Workday HCM Workstream Lead (HCM, Compensation & Security)

Planet Group; Chicago (IL); Remote; USD 124,000 - 138,000; Part time

Job summary

Planet Group is seeking a Workday HCM Workstream Lead to own the HCM workstream end to end, focusing on Core HCM, Compensation, and Security. This hands-on leadership role requires deep Workday expertise and strong consulting experience to guide stakeholders through design decisions, configuration, testing, and optimization.

Ideal candidates will proactively identify gaps, recommend solutions, and help the internal team become more confident and self-sufficient in Workday, with experience

Qualifications

• 5+ years of Workday Core HCM experience with hands-on configuration expertise.
• Active Workday HCM certification required.
• Experience with a Workday Certified Services Partner.
• Strong knowledge of Core HCM, Compensation, and Security.
• Experience configuring compensation plans, grades, packages, and eligibility rules.
• Excellent communication and consultative client guidance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the HCM workstream, including planning, priorities, deliverables, and stakeholder communication.
• Own the design, configuration, and optimization of Core HCM, Compensation, and Security.
• Configure organizational structures, job profiles, positions, staffing models, worker lifecycle processes, and business processes.
• Design and maintain compensation plans, grades, packages, eligibility rules, and compensation processes.
• Manage Workday security groups, domain and business process security policies, role assignments, and appropriate access controls.
• Lead testing, troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, Workday release support, and ongoing optimization.
• Coordinate with downstream workstreams, including Payroll, Benefits, Time Tracking, Absence, Talent, Recruiting, Integrations, and Reporting.
• Advise stakeholders, translate business needs into scalable Workday solutions, and provide hands-on guidance and knowledge transfer.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Problem-solving

Training & knowledge transfer

Tools

Workday HCM

Workday configuration

Security configuration

Workday certifications

Workday integrations

Job description

Job Title: Workday HCM Workstream Lead (Core HCM, Compensation & Security)

Location: Remote - United States

Duration: 12 months with possible extensions

Onsite Requirements: Fully remote

Work Requirements: Must be located in the United States

Compensation Range: $90 - 100 per hour

Employment Type: Contract

Workday HCM Workstream Lead to own the HCM workstream end to end, with a focus on Core HCM, Compensation, and Security.

This is a hands-on leadership role requiring deep Workday expertise, strong consulting experience, and the ability to guide stakeholders through design decisions, configuration, testing, and optimization. The ideal candidate will serve as a trusted advisor, proactively identify gaps, recommend solutions, and help the internal team become more confident and self-sufficient in Workday.

Experience supporting nonprofit organizations, lean internal Workday teams, or high-touch consulting environments is highly preferred.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the HCM workstream, including planning, priorities, deliverables, and stakeholder communication.
• Own the design, configuration, and optimization of Core HCM, Compensation, and Security.
• Configure organizational structures, job profiles, positions, staffing models, worker lifecycle processes, and business processes.
• Design and maintain compensation plans, grades, packages, eligibility rules, and compensation processes.
• Manage Workday security groups, domain and business process security policies, role assignments, and appropriate access controls.
• Lead testing, troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, Workday release support, and ongoing optimization.
• Coordinate with downstream workstreams, including Payroll, Benefits, Time Tracking, Absence, Talent, Recruiting, Integrations, and Reporting.
• Advise stakeholders, translate business needs into scalable Workday solutions, and provide hands-on guidance and knowledge transfer.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of Workday Core HCM experience with strong hands-on configuration expertise.
• Active Workday HCM certification required.
• Prior experience working for a Workday Certified Services Partner is a must.
• Extensive configuration experience across Core HCM, Compensation, and Security.
• Strong understanding of Workday architecture, organizational structures, staffing models, worker lifecycle processes, and business process configuration.
• Experience configuring compensation plans, grades, packages, eligibility rules, security groups, and security policies.
• Understanding of dependencies between Core HCM and downstream Workday functional areas.
• Proven ability to lead stakeholders, drive decisions, manage deliverables, and resolve complex functional issues.
• Excellent communication skills and a consultative approach to client guidance, education, and problem-solving.
• Flexibility to support increased hours during critical project periods, as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting nonprofit or mission-driven organizations.
• Experience working with lean HRIS or Workday teams requiring hands-on guidance.
• Experience with Workday implementations and post-production support.
• Additional expertise in Payroll, Benefits, Time Tracking, Absence, Talent, Recruiting, Reporting, or Integrations.
• Experience with Workday releases, regression testing, calculated fields, dashboards, and system optimization.