departments, organizational levels, and varying stakeholder groups.
• Demonstrates professionalism, sound judgment, integrity, and the ability to handle highly confidential information appropriately.
• Ability to influence decisions, balance competing priorities, and communicate effectively with senior leadership and cross‑functional partners.
• Capable of working independently while also contributing effectively within a collaborative team environment.
• Outstanding project management, organizational, and coordination skills.
• Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.