Workday Lead, Hybrid Role

Ciena; New Providence (NJ); Hybrid; USD 105,000 - 168,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

401(K) USA with company matching

Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Paid holidays, sick leave, andVacation

Job summary

Ciena, a global leader in high-speed connectivity, is hiring a Workday Lead to advance technology, automation, and AI across People & Culture. You will translate business needs into practical Workday solutions, collaborating with stakeholders and delivering scalable, user-centered outcomes.

This hybrid role spans multiple geographies, with salary ranges reflecting location. You will drive automation, privacy, and security guardrails while shaping a robust HRIS landscape for a global workforce.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Human Resources, Business Administration, Information Technology, or related field.
• 5+ years of enterprise HRIS experience, including Workday configuration.
• Experience with automation, AI solutions, and People & Culture applications such as applicant tracking, learning, or compensation systems.

Responsibilities

• Partner with stakeholders to assess processes, define requirements, and identify technology improvements.
• Analyze complex needs and recommend scalable, compliant, user-centered solutions.
• Prioritize opportunities to use Microsoft 365 Copilot, automation, AI, Workday, and other tools.
• Collaborate with Workday analysts and IT Employee Services on requirements, integrations, configuration, and end-to-end solutions.
• Apply privacy, legal, security, and ethical guardrails to automation and AI solutions.
• Manage multiple initiatives in a fast-paced environment with sound judgment and customer focus.
• Recommend process and technology improvements for global teams across 37+ countries.

Skills

HRIS expertise

Automation & AI

Applicant tracking

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in HR/Business IT

Tools

Workday configuration

Microsoft 365 Copilot

Job description

As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena builds the critical infrastructure powering the AI era. We're a technology company shaping the future of networking, guided by innovation, integrity, and collaboration. Through development opportunities, meaningful work, and flexibility, Ciena supports growth and well-being-on and off the job. Connect with a career that matters.

The Workday Lead advances technology, automation, and artificial intelligence to deliver measurable, scalable, and compliant value for employees across Ciena's global organization. Reporting to the Director, People & Culture Technology, this role translates business needs into practical solutions that improve operational efficiency and the employee experience. Collaboration with People & Culture Centres of Excellence, Project Managers, Workday analysts, and the IT Employee Services team enables effective, user-centred technology solutions.

For this opportunity, we are looking for someone who can work hybrid from one of our key hub locations in either Ottawa, Atlanta, Maryland, or New Jersey. Given this you will see different salary ranges posted based on those geographies.

How you will make an impact:

• Partner with People & Culture stakeholders to assess processes, define requirements, and identify technology improvements.
• Analyze complex needs and fragmented processes and recommend scalable, compliant, user-centred solutions.
• Prioritize opportunities to use Microsoft 365 Copilot, automation, AI, Workday, and other tools to simplify work and decisions.
• Collaborate with Workday analysts and IT Employee Services on requirements, integrations, configuration, and end-to-end solutions.
• Apply privacy, legal, security, and ethical guardrails to automation and AI solutions.
• Manage multiple initiatives in a fast-paced environment using sound judgment, creative problem-solving, and customer focus.
• Recommend process and technology improvements independently for global teams across more than 37 countries.

The must haves:

• Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent education in Human Resources, Business Administration, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Experience: 5+ years of enterprise HRIS experience, including Workday configuration.
• Experience with automation, AI solutions, and People & Culture applications such as applicant tracking, learning, or compensation systems.

Nice to haves:

• Experience in a Human Resources or People & Culture function.
• Workday HCM, Reporting, and Security experience.
• Experience with Microsoft 365 Copilot or similar enterprise AI and automation tools.
• Experience developing change management, process, or training materials.

Pay Ranges:

For Ottawa, ON the salary range is $84, 400 - $134, 800 CAD.

For Maryland and Atlanta locations the salary range is $91, 300 - $145, 900

For New Jersey, the salary range is $105, 000 - $167, 800 USD.

Pay ranges at Ciena are designed to accommodate variations in knowledge, skills, experience, market conditions, and locations, reflecting our diverse products, industries, and lines of business. Please note that the pay range information provided in this posting pertains specifically to the primary location, which is the top location listed in case multiple locations are available.

Non-Sales employees may be eligible for a discretionary incentive bonus, while Sales employees may be eligible for a sales commission. In addition to competitive compensation, Ciena offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, participation in 401(K) (USA) & DCPP (Canada) with company matching, Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), company-paid holidays, paid sick leave, and vacation time. We also comply with all applicable laws regarding Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence.
At Ciena, we are committed to building and fostering an environment in which our employees feel respected, valued, and heard. Ciena values the diversity of its workforce and respects its employees as individuals. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination.

Ciena is anEqual Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.

If contacted in relation to a job opportunity, please advise Ciena of any accommodation measures you may require.